This was something I, literally, just threw together.  And it worked!  I guess I am having a hard time letting go of all of that Holliday comfort food.  I dream about it. And, it is just too cold here in South East Idaho right now to be swayed in other culinary directions. Maybe it is the frigid temperatures that keep me running to the pantry for the carbohydrates.  I do feel a little guilty using the pasta sauce in a jar.  In the summer I like to grow tomatoes and create my own to freeze and use during the winter months.  It did not happen this year. But Amy’s does a good job with a lot of things, in my opinion.  And in the end, if it tastes good, it tastes good!

Ingredients:

–          3 Large Chicken breasts (cut into 12 flat portions)

–          1 Lb. Ziti noodles (boiled according to pkg. directions -2min)

–          1 Jar. Organic Pasta Sauce (I used Amy’s)

–          8 oz. Shredded, + 8oz. thick sliced Mozzarella

–          8 oz. Shredded Fontina

–          1c. panko

–          ½ c. grated Parmesan

–          1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning

–          1-2 eggs beaten

–          Olive Oil

–          S & P

Instructions:

 Pat portioned chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.  Season chicken breast portions with salt and pepper. Mix parmesan, panko, and Italian seasoning together in shallow bowl. Dredge each chicken portion in egg, then in panko mixture.  Fry coated chicken in ~3-4 Tbsp. olive oil (in sauté pan) for 1-2 min on each side.  You are looking for a nice golden brown color (Chicken will finish cooking in the oven).  Toss cooked pasta in a large bowl with pasta sauce, 8 oz shredded Mozzarella, and 8 oz. shredded Fontina.  Pour pasta mixture into a greased 9” x 13” casserole dish.  Top with fried chicken portions.  Top the chicken portions with sliced Mozzarella.  Bake in 350° oven, uncovered, for 30 min.  Remove from oven, let rest for 10 min. EAT!