Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash, The Holidays Are Here!

Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash
Even though I complain about these busy days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, they are my favorite. The smells, the decorations, the music, the sappy holiday movies; everything. Also, people seem to be more caring and forgiving, if only we could be like this every day. Yesterday we went out and purchased our Christmas tree. It was fun driving home with the windows down and a tree tied to the roof of the car. A rain storm blew through last night completing the perfect day.

Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti squash is healthy and delicious. If you have never tried spaghetti squash before you are in for a real treat. First the squash is cut in half, the seeds removed and then baked upside down in an half inch of water until completely tender. The squash flesh is raked with a fork to create noodles. Next chicken tenders are rolled in an egg wash and panko topping then sautéed in olive oil. The chicken is transferred to a baking dish with marinara sauce and topped with a thin slice of mozzarella cheese, and then baked for another 10 to 15 minutes. To serve top spaghetti squash with marinara and chicken tenders, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Happy Holidays!


yield: 4 to 6print recipe

Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti squash

prep time: 25 MINScook time: 55 MINStotal time: 80 mins
Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti squash is a healthy twist on a classic Italian favorite. If you have never tried spaghetti squash before you are in for a real treat.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 medium organic spaghetti squash (about 2 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko
  • 1 jar marinara (I use about 3/4 of a jar, your preference to add more)
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper, season to taste
  • 1 hand-full fresh basil, torn for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. Rinse outside of squash, pat dry. Cut into half and scoop out seeds. Place cut side down into a large baking dish filled with 1/2 inch water. Bake until tender 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Rake flesh with a fork to create noodles.
  3. In the meantime, in a shallow dish beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. In another shallow dish or plate add the panko. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken and then dip the tenders on both sides with the egg mixture, then dredge both sides into the panko crumb, pressing lightly.
  4. In a large skillet on medium to medium-high heat add oil, when oil is hot add the chicken and cook on both sides until browned about 3 to 5 minutes. (Depending on size)
  5. In a large baking sheet add marinara, then top with chicken and mozzarella. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and marinara is lightly bubbling.
  6. To serve, place spaghetti squash down first, then chicken, a sprinkling of Parmesan and basil. Enjoy!
Created using The Recipes Generator

Comments

  1. I love this time of year, too - so festive, with so much to look forward to! Your chicken dish looks like a great way to warm up after a cold day.

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    1. Thanks Beth, wish this time of year didn't go so fast but that is part of the fun I guess.

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  2. Low carbs, high protein...exactly what I would love for the dinner!

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    1. Thanks Angie, me too! spaghetti squash is so versatile.

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  3. We do love spaghetti squash here and we certainly love chicken parm! Putting them together seems like a great way to enjoy some comfort food while still leaving room for Christmas treats.

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    1. Hi Annemarie, Christmas treats are certainly in order;)

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  4. Oh my ! Cheri, I'm drooling this low carb yummy chicken parmesan dish. Yeah I love this time of the year. Happy holidays to you & family!

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    1. Thanks Karen, happy holidays to you and your family too!!

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  5. Bet this is a really tasty combination. I've yet to try spaghetti squash as it's never available where I am. And this makes me want to buy chicken again (haven't eaten it in a couple of years)...the power of blogging!

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    1. Hi Johnny, to me spaghetti squash is life changing, a great way to substitute carbs. Take care!

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  6. Your chicken parm is just the way I like it! I serve it with pasta for Bill, but I love spaghetti squash for me!! Delish!

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  7. This looks delicious. Have fun decorating your tree. And thanks for all the iinstagram comments.

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  8. Happy Holidays, Cheri:

    This dish looks delicious. I have had trouble finding a way to use the spaghetti squash that comes with our CSA. My search is over. I look forward to trying this.

    Thanks so much.

    D

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    1. Thanks Dena, hope you enjoy this as much as we did. Take care!

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  9. Looks Delicious Cheri! I love Spaghetti Squash, and kind of fun to cook with too. Enjoy your tree and 'sappy' Christmas movies. PS Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is on CBS tonight, lol.

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  10. Chicken parm is one of my fellas' favorite dinner! Yours look scrumptious and having them with spaghetti squash is so smart. I love this time of year. Here's to a very sweet and cozy holiday season!

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  11. I love the idea of pairing spaghetti squash with chicken Parmesan, what a great meal Cheri...thanks for the post.
    Have a wonderful week ahead :)

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  12. I love subbing spaghetti squash for pasta! Save on the calories and carbs and it's delicious. This looks like a terrific dinner to me, Cheri! :)

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    1. Thanks Marcelle, calories certainly add up around the holidays.

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  13. Wasn't that rainstorm just delightful? It was so Nice to hear the rain while falling to sleep.

    Your dish looks like the perfect comfort food for chilly nights like we are having now! I still cannot get Mark to eat spaghetti squash, but I know I can get them to eat the chicken Parmesan!

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    1. Hi David, my husband is not a big fan either, but I love it.

      Loving these cooler days, nothing like the desert after the rain. Take care!

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  14. What a delicious way to serve spaghetti squash. Everyone seems to love Italian!

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    1. Thanks Chris, yes they do, that is my go to when entertaining if I'm not sure what to prepare.

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  15. We just got our tree the other night, too! We were out of town for Thanksgiving, so it was a bit of a rush to try to get the house (mostly) decorated before the work week returned. But we did it! I'd love to see a picture of your tree. As far as this chicken parm...awesome! I seriously love chicken parmesan, and the spaghetti squash twist here is perfect for watching the waistline during the holidays!

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    1. Thanks David, we picked up our tree on Sunday and today is Wednesday and I still have not finished decorating, maybe tomorrow........as far as calories and waistline I agree, tis the season;)

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  16. This is my favorite time of the year! A lot to do, but it's all fun stuff. Anyway, what a nice dish! Spaghetti squash is fun -- and tasty! -- isn't it? This looks terrific -- thanks.

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    1. Thanks John, there is certainly lots to do but your right it is fun stuff.

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  17. Nice recipe, Cheri! Hope you are having a great week ♥

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  18. I'm all in! Love this time of year, especially the sappy movies and wonderful music. I make sure I get good and sick of it by New Years :) Glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving and got the perfect tree. My tree is sitting in the family room adorned only in lights. Maybe tomorrow :) Love this dish - love the squash and can't wait to try it!

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    1. Thanks tricia, I know my tree is not quite finished yet, getting there. Loving all your cookies this time of year.

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  19. I've got a spaghetti squash sitting in my pantry…love the idea of serving it with chicken parmesan.

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    1. Hi Karen, hope you enjoy the squash with the Parmesan as much as we did. Take care!

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  20. I've recently discovered spaghetti squash, really good and your recipe looks wonderful.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thanks Amalia, spaghetti squash is wonderful isn't it.

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  21. I love the sound of this with the squash; perfect for a winter dinner.

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    1. Thanks Caroline, spaghetti squash is delicious. Happy holidays!

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  22. Sounds amazing - and healthy :) Have a great holiday season

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    1. Thanks Phi, wish you and your husband a wonderful Christmas.

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  23. I am really enjoying the Christmas season this year. We got our tree yesterday and it smelled so good. I love spaghetti squash and used to eat it all the time. What a great idea to top it with chicken parmesan , I have to give it a try.

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    1. Hi Gerlinde, Christmas trees smell the best don't they? Happy Holidays!

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  24. I love serving spaghetti squash like pasta! This combo looks delicious.

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  25. I make a similar dish, and it is so delicious! My husband doesn't even mind the spaghetti being squash!

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  26. Spaghetti squash looks to be do-able! Yay! Definitely on my to-make wish list thanks to you, Cheri =) P.s. I'm with you on the sweet sentiment that sings during the holiday season.

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    1. Thanks Kim, hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Loving these days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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  27. i love spaghetti squash and actually greatly prefer it to pasta! this looks perfectly comforting and delicious. :)

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  28. Mmm, looks amazing, I love chicken parmesan!

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  29. This recipe was super easy and had great flavor. I do agree with some of the other commenters though - this was too sweet for my taste. I'd probably use a quarter of the white sugar. Otherwise a great dish, I will definitely be making again! I think I may even add some chick peas or kale next time. :)
    Regards: Eve Hunt

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