Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chicken parmigiana and chicken parmesan? ›

What Is the Difference Between Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Parmigiana? Brace yourself for this one—they're the same dish! Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian.

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

Pasta Dishes

A bona fide classic, nothing goes better with a cheesy, chicken parmigiana recipe than a hearty pasta side. Pasta recipes are tasty and simple, which makes them the ultimate pairing for your protein-packed main.

In the United States and Canada, chicken parmesan is often served as a main course, and sometimes with a side of, or on top of pasta. Many restaurants also offer chicken parm sandwiches.

Slices of fresh mozzarella melted over the browned chicken breasts and simmered marinara sauce add moist, soft texture and milky flavor.

Some believe that it was created in Parma, hence the name. Others believe it comes from a Sicilian word that means slabs on a roof, referring to the thin slices of chicken covered in the sauce.

Be cautious not to touch or turn the chicken too much. The same goes for baking your cutlets—give them space, flip them once, then it's hands off. The breading is also more likely to come off if the cutlets are touching each other. These steps will guarantee that breading stays on your chicken!

Olive Oil: I prefer to use extra-virgin olive oil to cook the onion and garlic in, while I use a more neutral oil to fry the chicken. Use your favorite olive oil here, or check out our list of the best olive oil brands.

You see, in Italy, Parmesan cheese is reserved for pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces, cream sauces, and meat-based dishes. Adding Parmesan cheese to a seafood-based dish, like spaghetti with clams, is a big no-no. It's like adding ketchup to a steak or pineapple on a pizza – it just doesn't belong!

Chicken parmigiana encompasses everything we love about Italian food in one bite—the chicken's juicy interior, the crisp coating of the fried breadcrumbs on the meat's exterior, the bright and slightly sweet flavor of the rich tomato sauce, and the silky texture of the mozzarella, slightly browned under a broiler.

Is chicken parmesan a real Italian dish? ›

Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Rao's Marinara Sauce: Rao's is a popular brand known for its high-quality marinara sauce. It is often recommended for chicken parmesan recipes due to its rich flavor and clean ingredients. You can find it at most grocery stores, and Costco often offers a good deal on a two-pack [1].

Instead of the egg, Moskowitz recommends a mix of cornstarch and water, which, when stirred together, forms a slurry. It, too, is an effective glue, and you may even notice more crispness to, say, your chicken parm. This would also be another good scenario for a liquid vegan substitute.

Yes, you can reheat the chicken by baking it in a hot oven until piping hot all the way through. If you want you can also eat leftover cooked chicken parmesan cold.

Why is it called “parmigiana” when it's typically made with mozzarella cheese? One theory lies in the geography of Italy. The cheese we know as parmigiana—or parmesan—is named after the city of Parma in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, where the delicate cheese was first produced.

Chicken parmesan uses boneless skinless chicken breasts that are pounded thin and fried crisp before they're smothered in tomato sauce and topped with cheese. Chicken cacciatore is different. It's more like a hearty stew that's made with bone-in chicken.

Variations and offroots aside, parmigiana dishes contain certain basic ingredients: chicken breast or veal scallopini (or eggplant), breadcrumbs, Italian seasonings, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese.