Chicken Parmesan and Wheat Spaghetti

I don't know what is going with the weather these days. We are in May and it feels like October. Yesterday the winds were up to almost 50mph. Tree branches down everywhere and right in the middle of making breakfast, the power went out UGH!!!
With this weather there is nothing better then a hot comfy meal like Chicken Parmesan. I tried to make this recipe slightly lighter on the hips.


Chicken Parmesan and Wheat Spaghetti

6 skinless boneless chicken breast
1 sleeve of unsalted saltines crackers
4 slices of whole wheat bread
2 tbsp wheat germ
tsp garlic powder
pepper
salt
italian seasoning
flour
2 eggs and water (for egg wash)
extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 medium onion (chopped)
fresh mozzarella (must be fresh)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
16 oz can plum tomatoes
1 box wheat spaghetti (I use Barilla)


Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Add saltine crackers and wheat bread to food processor and pulse until crumbs are fine. Slice chicken breast in half and then flatten breast to make for thin cutlets. Add italian seasonings, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and wheat germ to bread crumbs. Prepare breading station with flour, egg wash, and bread crumbs. Dredge cutlet in flour, then dip in egg wash and finally in bread crumbs.
Once all cutlets are breaded add olive oil to saute pan (enough to coat bottom of pan).
Heat olive oil and add cutlets and brown on both sides (about 3 mins per side) and set aside. Add more olive oil to pan then add chopped onions and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes to onions. Smash tomatoes to create a chunky sauce and simmer until sauce thickens (about 8 mins).
In a large casserole dish add some sauce to the bottom of the dish and assemble cutlets placing a slice of mozzarella cheese on each cutlet and top off with a little sauce. Place Chicken Parmesan in oven until cheese is melted and bubbly. In the meantime, cook spaghetti according to pkg..........I like mine al dente. Toss spaghetti with remaining sauce and serve with Chicken Parmesan and a tossed salad. Enjoy!!!