Fastest and Easiest Chicken Parmesan

 I can't in good conscience call this a recipe since really it's just assembling a bunch of nearly ready made ingredients. BUT my mom was a full time working mom and growing up we often made this easy, cheat chicken parmesan for week night dinners.  It's a tradition of sorts that I've continued with my own family. 

I fully admit they prefer when I make "real" chicken parm. with fresh chicken breasts and bread them myself but there are times I just can not be bothered by all that. Enter my mom's fast and easy chicken parm. 

You only need a handful of ingredients:

Ready made chicken patties (I use Boca Chick'n patties for myself)

Jar of your favorite pasta sauce

Box of spaghetti 

Mozzarella cheese


First lay out the chicken patties on a cookie sheet and cook according to the package directions.


While chicken is heating in the oven cook up the spaghetti according to the directions on the package and heat up the pasta sauce in a separate pan. 

Once chicken is cooked, add a spoonful or two of the pasta sauce to each patty and top with cheese.


I find slices are easiest but shredded works too!

I pop the pan under the broiler for just a few minutes to melt/brown the cheese.



Then serve them up with a side of spaghetti and sauce.  We always eat ours with a side of salad but you could easily heat a bag of frozen, prepared vegetables to go with it too.  

The entire meal takes less than 30 minutes so it's perfect for those busy nights. 
 

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Comments

  1. Maria RineerOctober 16, 2023 at 5:51 AM

    Looks perfect for busy nights! I can see how homemade tastes better but convenience can´t be overlooked on busy days and making something like this is way healthier than getting take out or fast food from a restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kim CarberryOctober 16, 2023 at 6:16 AM

    Ohh! Yum! Why have I never thought of this before! It's so simple and I know my family would love it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!October 16, 2023 at 6:51 AM

    We all have our fall back "menu", somedays I have granola...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 17, 2023 at 3:50 PM

      I often eat fruit/yogurt/ granola or just a garden salad for dinner when I don't know what to cook or I don't have time to prepare anything.

      Delete
  4. HollyOctober 16, 2023 at 7:07 AM

    Oh yum- looks delish!

    ReplyDelete
  5. JenniferOctober 16, 2023 at 11:21 AM

    Ah, I used to make these often when my children were little. And have totally forgotten about them. They sound really tasty right about now....with a nice side of spaghetti. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 17, 2023 at 3:51 PM

      I had forgotten about them for years too and just recently brought them back to the family.

      Delete
  6. Kari October 16, 2023 at 11:47 AM

    JOANNE! This is such a good idea! My husband loves chicken parmesan. I am making this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. PamelaOctober 16, 2023 at 12:42 PM

    I used to love Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Cooking show and magazines. This looks like one of her recipes, Italian style. So great for a busy weeknight dinner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 17, 2023 at 3:51 PM

      Yes, I used a lot of semi-homemade meals when the boys were little.

      Delete
  8. Nancy 's Fashion StyleOctober 16, 2023 at 3:19 PM

    Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jodie's Touch of StyleOctober 16, 2023 at 4:43 PM

    I call this a smart way to make dinner.
    XOXO
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Laura BOctober 16, 2023 at 7:37 PM

    Looks great! Thanks for sharing! It's always nice to have a few meal ideas like this for those busy nights!

    ReplyDelete
  11. MarshaOctober 16, 2023 at 8:28 PM

    Gosh! I wish I'd had this when my kids were little and always clamoring for food! Nice and easy. Thanks for sharing, Joanne!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousOctober 17, 2023 at 2:05 PM

    Joanne, I love this idea of using the chicken patties for chicken parm. I love these types of easy week night meals. I will have to make this sometime for dinner. Julie’s Creative Lifestyle

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jennifer WiseOctober 17, 2023 at 7:22 PM

    I LOVE how simple this is! And delicious, of course. Pinning. :) Visiting from Tell it To Me Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dee | GrammysGrid.comOctober 18, 2023 at 8:10 AM

    Looks quick and easy. Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 134. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  15. PaulaShort October 19, 2023 at 9:01 AM

    I'm all about easy Joanne, and this is right up my alley.
    Visiting today from TTMT #21&22

    ReplyDelete
  16. onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.comOctober 20, 2023 at 12:20 PM

    This is such a great idea. Totally a recipe in my book!! Going to look for the Boca chick'n. Thank you for making our lives easier.

    ReplyDelete
  17. GinaOctober 20, 2023 at 5:46 PM

    I used to do this for my family, too. But I always mixed the sauce with the pasta so I didn't have leftover naked sketti.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gardening HelenOctober 23, 2023 at 12:50 PM

    This is my kind of recipe!! Quick and EASY! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party - Hope you have a fabulous week!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousOctober 26, 2023 at 10:32 AM

    Visiting from Full Plate Thursday #664 :) What a great idea for a simple and delicious dinner!

    ReplyDelete

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