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Easy Chicken Parmesan Two Ways

Posted in Gluten Free

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Chicken Parmesan Leftovers

Do you wish that mealtime could be a little easier? Do you need to make one meal stretch into at least two meals? Do you like fix-it-and-forget-it meals? My gluten free chicken parmesan two ways may be just what you need.

When Valentine’s Day rolls around, I know that I’m going to be making chicken parmesan for my family. I’ve been making it for Valentine’s Day for 20 or so years. There may have been a year here or there that I missed due to deployments or illness, but for the most part, it’s a staple at our house. This year, I thought it would be fun to make a version that could be used more than one way for more than one meal.

I should note that Munchkin goes back and forth on liking and not liking chicken parmesan, so she always has the option to just enjoy the pasta. Kids can be funny when it comes to food, and I find it easier to pick my battles when it comes to food. Plus, if she doesn’t eat the chicken parmesan, there is more for D and me later.

While I planned on only making a 2-way chicken parmesan, I ended up making it three different ways. I figured that since I had all of the ingredients, I might as well make up extra meals for later. Since I pack D a lunch every day, it’s always good to have a few extra meals stashed away for an easy meal. At 5:30 in the morning, I don’t want to have to think about putting together a new meal. I want an easy grab-and-go meal.

Chicken Parmesan made in the slow cooker is a perfect way to enjoy a delicious, easy meal one day and yummy leftovers the next.

Bertolli® is my go-to pasta sauce as is evidenced by the stash I have in my pantry. It has a delicious, authentic Tuscan flavor that my family loves. There is something comforting about using a brand that values using quality, fresh ingredients. It’s not surprising given the fact that Bertolli® started back in 1865 with a little shop in Lucca, Tuscany which was focused on local foods.

In the morning, I pour half a jar of organic Bertolli® marinara sauce into the bottom of my slow cooker. I then place 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the sauce which are then topped with the remaining sauce. I turn the slow cooker on low and go about my day as usual.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy using the slow cooker as it means less time at the stove which is great especially on a busy day. On days that are less busy, I like to make my gluten free baked chicken parmesan, but I don’t get as many leftovers out of that method of cooking. Since I needed to build up my meal stash, I decided that my slow cooker chicken parmesan would be used for lunches the next few days, and the stove top chicken parmesan would be for today’s meal.

Once the chicken breasts in the slow cooker are completely cooked, I pull out a couple of the chicken breast and top them with cheese. They are hot enough that the cheese melts easily on top of them. The remaining chicken breasts are shredded and topped with cheese in the slow cooker. I use an Italian cheese blend this time around, but I’ll often just use mozzarella and parmesan cheese. At this point, turn the slow cooker to warm as the cheese just needs to melt.

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

While the cheese is melting, quickly cook up some gluten free pasta or veggies to go with the chicken parmesan. I like to mix a little of the sauce directly into the cooked pasta, and then top with additional sauce. I place the chicken parmesan on the bed of pasta. To make dinner prep a little faster, I have all of the fixings for a salad all prepped ahead of time and stored in my Rubbermaid® Brilliance™ containers. It doesn’t take long to pull the meal together and serve everyone their meal.

Once dinner is over, and everyone has had their fill. I begin my meal prep for the next day. The pasta is divided up into the Rubbermaid® Brilliance™ containers and topped with the chicken parmesan. While I love glass storage containers, we’ve had multiple incidents over the last few months with them getting broken very easily, so I switched gears to these containers. They’re durable which means no more broken glass or food all over the floor when they fall, and I don’t have to worry about them leaking (which was another issue with our previous containers). When stacked in the fridge, it’s easy to see what is in them. Bonus – the pasta sauce doesn’t stain the containers!

Utilizing Rubbermaid Brilliance container for leftovers makes meal prep a little easier.

The shredded chicken parmesan is stored in its own container, so I can make chicken parmesan sandwiches. Since I ended up making more than I had originally planned, I was able to put aside several different meals for D. I only keep a couple of days’ worth of meals in the fridge, the rest of the meals go into the freezer to allow for longer storage. If you know you’re going to put the pasta in the freezer, I recommend under cooking it slightly as it heats up a little better this way.

Shopping for Rubbermaid Brilliance containers and Bertolli pasta sauce at Walmart

Since the Rubbermaid® Brilliance™ premium storage containers are a new innovation at Walmart, we found our local Walmart was a little low on inventory, but they assured me that they would be restocking soon. Before you head to your own Walmart, make sure you select your ibotta rebate offers for the Rubbermaid® Brilliance™ containers as well as the Bertolli® pasta sauce before heading to Walmart. Currently, there are offers for $5.00 the 10 piece Rubbermaid® Brilliance™ set, $2.00 off individual Rubbermaid® Brilliance™ containers, and $0.75 off Bertolli® pasta sauce (either red or white sauce).

Head over to savy meal solutions to get more meal prep ideas.

What is your biggest hurdle when it comes to meal prep or leftovers?

Easy Chicken Parmesan Two Ways

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Easy Chicken Parmesan Two Ways

Ingredients

  • 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 jars of Bertolli® pasta sauce
  • seasoning (I generally use garlic, pepper, salt, oregano, parsley, basil.)
  • shredded Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. In the morning, pour half a jar of Bertolli® pasta sauce in the slow cooker.
  2. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
  3. Generously sprinkle the chicken breasts with your desired seasoning.
  4. Pour the rest of the jar of marinara sauce over the chicken breasts.
  5. Shortly before serving, remove the chicken breasts you'll be using for dinner and top with cheese.
  6. Shred the remainder of the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and add additional sauce if needed.
  7. Top with shredded cheese and lower temperature on slow cooker to warm until the cheese is melted.

Notes

Total cook time for thawed chicken is between 5 and 6 hours on low. You can serve this on a plate with veggies or place a chicken breast on top of pasta for a more hearty meal. Store leftovers in the fridge or place in freezer for long-term storage. Make shredded chicken Parmesan sandwiches with the leftovers. Make sure you melt a little more Parmesan over the shredded chicken and toast the bread. You could also use hoagie rolls.

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35 Comments

  1. robin Rue
    robin Rue

    Chicken parm is one of the few meals that everyone in my family likes! I make it often because I know they will all enjoy it 🙂

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  2. This looks so easy! I love my slow cooker but never thought to do Chicken parm in it!

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  3. Great gluten-free option! I’m going to have to give this a try!

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  4. I do love chicken parmesan. I haven’t had it in a while. I need to try out this recipe. I am sure it is good.

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  5. Loving the idea of chicken parm on bread…sounds delicious! So many great ways to stretch a meal! #client

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  6. That look so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  7. I love chicken Parmesan! These containers are awesome! I need to get some asap. Ours are stained up and awful.
    Joanna recently posted..Lemon Zucchini BreadMy Profile

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  8. I never think to make chicken parm. Your recipe looks simple enough, I should give it a try. So yummy!

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  9. Debra
    Debra

    One of our favorite dishes at our house, these recipes look easy and I like easy dinners!

    February 13, 2017
    |Reply
  10. Ana
    Ana

    Oh my god it looks so good and I love that it is gluten free as well. Bertolli is delicious I agree it makes any dish taste amazing!

    February 14, 2017
    |Reply
  11. Tereza
    Tereza

    Oh I love chicken with parmesan!! I’ve never tried a recipe like this one so putting it on the list:) x

    February 14, 2017
    |Reply
  12. My family and I love this dish but we have never tried it with Chicken breast before so I will make sure to try out your recipe. Thanks!

    February 14, 2017
    |Reply
  13. This is a meal that I love but have never made at home, I will have to try your recipe and see if I can make it taste as delicious as yours looks!

    February 14, 2017
    |Reply
  14. As a military wife who could barely handle her busy schedule I am truly glad I came across your post. This gluten free chicken parmesan sounds so healthy and delicious! I will definitely try your recipe so me and my hubby can taste it. Thank you so much!
    Angela Ricardo recently posted..Confident and Sultry with Wacoal Embrace LaceMy Profile

    February 14, 2017
    |Reply
  15. I havent had Chicken Parmesan in a long time. This looks delish and I like the containers.

    February 14, 2017
    |Reply
  16. Rojielyn
    Rojielyn

    delicious and nutritious recipe. i love chicken breast because it is healthy. thank you for this.

    February 15, 2017
    |Reply
  17. Reesa Lewandowski
    Reesa Lewandowski

    Bertolli is my favorite sauce brand. My family loves chicken parm, it’s my go to chicken meal honestly.

    February 15, 2017
    |Reply
  18. This looks delicious! I love the idea to make an extra meal for later but also switching it up a bit so that things aren’t too repetitive.
    Tabitha Shakespeare recently posted..Happy Valentine’s Day!My Profile

    February 15, 2017
    |Reply
  19. Such amazing recipe ideas!! Thank you so much for sharing. Chicken is huge in our household so I am always thinking of ideas of how to make it.
    xox Nadia
    www,mielandmint.com

    February 16, 2017
    |Reply
  20. Brittany
    Brittany
    Twitter:

    This looks delicious! My family loves chicken park and I’d love to change tbup a bit. I can’t wait to try this out!

    February 17, 2017
    |Reply
  21. That chicken Parmesan looks wonderful. That is definitely something we don’t eat often that we should. Yum!

    February 17, 2017
    |Reply
  22. We have a variation on this dish in the North of England: it’s called a parmo and is a regional speciality! Your recipe looks delicious.

    February 17, 2017
    |Reply

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