Let’s dive into the cooking process. Remember, it’s about enjoying the journey as much as the destination.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a shallow dish, combine Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. In another shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk. Place flour in a separate plate.
4. Dip each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess. Then, dip in the egg mixture, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
6. Top each chicken breast with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes.
8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving, if desired.

Cooking is about intuition. If it feels right, it probably is. Just like with my dad’s big pots of lentils, a touch of instinct goes a long way.