Chicken Marinara: What Cheeses Melt The Best?

Chicken marinara is a simple dish that combines Italian flavours with a comforting, homely feel. The dish consists of chicken breasts baked in a marinara sauce and topped with cheese. The type of cheese used can vary, but mozzarella is a popular choice, with some recipes also including parmesan and ricotta. This dish is often served with pasta and is a quick and easy meal to prepare for the family.

Mozzarella

When making chicken marinara with mozzarella, it is important to note that fresh mozzarella has a high water content. Therefore, it is necessary to pat the mozzarella dry before adding it to the dish. This ensures that the cheese melts properly and does not affect the consistency of the sauce.

Chicken marinara with mozzarella can be served with a side of pasta, such as spaghetti, farfalle, or penne, and garlic bread for a complete meal. It is a family-friendly dish that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Some variations of the recipe include adding other types of cheese, such as Parmesan, to enhance the flavour and provide a crispy coating to the chicken. Additionally, you can add spices and herbs like Italian seasoning, basil, parsley, and garlic powder to further enhance the flavour of the dish.

Parmesan

When used as a breading, Parmesan adds a salty, savoury note to the chicken that complements the sweetness of the marinara sauce. It also helps to create a crispy, golden crust when the chicken is fried or baked. This crust not only adds texture but also helps to seal in the juices of the chicken, keeping it moist and tender. To use Parmesan in this way, it is typically combined with breadcrumbs and spices, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or parsley flakes. The chicken cutlets are then dipped in flour, egg, and the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture before being cooked.

As a topping, Parmesan adds a salty, umami flavour to the finished dish. It can be sprinkled on top of the chicken and marinara sauce before baking, or added as a final touch after the dish is cooked. Combining Parmesan with mozzarella cheese is a popular choice, as the two cheeses melt together to form a rich, savoury topping that balances the acidity of the tomato sauce. The heat of the oven or broiler also helps to bring out the nutty, savoury flavours of the Parmesan.

In addition to its flavour and textural contributions, Parmesan also has some functional benefits in chicken marinara. When used as a breading, it helps the other ingredients adhere to the chicken, creating a cohesive coating that stays put during cooking. It can also be added directly to the marinara sauce to thicken it and give it a creamier texture.

Whether used as a breading, topping, or ingredient in the sauce, Parmesan cheese plays a crucial role in the flavour and texture of chicken marinara. Its savoury flavour and nutty aroma enhance the other ingredients, while its melting properties and ability to form a crispy crust add texture and depth to the dish. So, the next time you're preparing chicken marinara, don't skimp on the Parmesan—it might just be the secret ingredient that takes your dish to the next level!

Ricotta

In chicken marinara, ricotta cheese adds a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. It is often used in combination with other cheeses, such as mozzarella, parmesan, and fontina, to create a rich and flavourful sauce. For example, in a five-cheese marinara sauce, ricotta is combined with fontina, mozzarella, asiago, and parmesan cheeses, resulting in a creamy and indulgent dish.

When making chicken marinara, ricotta cheese is typically added to the sauce or pasta towards the end of the cooking process. Small spoonfuls of ricotta are dropped into the skillet or baking dish, creating creamy pockets of cheese throughout the dish. This ensures that the ricotta does not become overcooked or lose its creamy texture.

In addition to its use in the sauce, ricotta can also be used as a topping for chicken marinara. After baking, a sprinkle of ricotta cheese can add a final creamy touch to the dish. This versatile cheese can also be used as a substitute for other cheeses in chicken marinara. For instance, if you don't have mozzarella on hand, you can use whole milk ricotta cheese on top of the chicken to create a similar creamy effect.

Fontina

Chicken Fontina is a dish that uses Fontina cheese as a topping for chicken, along with a light sauce and vegetables. The chicken is seared on a high heat on both sides, then baked in the oven with the cheese and other ingredients. This two-stage cooking process helps to ensure the chicken remains moist and tender. The chicken is coated in a gluten-free flour, egg and cornmeal mixture before frying, which creates a crispy texture. The chicken is then topped with Fontina cheese and baked until the cheese is browned.

Asiago

When making Asiago chicken, it is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, chicken thighs can also be used to give the dish a slightly different flavour and texture. The chicken is seasoned and cooked in a skillet before being sliced and served on top of the pasta.

In addition to chicken and Asiago cheese, other ingredients used in the pasta dish include spaghetti noodles, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, butter, garlic, flour, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, milk, spinach, and parsley for garnish. The pasta water is also reserved to add to the sauce, as the starch in the water helps to create a creamy and cohesive dish.

The Asiago sauce is made by melting butter in a skillet and adding garlic, flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes. Milk is then slowly poured into the mixture while whisking constantly. Grated Asiago cheese, spinach, and pasta water are added to the sauce and cooked until the spinach is wilted. The cooked pasta is then added to the skillet and tossed to coat the noodles in the sauce.

The Asiago chicken pasta dish is a tasty and visually appealing meal that can be served immediately and enjoyed by all.

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