Chicken And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing

what cheese is best with chicken

Chicken and cheese is a classic combination, and for good reason. Chicken sandwiches are a popular comfort food, and grilled cheese sandwiches are a staple. Chicken is a versatile meat, and different cheeses can bring out its rich flavour. For example, the sharp, salty flavour of parmesan is a common pairing with chicken, especially in Italian-style dishes. The nutty, caramel-like flavour of gouda is also a good match for chicken, and chèvre's fresh, tangy flavour pairs well with grilled chicken breast. When it comes to sandwiches, cheddar, Swiss, and Monterey Jack are popular choices, depending on the other ingredients.

Characteristics Values
Cheese with nutty, caramel-like flavour Gouda
Cheese with fresh, tangy flavour Chèvre
Cheese with sharp, salty flavour Parmesan
Cheese to be used in sandwiches Cheddar, Swiss, Pepper jack, Smoked gouda, Gruyère, Emmental, Mozzarella, Blue cheese, Feta

cycheese

Chicken sandwiches: cheddar, Swiss, or blue cheese

Chicken sandwiches are incredibly popular, and it's no wonder—they're comforting, filling, and relatively inexpensive. But what type of cheese should you use? Cheddar, Swiss, and blue cheese are all excellent options, each bringing something different to the table.

Cheddar is a sharp, nutty cheese that pairs well with beef, but it can also work wonderfully with chicken. For example, a barbecue chicken sandwich with avocado and cheddar is a delicious combination. If you're looking for a melt-in-your-mouth texture, try mixing mozzarella with mild cheddar or gouda and toasting your sandwich. You can also use cheddar in breadcrumb mixtures for baked chicken breasts, adding a crunchy texture and a sharp flavour to the dish.

Swiss cheese is a versatile option for chicken sandwiches. Its mild flavour pairs well with a variety of ingredients. Try Swiss cheese in a chicken bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich, or mix it with mozzarella and a mild cheese for a toasty sandwich.

Blue cheese has a strong, pungent flavour and is a popular choice for beef, but it can also complement the flavours of chicken. For a unique chicken sandwich, try using blue cheese with bacon, arugula, and caramelized onions on a brioche bun. If you're feeling adventurous, crumbled blue cheese can add a creamy texture and a punch of flavour to your sandwich.

Ultimately, the best cheese for your chicken sandwich depends on your personal preference and the other ingredients you plan to use. Experiment with different cheeses, and don't be afraid to mix and match to create a sandwich that suits your taste buds.

Cheeses for the Ultimate Mac and Cheese

You may want to see also

cycheese

Chicken and pasta: sprinkle grated parmesan

Chicken and pasta is a classic dish, and adding cheese can make it even better. While there are many types of cheese that pair well with chicken, such as gouda, chèvre, and cheddar, parmesan is an excellent choice that can take your dish to the next level.

When it comes to chicken and pasta, a sprinkle of grated parmesan can be a game-changer. Parmesan has a sharp, salty flavor that beautifully enhances the rich taste of chicken. It is a versatile cheese that complements a variety of pasta shapes and sauces. Whether you're making a creamy Alfredo or a hearty Bolognese, grated parmesan can be the secret ingredient that ties all the flavors together.

The beauty of grated parmesan lies in its versatility. You can sprinkle it directly onto your chicken and pasta dish, or you can get creative and use it in multiple ways. For example, you can mix grated parmesan into your pasta dough for an extra cheesy kick. This is an excellent way to elevate your pasta dish, especially if you're using a simpler sauce like olive oil or tomato. The parmesan-infused pasta dough adds a subtle cheesy note that enhances the overall flavor.

Another way to incorporate grated parmesan into your chicken and pasta dish is by making a delicious parmesan crust for your chicken. Simply coat your chicken breasts in a mixture of grated parmesan, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then bake until golden and crispy. This not only adds a delightful crunch to your chicken but also infuses your dish with the nutty, savory flavor of parmesan. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different types of breadcrumbs, such as Panko or crushed butter crackers, to create a unique texture.

Don't be afraid to play around with ingredient ratios to find your perfect balance of flavors. Remember, when it comes to grated parmesan, a little can go a long way, so you can adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, using grated parmesan in your chicken and pasta dish is an easy and effective way to elevate your meal and impress your family and friends.

cycheese

Baked chicken breasts: sharp white cheddar

Baked chicken breasts with sharp white cheddar

This is a quick and easy recipe for an indulgent, nostalgic dish. The chicken is tender and rich, so it's best served with something fresh like a big green salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing wire rack
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 100 grams)
  • 2 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 1 cup)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Method

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a wire rack with olive oil and place it on a sheet pan. Whisk together the sour cream, egg white, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Cut each chicken breast horizontally into two thin cutlets. Add the chicken to the bowl with the sour cream mixture and smear it all over the chicken.

Next, crush the Ritz crackers into coarse pieces with your fingers in a large bowl. Add the cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and olive oil. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and toss until evenly distributed. Holding one of the chicken cutlets by its thinner end, add to the bowl with the crumbs, and pack the crumbs onto the chicken, pressing them in to create a thick coating. Transfer the breaded chicken to the rack in the sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining three cutlets.

Bake the cutlets until the outsides are crispy and the insides are no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. You can also check the chicken is cooked by using a digital thermometer to ensure it has reached the right temperature internally.

Tips

You can use plain dry breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs instead of crackers. You can also use yellow cheddar instead of white.

Cheese and Eggs: The Perfect Pairing

You may want to see also

cycheese

Chicken salad: whipped chèvre

Chicken and cheese is a classic combination, and there are several types of cheese that pair well with chicken, including cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, and gouda. Chicken salads, in particular, can be enhanced by the addition of cheese, and one popular recipe incorporates whipped chèvre, a type of goat cheese, to create a creamy texture.

The Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad is famous for its secret ingredient: freshly whipped cream folded into the chicken, grape, and almond salad. The addition of whipped cream gives the salad a wonderfully creamy texture and a unique flavour. To make this chicken salad, simply combine the meat with celery, grapes, almonds, parsley, salt, and mayonnaise, and then fold in the freshly whipped cream. Chill the salad before serving, and consider serving it on a bed of curly lettuce, with crackers, or on a croissant.

Some variations of this recipe include toasting the almonds before adding them to the salad, and others suggest using low-calorie or fat-free whipped cream as a substitute. You can also experiment with different types of chicken, such as leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken, just be sure to taste the salad before adding additional salt.

While the Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad is a popular choice, some people may be hesitant to use whipped cream in a savoury dish. In this case, cream cheese is another option to achieve a creamy texture in a chicken salad. This can be combined with ingredients like grapes, pecans, and craisins, and served with sliced bread or in a wrap.

Whether you choose to use whipped chèvre, cream cheese, or whipped cream, chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

cycheese

Chicken bacon: avoid punchy cheeses

When it comes to chicken and cheese, it's essential to consider the other ingredients and the overall flavour profile you're aiming for. While some cheeses can complement and enhance the taste of chicken, others might overwhelm or clash with the other components.

If you're crafting a chicken bacon sandwich, for instance, the bacon already contributes a salty, savoury element to the dish. As such, you might want to avoid punchy, strongly flavoured cheeses that could overpower the other ingredients. Opting for milder, more subtle cheeses can help to balance the sandwich and prevent any one ingredient from dominating the flavour profile.

In this case, cheeses like Swiss, provolone, or a mild cheddar could be excellent choices. These varieties offer a nice creamy texture without an overly assertive flavour. They'll meld beautifully with the other ingredients, creating a harmonious sandwich where no single flavour overpowers the rest.

Additionally, if you're looking for a cheese that will melt well and provide a stringy, gooey texture, Swiss or provolone are ideal. They'll stretch appealingly when you bite into the sandwich, providing a delightful mouthfeel and a satisfying sensory experience.

Remember, when crafting any dish, it's essential to consider the interplay of flavours and textures. In the case of chicken bacon sandwiches, avoiding punchy cheeses can help create a more balanced and enjoyable eating experience.

Frequently asked questions

There are several cheeses that can be used in a chicken sandwich, including cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, provolone, blue cheese, and Swiss cheese.

Chèvre, a tangy cheese, pairs well with the mild flavor of chicken. Parmesan is also a good option, as its salty flavor brings out the rich flavor of chicken.

One recipe idea is baked cheesy chicken breasts, which combines chicken with cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs.

Gouda pairs well with pork, while blue cheese is a good match for beef.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment