Parmesan Swiss Chicken

Oil for frying – about 1/2 – 3/4 cup

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts – about 4-5 oz each

3/4 cup Seasoned Parmesan cheese, the jar type

1/4 tsp garlic 

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices bacon- cooked, crumbled
1 egg beaten

1 tablespoon water
Broccoli

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small shallow bowl, mix egg and water.  In another shallow bowl, mix cheese, pepper, salt and garlic.  Heat oil over medium high heat using a frying pan suitable for oven use.  Dip each piece of chicken first in egg mixture then in cheese mixture.  Fry in hot oil until crust is golden brown.  Prepare a baking pan by covering with foil and placing wire rack on top.  Place chicken on rack and bake about 20 minutes or until juices run clear.  Strain the grease from the frying pan leaving browned Parmesan that came from cooking chicken.  Add broccoli and toss to coat. Cook in oven until broccoli is done but still has a slight crunch.   Remove chicken and broccoli from oven.  Place chicken in an 8 x 8 x 2 baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray.  Sprinkle Broccoli around chicken.  Place 1 piece of cheese on each piece of chicken.  Top each with 1/4 of the bacon.  Return to oven and allow cheese to melt, about 5 minutes.  Serves 4.

Martha:  I think I found the original recipe on Fridgg.  Wherever it was it caught my eye and I decided to give it a try.  I did my usual and made a couple of changes.  First, the Parmesan was plain, I used seasoned.  It called for Asiago cheese which I changed to Swiss.  And the broccoli was my idea completely.  When I saw the bits of cheese that had come off while frying my chicken I just couldn't let it go to waste.  I knew I liked cheese on my broccoli so it became the perfect blend.  I also did my final cooking a little different from the original recipe.  I put my chicken into another dish (in my case individual dishes but give you instructions for using the 8 x 8). The original called for broiling the cheese on the chicken while still on the rack, I didn't broil but just let it stay in the oven for the last 5 minutes.  This dish came out with so much flavor.  If you like chicken and Swiss, you must give this one a try.  It's a pretty dish too!

Comment from Food Tester Carol:  First of all, this is a very attractice dish.  Chicken crusted in herbed parmesan crumbs with Swiss cheese melted on top reminds me a little of a schnitzel, which I love.  The broccoli is also dredged in these tasty crumb mix before roasting.  Altogether delicious!