Chicken parmesan might be a term foreign to Italy, yet it is extensively featured on Italian-American menus from as early as the 1950s. It was most likely an interpretation of eggplant parmigiana from traditional Italy according to the New York Times. Reportedly created by Italians who migrated into America's northeast region, this well-liked menu item blends a breaded meat cutlet (a rarity in Italy), zesty tomato puree and melted mozzarella cheese.
Most Italian-American cuisine places still serve chicken parm today nationwide even though various kitchen processes result in varying taste profiles. Some chefs enthusiastically approach their recipes with only high-grade ingredients while others may resort to taking shortcuts.
Considering that restaurant menus seldom enumerate all components, pricing can be revealing both ways: glowing or damning. Low price tags usually spell bad news about ingredient quality says Domenico Sacramone - chef and proprietor at Sac's Place which is located in New York City: An amazing chicken parm often features organic chicken slices along with homemade seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan plus a DIY tomato sauce . "Additionally," he advocates cooking these chicken slices using fresh vegetable oil". These combined factors greatly infuse more texture & flavoring within dishes.
Albert Chicago's Executive Chef Steve Chiappetti prefers variation with his personal version of chicken parmesan. He accomplishes that through finely slicing the thickest portion alongside the breast into a butterfly cut, thus providing more surface area for seasoning breadcrumbs using ground onion, garlic, oregano and shredded parmesan cheese to enhance flavor.
In his opinion,"at least twice dipping procedure is needed which gives mildly crusted chicken slices before cooking to retain moisture beneath". Along with a simple sauce made from tomato & garlic on top plus grated mozzarella sprinkling over it if following Italian-American tradition".
While every element cannot be controlled in restaurant dining experiences, many Italian kitchens consistently put out delectable versions of chicken parmesan loaded with flavours using top-shelf ingredients. Here's eight such notable chains ranging between legacy establishments running several decades now up until relatively new entrants emphasizing this iconic dish.
Parm
The casual, Italian-inspired restaurant chain named "Parm," with numerous outlets in places like New York and Boston, is known for their delicious chicken parm, from which the establishment gets its name. Reviewers on Yelp convey appreciation for the dish's superior taste as well as the "perfect" tomato sauce accompanying it.
On their menu, this signature chicken parm is available both sandwich-style (option of a sweet semolina roll or authentic sesame hero), or you can decide to have it served up plate style with a side dish of spicy rotini pasta. Enhance your overall dining experience at Parm by pairing your meal with their characteristic Caesar salad and finishing off with the crowd-favorite three-flavor ice cream cake.
Carmine's Italian
Check out Carmine's! If you're in search of a high-quality Italian eatery that revolves around the concept of family-style meals, then there's no better place than Carmine's. This renowned restaurant has branches across New York, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and even the Bahamas! It offers an array of extensive menu items suitable for sharing among friends or family like delectable baked clams, exotic veal Marsala, and delectable shrimp marinara.
Significantly renowned for utilizing top-of-the-line recipes, one dish you absolutely have to sample is their chicken parmesan. Vigorously crafted from quarter-inch-thick chicken cutlets duly bathed in egg mixture coated with flour and crumbs before being crisply fried in pure vegetable oil. The resulting delicacy is smothered with gooey mozzarella and Romano cheese and finally served atop luscious marinara sauce.
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Image courtesy of Romano's Macaroni Grill
Established around 35 years ago in Denver, Macaroni Grill has firmly positioned itself as one of the top-notch Italian restaurant chains. On its menu, you will find an assortment of Italian and Mediterranean fare, including the ever-popular chicken parm from the Italian-American community. The version served by this chain features a Milanese-style breaded chicken breast doused with imported Pomodorina tomato puree. This dish is then garnished with melted mozzarella cheese and paired up with a generous portion of Capellini.
Patrizia's
Delicious dishes, homestyle meals, and a vibrant and dynamic environment — who could ask for anything more in a dining place? This well-known Italian restaurant chain, with outposts in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Florida and Aruba serves up an extensive menu of impeccably cooked selections. These include veal marsala, shrimp scampi, branzino (European sea bass), as well as beef carpaccio. Moreover its chicken parmesan is unsurprisingly popular choice: The breaded chicken cutlet is served topped with tomato sauce alongside parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Should it be ordered as a main course it also comes coupled with pasta on the side.
Maggiano's Little Italy
Visit Maggiano's Little Italy/Yelp for some delectable glimpses. It is known for its top-notch quality and welcoming atmosphere, complete with a family-style menu on offering. You can always trust Maggiano's Little Italy to deliver nothing less than the best.
The exclusive dishes extend from stuffed mushrooms to their unique rigatoni "D" - a delightful combination of herb-roasted chicken, caramelized onions, and marsala cream sauce served atop mushrooms. There is also our crowd favorite dish - the Chicken Parmesan. Prepared using Provolone cheese topped with thick marinara sauce alongside spaghetti – this dish will surely leave you coming back for more.
Carrabba's
Visit Carrabba's website here if you're looking for a touch of authentic Italian-American cuisine. Founded in the 1980s, this popular food chain proudly boasts over 200 branches scattered across regions such as United States, Canada and Brazil.
One distinctively mouthwatering entrée to try out is their chicken parmesan dish which features Mama Mandola's bread crumbs and an exquisite combination of Parmesan, Romano and Mozzarella cheeses garnished with homemade tomato sauce from the kitchen. The plate also comes with either a soup or salad on size and another side dish.
The serving is creatively fashioned using fresh chicken patties instead of frozen ones setting it apart in its class. No wonder one customer had this to say about it; she labelled it "best chicken parm,” as noted by her comment via TripAdvisor review here, not to mention reiterating that Carraba's chicken patties are fresh, never frozen.
Giordano's
Giordano's, @NickTalurus / X has a lot more to offer beyond its expertise in Chicago-style pizza. Within their diverse menu, they serve fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti topped with meat sauce, and a parmesan-crusted pan pizza.
One of the standout dishes is their chicken parmesan. This mouth-watering dish features breaded chicken cutlets lathered in melted mozzarella cheese then baked within Giordano's homemade marinara sauce. Making it even better - each order comes alongside Barilla spaghetti serving as an excellent side dish.
Buca di Beppo
Access their menu via the link: Buca di Beppo Menu
"Buca di Beppo", when translated, implies "Joe's Small Place". It is a family-style dining establishment that has offered Italian-American culinary traditions since its inception in the early 1990s. Their Chicken Parmesan meal stands out and is worth sampling; it comprises breaded chicken cutlets complemented by homemade marinara sauce coated with mozzarella cheese sprinkled with parsley for garnish. Combine this delicious entree with chopped antipasti salad, stuffed pasta shells or even really sumptuous Italian broccoli Romano to further enhance your culinary experience.
