The Best Three-Cheese Chicken Parmesan Recipe to Feed Your Family (2024)

FAQs

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

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. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

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.

From classics such garlic bread and bruschetta, to healthier options such as sauteed spinach and roasted brussel sprouts, there are so many options for what to serve with Chicken Parmesan.

Eggplant parmesan is a lot healthier for you than chicken, but it comes at the cost of being a lot less filling. If you want a full meal, chicken parm is a better option. If you're looking for nutritional benefits first, eggplant parmesan will be your friend.

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

Chicken parmesan or chicken parmigiana (Italian: pollo alla parmigiana) is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone.

When it comes to breading meat, most breading procedures are basically the same. But taking the extra time to soak your meat in buttermilk and let the flour set will ensure that your breading is fully adhered for the perfect breaded pork chops or breaded chicken.

Flouring the chicken before dipping it in egg wash helps the sticky coating adhere to the dry pieces of meat, and the gluey egg and flour combo in turn helps the breadcrumbs to stick better.

To maximize crispiness, I use panko breadcrumbs and fry the chicken in a little more oil (about an inch) than you might normally use when making parm. As soon as the cutlets are nicely browned and cooked all the way though, drain them on a rack or paper towels. They're crunchy; this will help them stay that way.

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!

What cheese tastes best with chicken? ›

Some of the best cheeses for chicken sandwiches include mozzarella, gouda, provolone and asiago. You can throw a fresh slice onto your sandwich or melt it for extra goodness. Lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles are standard for chicken sandwiches, but you can definitely shake this up.

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.

Types of Breadcrumbs:

Both dried breadcrumbs and panko are fine and dry, so they become very crisp and golden when baked or fried. Fresh breadcrumbs contain more moisture, so your eggplant parmesan may end up a bit more soggy if you use these.

A can of pre-grated Parmesan is a great shortcut, or feel free to grate your own from a wedge if you prefer. Peel the eggplant. The vegetable's skin is completely edible and tends to soften as it cooks, so in many recipes it's fine to leave the skin on.

Generally, the main difference between Parmigiano Reggiano and Parmesan cheese outside of Italy is in consistency and complexity. While designated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is aged a minimum of two years, you'll find parmesan in the States only aged ten months.

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.

Chicken Parmesan's Italian Name

The word “parmigiana” in Italian roughly translates to “in the style of Parma” in English. The untrained eye would see this and immediately think that it refers to Parmesan cheese. However, this isn't the case! It actually refers to the Italian region of Parma.