Claire Thompson
Chicken parmesan, or chicken parmigiana, is a dish consisting of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese. It is often served as a main course, sometimes with a side of pasta. The dish originated in the Italian diaspora in the United States during the early 20th century. The name chicken parmesan is derived from the Italian town of Parma, where the cheese we know as Parmesan was first produced. While the dish typically uses mozzarella cheese, it is prepared in the Parma style, hence the name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Italian diaspora in the United States during the early 20th century |
| Original Ingredients | Breaded eggplant slices, tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese |
| Name Origin | The dish is prepared in the Parma style, hence the name |
| Name Variations | Chicken parm, parma, parmi, parmy, parmo, escalope parmesan, chicken parmigiana, chicken katsu parmesan |
| Ingredients Variations | Mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese |
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What You'll Learn
The dish is prepared in the Parma style
Chicken parmesan, or chicken parmigiana, is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone. Ham or bacon is sometimes added. The dish is included as the base of several different meals, including sandwiches and pies.
The dish 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.
Upon their arrival in North America, Italian immigrants began to incorporate chicken into parmigiana, taking advantage of the more affordable meat options available in the new world. The dish, also known as "chicken parm", became popular in Italian-American restaurants by the 1950s.
The name "chicken parmesan" or "chicken parmigiana" refers to the style of preparation, which originates from the Italian city of Parma. The cheese we know as parmesan or parmigiana is named after this city, located in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. While the dish may not have been consumed in this northern region, the style of preparation is indicative of the Parma region, hence the name.
The dish is prepared by pounding chicken cutlets, dredging them in flour, dipping them in egg, and then coating them with seasoned breadcrumbs before frying. The fried chicken is then covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese, and baked to finish.
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Parmigiana is a style of dish that usually contains cheese
Parmigiana, or chicken parm, is a style of dish that usually contains cheese. It is a classic Italian dish that originated in the Italian diaspora in the United States during the early 20th century. The dish is made with breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese. Ham or bacon is sometimes added.
The name "chicken parmesan" is derived from the Italian town of Parma, where the cheese we know as parmesan or parmigiana was first produced. The dish is prepared "Parma style", which means it is made with ingredients commonly found in the region of Parma, such as tomato sauce and cheese. The dish can be made with different types of cheese, but Parmesan is often mixed into the breading for the chicken, while mozzarella is used as a topping.
The original version of the dish, which was created in Italy before the 20th century, used breaded, fried slices of eggplant in place of chicken and was called melanzane alla Parmigiana. This dish was a staple of Campania and Sicily, both southern regions of Italy. When Italians immigrated to the United States, they found that proteins like chicken were more affordable and accessible, so they began to use chicken instead of eggplant, creating the modern version of the dish.
Chicken parmigiana has become a popular dish worldwide and is known by various names, including "chicken parm" in the United States, "parmo" in Middlesbrough, England, and "parma", "parmi", or "parmy" in Australia. It is often served as a main course, sometimes with a side of pasta, and is a mainstay on the menus of Italian restaurants.
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Parmigiana is named after the city of Parma, Italy
The dish chicken parmigiana, also known as chicken parm, is a combination of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese. The dish became popular in Italian-American restaurants by the 1950s and is often served as a main course in the US and Canada.
The name "parmigiana" refers to the style of preparation originating from Parma, Italy. While the dish may not have been consumed in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, where the city of Parma is located, it is believed that the style of preparation, or the "Parma style," influenced the creation of the dish.
The dish chicken parmigiana is a variation of the traditional Italian dish melanzane alla Parmigiana, which translates to "aubergine in the style used in Parma." This traditional dish is made with fried eggplant, tomato sauce, and a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
The popularity of chicken parmigiana has led to the creation of various derivatives, such as the escalope parmesan and the parmo, which originated in Middlesbrough, England. The dish has become a staple in Italian restaurants worldwide, showcasing the universal appeal of Italian cuisine.
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Parmesan is mixed into the breading of the chicken
Chicken parmesan, or chicken parmigiana, is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese. The dish is thought to have originated in the Italian diaspora in the United States during the early 20th century. It is believed to be based on a combination of the Italian dish parmigiana, which uses fried eggplant slices and tomato sauce, and cotoletta, a breaded veal cutlet typically served without sauce or cheese.
Now, let's focus on the role of Parmesan in the dish. Parmesan is indeed a part of chicken parmesan, even if it is not always the prominent cheese. Parmesan is mixed into the breading of the chicken, adding a depth of flavor to the dish. The breading used to coat the chicken typically includes a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. This means that even without the mozzarella topping, the dish retains the flavor of Parmesan.
The inclusion of Parmesan in the breading serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it enhances the flavor of the chicken by adding a salty, nutty taste. Secondly, it contributes to the crispiness of the breading, creating a desirable texture contrast with the juicy interior of the chicken. This technique of mixing Parmesan into the breading is also used in other dishes, such as "parmo," a similar dish originating in Middlesbrough, England.
The decision to include Parmesan in the breading may also be influenced by the dish's origins. Chicken parmesan is believed to have originated in Italian-American communities, where immigrants had access to more affordable proteins like chicken. By adding Parmesan to the breading, cooks could incorporate the familiar flavor of Parmesan, even if they were using chicken instead of the traditional eggplant.
While mozzarella is often the prominent cheese in modern interpretations of the dish, the inclusion of Parmesan in the breading highlights its importance to the flavor profile and overall experience of chicken parmesan. The combination of cheeses creates a unique and indulgent taste that has contributed to the dish's enduring popularity.
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Mozzarella is a cheaper alternative to Parmesan
Chicken parmesan, or chicken parmigiana, is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese. The dish is said to have originated in the Italian diaspora in the United States during the early 20th century. It is believed 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 typically served without sauce or cheese.
The name "chicken parmesan" likely stems from the preparation style of the meat or eggplant in the dish, which is prepared "Parma-style." The cheese we know as Parmesan is named after the city of Parma in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, where it was first produced. While Parmesan may not be a critical ingredient in chicken parmesan, it is often used in the breading mix for the chicken. Mozzarella, on the other hand, is typically used as a topping.
While the dish is often made with mozzarella, it can also be made with a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan, depending on the chef's preference. Some people prefer the taste of chicken parmesan made with Parmesan, as it has a stronger flavor. However, others may prefer the milder taste of mozzarella. Ultimately, the choice of cheese comes down to individual taste preferences and cost considerations.
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Frequently asked questions
The dish is prepared in the Parma style, hence the name. The cheese we know as parmesan is named after the city of Parma in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, where it was first produced.
No, parmesan is not a critical ingredient. The dish can be made with mozzarella, parmesan, or provolone cheese. Parmesan is mixed into the breading mix on the chicken, while mozzarella is used as a topping.
No, melanzane alla parmigiana is made with fried aubergine/eggplant instead of chicken.
