Best Chicken Parmigiana: Comfort Food at Its Finest

623 Shares Are you in the mood for a tasty and hearty Italian meal that will make you wish you had more? Chicken Parmigiana – The ever popular favourite of anyone and everyone. Best Ever Chicken Parmesan Tender and juicy chicken breasts, lightly breaded and cooked in a pan until golden brown, smothered with red sauce, and topped with melted cheese. This means you get a delicious mash-up of flavors and textures that is sure to blow your taste buds away.

For anyone that loves an Italian, or is after some good old fashioned comfort food, Parmigiana will always deliver. Spoon it over al dente spaghetti or fresh green salad, and serve for a healthy and hearty meal. It came from southern Italy, but it is being celebrated around the world, and it is no surprise why. Both are a perfect option for comfortable weeknight dinners as well as showcasing at special occasions, hometogel login Chicken Parmigiana is old classic nevertheless always a favorite! So why wait? Read all about flavors and lets make this awesome dish!

What is Chicken Parmigiana?

Chicken parmesan (or chicken parmigiana) is a simple and all-time classic Italian-American dish featuring breaded and pan-fried crispy chicken filet slathered with homemade, tangy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. It is a meaningful and delicious dish whose importance has made his way to kitchens and places to eat all in excess of the planet.

A good Chicken Parmigiana starts with a chicken that is moist and tender on the inside finished off with a delicious crisp breadcrumb coating on the outside. With one bite, the luscious tomato sauce and delicious melted cheese flavours really hit the spot, working hand in hand with the poultry. Served alone or atop some pasta, Parmigiana is a crowd pleaser.

It combines the best when it comes to textures and flavors and a good example of this is the Parmigiana. You get the crunch from the exterior of the chicken which pairs well with the melted, stretchy cheese, then that juicy sauce adds a burst of freshness. You typically bake or casserole this dish in the oven to let all the flavors marry together and it make the most glorious, comforting meal on the planet.

While Chicken Parmigiana originally was based of a recipe from Italy, it has changed through the years to accommodate for different track of tastebuds. From different breading to a variety of cheeses, Chicken Parmigiana can be made in accordance with likes and dislikes.

History

Parmigiana, chicken parmesan, or simply “chicken parm” can claim Southern Italy as its birthplace where it is a variation of the larger and more famous Parmigiana classically made with Eggplant rather than chicken. There are any number of variations on the dish, which has its roots in the concept of ‘melanzane alla parmigiana’ – essentially slices of fried eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese – and dates back many, many centuries to different parts of Italy.

Chicken was added as a replacement for eggplant and was reportedly inspired by Italian immigrants who arrived in the United States taking their recipe with them. Soon Chicken Parmigiana became so popular in Italian-American communities that it slowly trickled into restaurants from New York to California.

The title Parmigiana comes from the Italian dialect expression parmigiana, which means “parmesan-like”. While we cannot pinpoint the exact creation of Chicken Parmigiana, its popularity over the years confirms that it is one of the finest fusions between Italian flavors and American-style cooking.

Nowadays, Parmigiana is a dish found on menus in Italian eateries worldwide, each adding their own twist to the original recipe. Packed with an abundance of great taste, whether we are talking about a simple and comforting home-cooked meal or an exquisite culinary plate in an upscale restaurant, Chicken Parmigiana remains a favorite among foodies.

How to Make Traditional Italian Parmigiana

The classic Italian Chicken Parmigiana recipe is a simple, yet very delicious meal using good ingredients to excel. Chicken Parmigiana Ingredients 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, eggs, breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, herbs and spices. The starting point is to pound the chicken breasts so that they are an even thickness to ensure they are cooked evenly. Next, a dip into beaten eggs and breaded with well-spiced bread crumbs and fried till golden and lovely.

After the chicken cutlets are cooked, some tomato sauce is ladled on top, followed by a lot of mozzarella cheese and some parm. Finally, the casserole is baked in the oven until the cheese is melty and bubbly with a cheesy lid. The result is a delicious, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that goes great with either pasta or a side salad. Chicken Parmigiana has the perfect blend of flavours that this recipe makes the dish more than worth the time it takes to prepare it. Staub is another favorite of both home cooks and chefs for its simple yet deep flavor.

Different Regions Versions of Chicken Parmigiana

Although the classic recipe called Parmigiana, Italian, is still a favorite, the dish has so many variations from all over the world that I will never stop looking for great Chicken Parmesan recipes. A Chicken Parmigiana or “Chicken Parma” in Australia is a staple pub dish of a bigger chicken schnitzel topped with ham, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. This dish is typically a more hearty take on the classic, served with chips and a side salad to create a favourite meal for any event.

Over here in the US, it is typically served with a side of spaghetti or a salad, as Americans love their large, heavy meals. Different versions of the dish include different ingredients in the breadcrumb coating, which can then fry up into an extra layer of crunch on the chicken. Then there’s Chicken Parmigiana, a much-loved comfort food in the U.K., available in many a pub and restaurant. In the UK, the dish is commonly a grilled or crispy breaded chicken fillet topped with a rich tomato sauce and all covered in molten cheddar cheese, giving a comforting and hearty eating experience.

Tips to Prepare Parmigiana

The method of baking Chicken Parmigiana to perfection involves dedication and certain tips and tricks to guarantee that your Chicken Parmigiana turns delicious every time. But pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness is the one step which, in my opinion, signs, seals and delivers the most tender and juicy results. The login of chicken, to breadcrumbs and then to tomato sauce and seasoning each element to well round the flavors is another trick.

Now you need to press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken as you are breading it in order for the report to make the coating crisp and stick on better during frying. Deep fry the chicken in hot oil until it is golden brown in color, the only way to get the texture and taste we want. Lastly, incorporating fresh herbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sauce made with fresh tomato will only serve to heighten the flavour of the dish. Lastly, allowing the Chicken Parmigiana to sit for a few minutes after coming out of the oven takes the flavors to a whole new level and ensures every bite is the perfect bite!

Sides and Sauces

Our chicken parmigiana goes well with so many sides and sauces to enhance its complex and hearty taste. A chicken and pasta meal waiting to happen that will rock your world….in the form of Chicken Parmigiana served with a side of spaghetti in marinara sauce. Crisp vinaigrette-dressed greens sparkle against the luxurious richness of the main event, providing a crispy cool moment of clarity on the palate.

To bulk this up a little more, you could serve it with garlic bread or some roast vegetables. The penultimate flavor is tomatoes and cheese that go beautifully with a glass of red wine especially a Chianti or Merlot enriching your overall experience. Plus, aioli or pesto dipping sauces can also give a Chicken Parmigiana an extra depth of flavor, creating a personalized meal for each person at the table.

Chicken Parmigiana with a Twist

Chicken Parmigiana is a divine classic, but it can be quite the meal, so here’s an adapted version that’s both low carb and lighter. If you want to cut down on some of the unhealthy saturated and trans fats, consider a healthier alternative involving breading and baking the chicken cutlets instead of frying them. By baking the chicken, you are still left with the crispy coating without all of the added calories.

You can also just use a mix of whole wheat breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese for the breading – increasing the fiber and lowering the amount of refined carbs in the dish. Choosing part skim mozzarella cheese and a light tomato sauce can lower the fat content of Chicken Parmigiana. Easy swaps and changes to the classic recipe mean you can still enjoy Chicken Parmigiana HEALTHIER without losing ANY flavour or satisfaction!

This dish can be found in popular restaurants

Psst: Chicken Parmigiana can be seen as a Whore of a Dish, sitting on menus from down and dirty American diners to cosy Italian trattorias, all over the globe. A few places with great Chicken Parmigiana that have really caught the attention of many food freaks around the world include an Italian-American restaurant chain called Maggiano’s Little Italy known for its authentic, generous portions and tasty foods. Featuring an oversized and ultra-comforting serving of crispy chicken smothered in marinara sauce and melted cheese, Maggiano’s take on Chicken Parmigiana is served with a side of pasta, of course.

Olive Garden, an Italian restaurant chain, is also famous for its Chicken Parmigiana. This is a breaded chicken cutlet that has been coated in marinara sauce and covered with melted mozzarella cheese, served with a side of spaghetti. Carbone in New York City offers a high-dining experience and prepares gourmet Chicken Parmigiana which takes the dish to another level for those craving a more lavish option. Here, we take a look at some of the restaurants that have made Chicken Parmigiana their signature dish, proving that nothing else will deliver quite as serious a taste of culinary prestige with each bite.

In popular culture

Chicken Parmigiana has become ingrained in popular culture, as it features as a comfort and indulgence food throughout films, television and music. Chicken Parmigiana has become iconic with Italian-American cuisine and family tradition – and a plate of Chicken Parmigiana is even enjoyed by the character Tony Soprano in a number of episodes of the movie The Sopranos! In Friends, Joey Tribbiani proclaims his love for Chicken Parmigiana a few times and so it has became a common comfort food for many of us.

Chicken Parmigiana has also taken centre stage in the music world, name-checked by the likes of Drake and Action Bronson in song. Its comfort food qualities and emotional memory value has charmed its way onto screen more than once, proving a conveniently delightful device enjoyed by just about any crowd. From portrayals of a quick weeknight meal to an outrageous feast, Chicken Parmigiana is still celebrated in popular culture, since then showcasing Chicken Parmigiana as the dish of deliciousness in wonderland.

Why is Chicken Parmigiana such a Beloved Dish?

To sum it all up, Chicken Parmigiana is a favorite meal and it is a succulent experience, enticing eaters since generations seasoning meat with a robust twist of taste and texture. Chicken Parmigiana started in southern Italy and it has come a long way since then (no pun intended) as now it is adored in restaurants all around the globe and for a good reason. With the tender chicken, crispy coating, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese, it is a dish that is sure to please all your taste buds. If you like reading this article then please consider reading our article about Sicily.

About The Author

Fabian Schmid