Fake Fried Chicken

...the bird is the word...

Ingedients:

4 skinless, bonless chicken breasts

2 cups buttermilk

Butter or cooking spray

1/2 cup dried bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and ground black pepper

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Process:

1. Trim the chicken breast of any fat, cartilage, or underside flaps. Sandwich the breasts between 2 squares of plastic wrap or waxed paper. Now, here's the fun part: Using a small mallet or the bottom of a small heavy frying pan, pound the breast to a 1/4-inch thickness.

2. Pour the butermilk into a large Ziploc bag or a glass baking dish large enough to hold the chicken. Soak the breasts in the buttermilk for 20 minutes (any additional time is not necessary, byt won't hurt, either).

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Rub a baking pan with buter or coat with cooking spray.

4. Mix the crumbs and cheese with a little salt and pepper on a large plate. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off any excess. Toss the breasts into the crumb mixture, one at a time, pressing on the crumbs with your fingers.

5. Place the coated chicken pieces in the baking pan; drizzle the butter over the tops. Bake until crispy and deep golden brown, about 50 minutes.

Serves: 4