Why, Yes, It is Chicken Parmesan With Red Pepper Marinara Sauce!

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (the jarred stuff works great)

• 1 (28 ounce) can of plain crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon oregano or Italian spices
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (adjust this to your tastes)
• 1/4-1/2 cup roasted red pepper, chopped
• ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 chicken breasts, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups crushed crackers (like Ritz or Club crackers)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into four slices
• 1/4 cup roasted red pepper (about six strips)
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• butter (for browning the chicken and garlic)

Directions

1. 1

   SAUCE: Put a medium saucepan over medium heat with some butter, and add the crushed/chopped garlic. Stir it around for about thirty seconds to brown it a little bit and wake up the flavor.

2. 2

   Open the can of tomatoes and dump them in, juice and all. **If you like a chunky or dry sauce, remove a few tablespoons of the liquid---not ALL of it!

3. 3

   Add the oregano/various Italian seasonings, salt, sugar, red peppers, and ground black pepper. Stir everything together and bring to a boil; lower the heat to medium-low, or until the sauce is just simmering. Stir it whenever you remember to.

4. 4

   CHICKEN: Pound the chicken breasts until they're about 1/4" thick (3/4 cm).

5. 5

   Mix the crackers and the oregano in a bowl, then dip the chicken into the mixture, pressing the crumbs into the meat as you go.

6. 6

   In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter, then add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes on each side, or until the crumbs are a light brown-gold and the meat is almost done. Turn off the heat, but leave the pan on the burner.

7. 7

   Put 2 slices of mozzarella on each breast (heh) and cover the pan with a lid of some sort. Let it sit for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

8. 8

   Put the chicken onto the serving plates and top each with three slices of red pepper and a shibbityshake of Parmesan, then pour some of the marinara sauce on top of everything.

9. 9

   Use the rest of the sauce on pasta and breadsticks.