Parmesan Chicken: Which Cheeses Complement Parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan is a popular dish in Italian-American restaurants. It is made with breaded chicken, marinara sauce, and cheese. The type of cheese used can vary, but typically a combination of mozzarella and parmesan is used. Some recipes also include provolone or cheddar cheese. To ensure the dish is not soggy, it is important to use a light hand when adding the sauce and cheese, as too much can weigh down the crispy breading.

Mozzarella and Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chicken Parmigiana, is a popular dish that combines crispy, juicy chicken with a rich tomato sauce and melted cheese. While there are many variations of the recipe, the use of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses is a common and well-loved combination. Here's a guide to using mozzarella and parmesan to create a delicious Chicken Parmesan.

The Role of Mozzarella and Parmesan

Preparing the Chicken

To prepare the chicken, start by pounding boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures even cooking and a tender texture. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, or a combination of spices like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and chilli powder.

The Breading Process

For a crispy and flavourful coating, set up a breading station with three separate mixtures: flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. First, dredge the chicken in flour, coating it evenly and shaking off any excess. Then, dip the chicken in beaten eggs, followed by a generous coating of breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan cheese. This breading process ensures a crispy exterior for your Chicken Parmesan.

Cooking the Chicken

Heat a large skillet with olive oil or another neutral oil to a medium-high temperature. Fry the breaded chicken until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. This frying step gives the chicken a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy. Transfer the fried chicken to a baking sheet or dish.

Adding the Cheeses

For the cheese topping, combine shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses in a bowl. Generously sprinkle the cheese mixture over the fried chicken. You can also add other cheeses like provolone or fontina for extra flavour. The combination of mozzarella and parmesan will create a delicious, stretchy, and savoury topping.

Baking and Serving

Place the chicken in an oven preheated to a high temperature, around 450°F, or 425°F and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on the chicken to avoid burning. Serve your Chicken Parmesan with a side of pasta, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad. Enjoy the perfect combination of crispy, juicy chicken and melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses!

Breading and frying

Step 1: Prepare the dredging stations

Create three separate dredging stations for a flour mixture, an egg mixture, and a breadcrumb mixture. For the flour and egg mixtures, use shallow bowls. For the breadcrumb mixture, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder (optional) in another shallow bowl. You can also add Italian seasoning or dried herbs like oregano or parsley to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavour.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. You can use a meat tenderizer or mallet to pound the chicken to your desired thickness. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Dredge the chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated. Finally, coat the chicken generously with the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they adhere.

Step 4: Heat the oil

Heat a sufficient amount of oil in a large skillet or pot over medium to medium-high heat. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. The oil should be hot and shimmering before adding the chicken.

Step 5: Fry the chicken

Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each side for about 2-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent the oil from getting too hot or too cool.

Step 6: Drain excess oil

Remove the fried chicken from the oil and place it on a wire cooling rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Tips for frying:

• Ensure the oil is sufficiently heated before adding the chicken to prevent the breading from becoming soggy.
• Bread and fry only 1-2 pieces of chicken at a time to maintain crispiness.
• Make small adjustments to the heat as needed to ensure the oil doesn't get too hot or too cool.
• Use a slotted spatula to remove the chicken from the oil, which allows excess oil to drip off and keeps the chicken crispy.

Once the chicken is fried, you can follow the remaining steps in the recipe to assemble and bake your Chicken Parmesan. Enjoy!

Marinara sauce

The process of making marinara sauce is straightforward. It typically involves sautéing onions and garlic, then adding crushed tomatoes, basil, and other seasonings. The sauce is simmered until it thickens and the flavours meld together. Some recipes may include additional ingredients such as sugar or Italian herbs to enhance the sweetness and flavour of the sauce.

When assembling the chicken parmesan, a layer of marinara sauce is spread onto a baking dish, and the breaded chicken is placed on top. Additional sauce is then spooned over the chicken, followed by a generous sprinkling of cheese. The dish is baked until the cheese melts and bubbles, resulting in a delicious combination of flavours and textures.

The marinara sauce not only adds flavour to the chicken parmesan but also helps keep the dish moist. It prevents the breaded chicken from drying out and ensures each bite is juicy and tender. The sauce also pairs well with the melted cheese, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.

Baking

Chicken Parmesan is a non-pasta Italian-American dish that is relatively easy to make at home. The key to achieving a crispy, non-soggy texture is to avoid drenching the chicken in sauce and cheese.

Breading

For the breading, combine flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixtures in separate shallow pans. You can use either Italian-style breadcrumbs or panko, a Japanese breadcrumb that is drier than regular breadcrumbs, resulting in a crispier crumb. Add some grated parmesan to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour and crunch. Beat the eggs until frothy, and lightly coat the chicken with flour and egg before generously coating with breadcrumbs.

Frying

Before frying, let the breaded chicken sit for about 15 minutes to allow the coating to adhere. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it glistens or shimmers. Fry the chicken for about 2 minutes on each side until golden, but not fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet or dish.

Top the chicken with marinara sauce, followed by mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven at 425-450°F for 12-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and slightly browned.

Serving

Chicken Parmesan pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a salad. For a low-carb option, serve it with zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash.

Serving suggestions

Chicken Parmesan is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your meal:

Pasta

Chicken Parmesan pairs well with pasta, and you can choose from a variety of shapes such as thin spaghetti, angel hair pasta, fettuccini, bucatini, or penne. The sauce from the chicken will complement the pasta beautifully.

Vegetables

If you're looking for a lighter option or want to add some greenery to your plate, consider serving Chicken Parmesan with sautéed green beans, roasted asparagus, or zucchini noodles. These vegetables provide a healthy balance to the rich dish.

Potatoes

For a heartier side dish, garlic mashed potatoes are an excellent choice to soak up all the delicious sauce. Alternatively, you could serve Chicken Parmesan with French fries, a traditional pairing in Argentina.

Bread

To mop up the sauce, serve Chicken Parmesan with garlic bread or garlic knots. You could also make a Chicken Parmesan sandwich by serving the chicken inside toasted sandwich bread or rolls.

Salads

A crisp salad can complement the richness of the dish. Consider a simple green salad or a more substantial option like a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.

Other Sides

Some other side dish options include cauliflower mash, steamed vegetables, or zucchini noodles. If you're feeling indulgent, you could also serve Chicken Parmesan with buttery breadsticks or high-quality, crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions