Chicken Parmesan: What Cheeses Make The Cut?

Chicken Parmesan is a beloved and popular dish worldwide, especially in the US, where it is one of the most ordered chicken recipes. The dish is made with breaded chicken, marinara sauce, and melted cheese. The key to a perfect chicken parm is to ensure the chicken remains crispy and not soggy, which can be achieved by adding less sauce and cheese. The type of cheese used in chicken parm is a combination of mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone.

Mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar?

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a popular choice for chicken parmesan as it melts easily and has a stringy, stretchy texture. It has a mild, milky flavour that won't overpower the other components of the dish. Its meltability means it can be used as a topping to create a browned, bubbly, and crispy crust. However, it can also make the dish soggy if used in excess.

Provolone

Provolone is another Italian cheese that works well in chicken parmesan. It has a more pronounced flavour than mozzarella, with a slight tanginess and a hint of sharpness. It also melts well and can add a nice golden colour to the dish. Provolone is a good choice if you want a more robust cheese flavour without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Cheddar

Cheddar is not a traditional choice for chicken parmesan, but it can be used if you're looking for a sharper, more pungent flavour. Cheddar has a more crumbly texture and doesn't melt as smoothly as mozzarella or provolone, so it may not create the same crispy, bubbly topping. However, it can add a nice contrast of textures and flavours to the dish.

In the end, the choice of cheese depends on your personal preference and the specific flavour profile you want to achieve. You can even combine different cheeses to create a unique blend. For example, you could use a mixture of mozzarella and provolone, or add some Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for an extra punch of flavour.

Parmesan in the breadcrumbs

Chicken Parmesan is a beloved and popular dish worldwide, but especially in the US, where it is one of the most ordered chicken recipes. The dish is an American-Italian creation, derived from the Italian Melanzane alla Parmigiana, or Eggplant Parmesan.

The key to a good Chicken Parmesan is a crispy, crunchy coating, and juicy chicken. The coating is made up of a combination of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. The chicken is dipped in an egg wash, and then into the breadcrumb mixture, before being fried. This is a crucial step to achieving the perfect crunch.

The breadcrumbs used are a combination of Panko, a Japanese variety that is drier than regular breadcrumbs, and absorbs less oil, resulting in a crispier texture, and regular Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. The Parmesan cheese is freshly grated and mixed with the breadcrumbs, along with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This mixture ensures a flavourful and crunchy coating on the chicken.

Some recipes also suggest adding other types of cheese to the breadcrumb mixture, such as Romano cheese, or dried herbs for extra flavour. The chicken is then fried until golden brown, and placed on a baking tray. It is then topped with tomato sauce and more cheese, and baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

The Parmesan in the breadcrumbs adds a delicious savoury flavour to the dish and helps create an exciting, crunchy texture. This technique elevates the classic Chicken Parmesan and is a unique twist on a traditional recipe.

How to avoid sogginess

Chicken Parmesan is a popular dish, but it can often turn soggy. Here are some tips to help you avoid that:

The Cheese

The type of cheese you use is important. Mozzarella is typically used in chicken parmesan for its melty, stretchy properties that help prevent sogginess. When melted, the cheese's protein bonds stretch rather than break down completely, enabling it to keep some shape even when in contact with the sauce. You can also use a combination of mozzarella and fontina or provolone.

The Sauce

The sauce can be a major contributor to sogginess. Here are some tips to address this:

• Thicken the sauce: Cook the sauce longer to reduce its water content and make it thicker. This way, it will be less likely to saturate the crust.
• Use less sauce: Completely covering the chicken in sauce exposes the entire crust to moisture. Instead, use just a small amount on the chicken and serve the rest on the side.
• Switch the order: Instead of adding the sauce first and then the cheese, switch the order. Adding the cheese directly on the chicken will create a waterproof barrier that protects the crust from the sauce.

The Crust

The crust is another crucial element to prevent sogginess:

• Choose the right breadcrumbs: Opt for coarse, dry breadcrumbs like panko that will adhere to the chicken without becoming mushy. Panko breadcrumbs are made from Japanese bread and are excellent due to their airy texture and ability to create a crispy exterior.
• Double-coat the chicken: Double-coating the chicken in breadcrumbs provides an extra layer of protection against sogginess. After the first round of dredging, shake off any excess breadcrumbs, then dip the chicken into an egg wash. This will help the second coat of breadcrumbs adhere better.
• Add cheese to the crust: Mix some grated parmesan cheese into the breadcrumbs. This adds flavour and helps the crust stay crispier.
• Fry at the right temperature: The ideal frying temperature for chicken parmesan is between 350°F and 375°F. This ensures even cooking without burning the breadcrumbs.
• Don't overcrowd the pan: Fry the chicken in batches, leaving enough space between each piece to allow for proper circulation of hot oil.
• Drain on paper towels: After frying, drain the chicken on paper towels to absorb excess oil and prevent greasiness.

Chicken parm's origins

Chicken Parmesan, or chicken parmigiana, is a dish consisting of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and cheese. The cheese is usually mozzarella, but can also be Parmesan or provolone. The dish is often served with pasta and sometimes with ham or bacon.

Chicken Parmesan is believed to have originated in the Italian diaspora in the United States during the early 20th century. It is speculated that the dish is based on a combination of the Italian parmigiana, which uses fried eggplant slices and tomato sauce, and cotoletta, a breaded veal cutlet generally served without sauce or cheese in Italy.

Italian immigrants to the United States discovered that meat was cheaper and more widely available than in their homeland. As a result, they began to incorporate chicken into the parmigiana dish, creating what we now know as chicken Parmesan. The dish first appeared in recipe books and Italian restaurants in the 1950s and quickly became a fan favorite worldwide.

The name "chicken Parmesan" or "chicken parm" is derived from the use of Parmesan cheese in the dish. Parmesan cheese is named after the city of Parma in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, where it was first produced. However, food historians argue that the dish could not have been named after Parma, as it was not commonly eaten in that region of Italy. Instead, it was a staple of Campania and Sicily, both southern regions of the country.

What to serve it with

Chicken Parmesan is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides to complement its flavours and textures. Here are some ideas for what to serve with it:

Pasta

Pasta is a classic pairing for Chicken Parmesan, and for good reason. Try thin spaghetti, angel hair pasta, or fettuccine tossed with garlic butter. If you want to go meat-free, there's also a vegetarian spaghetti sauce option.

Salad

A crisp, refreshing salad can balance out the richness of the Chicken Parm. Opt for a simple green salad or a classic Caesar salad. For something more flavourful, try a Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, sweet basil, and a homemade garlic balsamic dressing.

Vegetables

Roasted root vegetables, roasted green beans, or garlic green beans can all make excellent sides for Chicken Parmesan. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, try mashed potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes.

Bread

Hasselback garlic bread or crusty French bread with butter or olive oil will also go well with Chicken Parmesan. For an extra cheesy option, try Cheesy, yeasty, salty, garlicky breadsticks.

Rice and Couscous

Brown rice is a simple, gluten-free option that pairs nicely with Chicken Parmesan. Fluffy couscous with roasted vegetables or herbs is another light and flavorful choice.

Other Sides

Some other sides that would go well with Chicken Parmesan include roasted Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad, creamed spinach, sautéed mushrooms, and roasted vegetable quinoa salad.

Frequently asked questions