Chicken Parmesan, also known as chicken parmigiana, is a popular dish that consists of a breaded chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
The classic Italian dish, chicken parmesan – also known as chicken parmigiana – has been given a fresh twist by food enthusiasts who are constantly reinventing the way they whip it up.
Traditionally, the dish is made up of a breaded chicken breast smothered in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Some people even choose to add ham or bacon for an extra flavour kick.
However, according to culinary buffs on Reddit, there are a few simple hacks you can use to make the best version of this dish.
When one curious user posed the question, ‘What would be the best and simplest way to cook a chicken Parmesan with cheese on top?’ fellow foodies were quick to share their top tips. They suggest that with just a few easy steps, you can add the finishing touches to the dish in mere minutes, reports the Express.
Their advice includes seasoning a chicken breast with salt and pepper, then “dredging” it through flour, egg and breadcrumbs. They recommend frying it next, before smothering the top with tomato sauce, Parmesan and low-moisture mozzarella.
After this, they propose popping it under the grill for a “couple of minutes”. This high-heat method helps to crisp up the chicken and quickly brown the cheese on top.
In a light-hearted tone, they added: “It is the most carby thing on the planet, so I like a salad with it. Boom Shakalak, dish is done!”.
Another user chipped in to reveal they have the “laziest way” of preparing their beloved Chicken Parmesan, relying on shop-bought ingredients. An alternative approach they recommend involves purchasing a pre-breaded chicken fillet and a jar of pasta sauce, placing it in a dish with the sauce poured over, sprinkling cheese on top and roasting it all in the oven.
Additional techniques were put forward involving gadgets like an air fryer. They explained that when using an air fryer, you can opt for boneless or skinless thighs after dipping them in flour, egg and panko or breadcrumbs.
Then once it’s golden, they recommend the instant you spread a coating of sauce over with the mozzarella, air fry again until the cheese has bubbled perfectly.
Contributing their own tip, one passionate home cook revealed that “while frying is the orthodox way”, they opted to oven-cook theirs completely. Employing a Shake-N-Bake style coating and adhering to the packet guidelines delivers the outcome they desire; simply incorporating their cheese during the final moments for the finishing flourish.
Standard ingredients for a chicken Parmesan include:
- 2 large, skinless chicken breasts, halved in the middle.
- 2 eggs beaten.
- 75g breadcrumb.
- 75g grated parmesan.
- 1 tbsp olive oil.
- 2 crushed garlic cloves.
- Half a jar of passata (around 350 ml).
- 1 tsp caster sugar.
- 1 tsp dried oregano.