This chicken parmesan recipe is sure to please, with perfectly crispy deep fried chicken topped with melted cheese, served over a delicious helping of savory spaghetti and zesty tomato sauce. Did you know the there is no parmesan cheese in chicken parmesan? "The use of the word parmigiana implies that the dish is named after the North Italian city of Parma, famous for its parmesan cheese. However, the original eggplant-based recipe was only initially found in southern regions of Italy" (Diane, 2023). Typically you bake the chicken (or eggplant) in the tomato sauce, but I personally do not like making my crispy chicken soggy by adding it to a sauce. The solution, broil it just to melt the cheese then place on top of your spaghetti. This Italian inspired dish has been around since the 1950's being served at restaurants and in peoples homes as a comforting and delicious family favorite. Although you would think it originated in Italy, it was actually first produced in Northern US by Italian immigrants looking for a taste of home no doubt (wikipedia, Chicken Parmesan). Although this recipe does not follow the exact methods used in the 50's, it is delicious non the less.
Ingredients:
- 4 Chicken Breast, Butterflied
- Cooking oil (vegetable oil) deep frying
- 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
For The Chicken
- 2 Cups Bread Crumbs
- 2 Cups Panko Crumbs
- 4 Tbsp Corn Starch
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tsp Parsley
- 1 Tsp Basil
- 5 Eggs
- 6 Tbsp Flour
For the Sauce:
- 4 Servings of Spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 Cans Spaghetti sauce
- 1 Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Large Onion, thinly diced
- 1/2 Head of Garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Parsley
- 1 Tbsp Basil
- 1 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
Directions:
- Start with the sauce so it can simmer while the chicken is prepared. Add to a large pot your diced onions. Sauté until tender then add your minced garlic and stir over 30 seconds. Then add the remaining ingredients listed under "for the sauce." Stir it all together and allow to simmer until ready to serve.
- For the chicken, preheat your deep fryer or oil filled pot to 325F. To a bowl add eggs, flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk together and set aside.
- To a second bowl, add the remaining ingredients listed under "for the chicken" and blend together.
- Place your butterflied chicken in a ziploc bag then using a mallet, pound the chicken into a thin cutlet.
- Set up a breading station next to your deep fryer starting from left to right with your butterflied and flattened chicken, then eggs, then bread crumb mixture.
- Dip the chicken in the egg mixture then the bread crumb mixture, then carefully place in the hot oil. Deep fry flipping half way through for approximately 10 minutes/ until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Then remove to a paper towel or cooling wrack to remove excess oil.
- Place cooked chicken on a cookie sheet and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Place under broiler just until cheese is melted.
- Add cooked spaghetti noodles to prepared sauce and toss together. Add a serving to a plate and top with your chicken. Serve hot and enjoy.
Whether it's Sweet or Savoury, let it be made with Love!
References:
- Diane, 2023, "Why Is It Called Chicken Parmesan If It’s Made with Mozzarella? (Explained!)" https://choosingcheese.com/why-is-it-called-chicken-parmesan-if-its-made-with-mozzarella/#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20the%20word,in%20southern%20regions%20of%20Italy.
- Wikipedia, "Chicken parmesan"
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_parmesan#:~:text=The%20dish%2C%20also%20known%20as,American%20cuisine%20by%20the%201950s).