why is chicken parmesan called that? | Chicken parmigiana perfect recipe

Chicken parmesan is also known by another name chicken parmigiana. It is an Italian-American dish and is famous for its unique taste. It is prepared by use of chicken breast which is covered with bread crumbs and fried. The fried chicken pieces are then topped with melted cheese and tomato sauce. I like this dish due to its crispy and crunchy chicken pieces and its delicious topping. Once you taste it, chicken parmesan will also become your favorite dish.

Origin of chicken parmesan:

The Italian region Parma is known as the origin of this dish. The key ingredient used in the recipe is Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The present version of the dish in which chicken is included has its origin in Italian-American communities in the United States. As parmesan cheese is used in this dish, why terms “Parmigiana” or “Parmesan” are used in the name of this dish. On the surface of the chicken, grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled, and then after the addition of tomato sauce, chicken breast pieces are baked.

Ingredients for chicken parmesan:

Boneless breast of four chickens

On cup all-purpose flour

Two beaten eggs

One cup breadcrumbs

Half cup grated parmesan cheese

Two cups of marinara sauce

One cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

One-fourth cup of chopped onions

Pepper and salt to taste

Two cups olive oil (for frying purposes)

Why use chicken breast for chicken parmesan:

In chicken parmesan, most commonly chicken breasts are used as they are soft, lean, and have a mild flavor. The mild flavor of the chicken breast forms a good combination with other ingredients used in the recipe. For those people who want to eat healthy and tasty meals, and also want to reduce their fat intake, chicken breast is the best option. Chicken breasts have less fat content relative to other chicken parts like drumsticks or thighs. it is best to use chicken breast for chicken parmesan.

It is also easy to prepare and cook the pieces of chicken breast. chicken parmesan is suitable who want to prepare a tasty and easy meal in a short time.

Mozzarella cheese for chicken parmesan:

In chicken parmesan, mozzarella cheese is added as it melts to form a good taste and appearance. It is best complementary o other spices and ingredients of the dish. It gives a creamy and slushy texture to the dish and helps to stick every ingredient together. Other flavors in the chicken parmesan like Chicken and tomato sauce express them well in combination with a mild flavor of mozzarella cheese.

Marinara sauce for chicken parmesan:

Marinara sauce also called spaghetti sauce is made from tomatoes, onions, garlic and other variety of herbs and spices can be added in it. It has another simple name tomato catchup or tomato sauce. In spaghetti, it is added as a topping commonly. It is also used in combination with other dishes and snacks, burgers, pizzas, and potato chips.

Ingredients:

3-4 fresh tomatoes

One-fourth of extra virgin olive oil

7-8 cloves of peeled garlic

Pinch of red pepper flakes

One teaspoon of kosher salt

One medium-sized onion

One cup of water

Instructions to prepare marinara sauce:

1. Take fresh tomatoes and put them in a large bowl. Boil them and peel them off after cooling them at room temperature.

2. Crush these peeled tomatoes with your hands and add one cup of water to extract the juice from them.

3. Take a pan and add olive oil to it. After heating it add garlic flakes and fry them until light red color. Then add the tomato paste and tomato juice.

4. After that add the pepper flakes and salt. Then add the onion without cutting and fry the mixture for about 12-15 minutes.

5. After the sauce simmer, then discard the onion and let the sauce cool at room temperature.

6. Now the sauce is ready to enjoy.

How to cook chicken parmesan/chicken parmigiana?

1. First preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Take chicken breast in a bowl and do their seasoning with salt and pepper.

2. Take three shallow bowls for mixing the ingredients. Add flour to the first bowl. Then in the second bowl lace eggs and beat them well.

3. In the third bowl add the breadcrumbs and mix them with grated parmesan cheese.

4. Pick the hen breasts and dip them in the flour. Make sure to shake off excess flour on the chicken breast.

5. After that dip the hen breast in shaken eggs and do the last coating in breadcrumbs mixture.

6. Take the olive oil in a frying pan and heat it over medium heat. Then put the coated breast of chicken in the olive for 3 to 4 minutes and fry them.

7. After that you will get fried chicken breast on both sides in golden brown color.

8. To exclude the excess oil transfer the chicken pieces on a paper-lined plate.

9. Then take a baking dish and spread the marinara sauce in its bottom. After that put the fried chicken breast on top of the sauce. Add an additional layer of sauce on the chicken pieces with a spoon and cover them completely.

10. After that add shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce layer. Bake it in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes.

11. Finally you will get cheesy and yummy chicken parmesan to serve and enjoy.

chicken parmigiana means chicken parmesa

12. But do not forget the garnishing with chopped onions and mint leaves and after that, you can serve the chicken parmesan with pasta or vegetables.

Chicken parmesan without frying:

Ingredients are the same as that of fried chicken parmesan.

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius temperature.

2. Take a shallow bowl and combine the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs together.

3. Do a coating of beaten eggs on each piece of chicken breast and then add on it breadcrumbs layer.

4. Take a baking sheet and spray olive oil on it. Place the chicken breast which is in a coated form on a baking sheet.

5. Then bake these pieces in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes to cook them completely.

6. Coat each chicken breast with marinara sauce and add a further topping of mozzarella cheese.

7. Place these chicken breasts again in the oven and bake them for 5 to 10 minutes. During this duration, the cheese will melt and gives the recipe a yummy and tasty touch.

8. You can serve the chicken parmigiana with leftover marinara sauce and can add garnishing with fried onions and mint leaves.

9. Now it's time to enjoy the chicken parmesan which is healthy without an oily mess.

Tips to make perfect chicken parmesan:

If you want to make perfect and tasty chicken parmigiana recipes like restaurants, then you should follow these tips.

High-quality ingredients:

You should select high-quality and fresh chicken breast pieces and fresh and ripe red tomatoes. Mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese should also have maintained their flavor and good odor.

Pounding the chicken pieces:

Make sure to pound the pieces of chicken breast to an even thickness. This will give them good taste and thorough cooking.

Seasoning chicken breast:

You should properly season of chicken with a mixture of pepper, salt, and garlic powder before coating them with egg and crumbs of bread.

Proper coating:

Proper coating of chicken pieces first with egg and then breadcrumbs is necessary for sticking to chicken breast.

Precaution during frying:

Use a shallow pan for frying the coated chicken and make sure to preheat the oil. Use a paper towel to drain excess oil after frying.

Homemade tomato sauce:

Make the tomato sauce by yourself according to the instructions in the recipe. Artificial sauces have preservatives in them and they may alter the taste and nutritional value of this recipe. Sauce layering is necessary for a chicken parmesan recipe.

The layering of chicken in chicken parmesan:

Spread the chicken breast in the form o layers to add additional layers of marinara sauce on its bottom and top. Sprinkling evenly the mozzarella cheese will also become easy.

Perfectly baking:

You should bake the chicken in the oven until it gets golden brown color and the cheese also melts to give a nice look.

Garnishing:

If the taste of your dish is excellent but you have not done garnishing of it, it will not impress the guest. To serve, you can garnish the chicken parmigiana by using onion leaves or mint leaves.

Is chicken parmesan healthy?

Most people love chicken in meals especially when a delicious recipe is prepared from chicken. But it is not considered a healthy meal relative to vegetarian dishes.

Additionally, when breaded pieces of chicken are fried, it adds additional fats and calorie content to the dish. In the marinara sauce, if sugar and salt are added in excess amounts, it becomes unhealthy. Similarly, although cheese has high contents of protein and calcium, but contains high levels of fat and calories.

If you are looking for a healthy version of chicken parmigiana, it is best to make this without frying. It means you can use the baking method instead of frying the coated chicken breast. You can use homemade marinara sauce and can add less sugar and salt. You can also reduce the cheese content in the recipe for a healthier recipe. For additional health benefits, you should complement it with a side of vegetables and avoid pasta.

Difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana:

Chicken parmesan is an American word which is originated from the Italian word Parmigiana. Parmigiana refers to a recipe prepared with tomato sauce, eggplant, and cheese. While in the United States, the use of eggplant is replaced with chicken. From here the dish got its name chicken parmesan. In Italy, this dish has the name “Pollo alla Parmigiana” while in some areas of Italy, it is called “Cotoletta all Parmigiana”.