When you come to Main Course Market, you’ll find everything you need to make a delicious dinner for your family or just yourself. You can also find the best ready-made meals in the Boston area. This way, you can enjoy a home-cooked meal without having to cook it.
It is easier than you might think to make a meal feel special when you are cooking it. All you have to do is choose the right ingredients. Two things that everyone knows go well together are meat and cheese, but which ones?.
Chicken is a versatile protein that can be cooked in a lot of different ways. This meat is a mainstay in many homes, used for everything from fried chicken to chicken parmesan. Even though chicken is delicious on its own, adding cheese makes it even better by making it rich and creamy. But there are so many kinds of cheese out there that it can be hard to figure out which one goes best with chicken. This complete guide will teach you all the different ways to pair chicken and cheese so you can make delicious chicken dishes.
The Art of Pairing Cheese and Chicken
Pairing cheese with chicken is an art form The chosen cheese should enhance the flavors of the chicken instead of overpowering them. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a cheese for chicken
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Cooking method – Frying, baking, grilling etc. interact differently with cheese. A cheese like aged gouda goes well with grilled chicken, while brie is best when baked.
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Seasonings: Cheeses that go well with or don’t go well with spices, marinades, and rubs are needed. A sharp cheddar goes well with barbecue chicken, and a mild havarti goes well with lemon-herb chicken.
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Desired taste – Do you want an indulgent richness, sharp tanginess or smooth balance? Different cheeses provide diverse tasting experiences.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore some winning cheese and chicken pairings.
Soft Cheeses
Known for their velvety texture and mild flavor, soft cheeses pair beautifully with chicken.
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Brie – The buttery notes of brie complement chicken perfectly. For a fancy meal, melt it over chicken breasts that have been pan-fried or baked.
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Goat Cheese – Its tangy flavor contrasts rich chicken. Stuff goat cheese inside chicken breasts with herbs for a scrumptious bite.
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Cream Cheese – A kitchen staple, cream cheese enhances chicken’s flavors in pastas, dips and more without overpowering.
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Mascarpone – With its rich, slightly sweet flavor, mascarpone adds decadence to chicken in risottos, lasagnas and pastas.
Semi-Hard Cheeses
With a firm texture and bolder flavor, semi-hard cheeses stand up well to chicken.
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Monterey Jack – With its mild, creamy flavor, Monterey Jack wins as the most versatile cheese for chicken. Melt it over anything!
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Havarti – This buttery, slightly sweet cheese complements chicken’s savoriness in sandwiches, grilled cheese etc.
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Provolone – Its mild tanginess accents Italian chicken dishes like chicken parmesan and chicken paninis.
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Gouda – Especially smoked gouda, the deep, nutty caramel notes add complexity to chicken pot pies, casseroles and more.
Hard Cheeses
Boasting intense flavor and crumbly texture, hard cheeses pack a punch with chicken. Use them judiciously.
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Parmesan – This salty, savory cheese enhances chicken parmesan, chicken pasta and salads without overpowering.
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Asiago – With a sharp, nutty zing, Asiago adds flair when grated over chicken or baked in gratins.
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Cheddar – Sharp cheddar contrasts rich chicken but use sparingly as the flavor can overwhelm delicate chicken.
Best Cheeses for Popular Chicken Dishes
Beyond the basics, let’s explore cheeses tailored to specific chicken preparations:
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Chicken Parmesan – Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone
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Chicken Enchiladas – Monterey jack, cheddar, Mexican blend
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Chicken Salad – Feta, goat, blue cheese crumbles
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Chicken Sandwiches – Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack
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Chicken Pizza – Mozzarella, feta, brie
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Chicken Alfredo – Parmesan, Asiago, Romano
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Buffalo Chicken Dip – Blue cheese, cheddar, cream cheese
Pro Tips for Chicken and Cheese Pairings
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Rub chicken with herb-cheese mixtures before cooking for intense flavor infusion.
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Stuff cheeses like goat cheese inside chicken breasts alongside herbs, vegetables etc.
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Combine 2-3 cheeses like Monterey Jack and cheddar for multi-dimensional flavors.
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Match the fat content of the cheese to the chicken. Pair fattier chicken with bolder cheeses.
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For baked chicken, add cheese in the last 10-15 minutes only to prevent burning.
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Use cheese sauces like cheddar or cheese fondue as flavorful toppings for chicken.
Off the Beaten Path: Adventurous Cheese Pairings
Beyond classics like cheddar and Monterey Jack, venture into new cheese territories:
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Chicken and Boursin Cheese Crostini
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Chicken Parmesan with Burrata Cheese
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Chicken Florentine Casserole with Gruyère
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Chicken Tagine with Halloumi Cheese
Don’t be afraid to experiment with various cheese varieties, types and flavors to find your perfect chicken partner. The options are endless!
Healthier Cheese Options for Chicken
For lighter yet flavorful options try:
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Part-skim mozzarella
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Feta cheese
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Parmesan (use sparingly)
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Low-fat swiss
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Reduced-fat cheddar
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Low-fat cream cheese
While not as indulgent, these cheeses add lots of flavor without the extra calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cheese is best for grilled chicken sandwiches?
Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack and provolone are great grilled chicken sandwich cheeses. They melt beautifully and complement chicken’s flavors.
What cheese works with spicy chicken dishes?
Try a mild, creamy cheese like Monterey Jack, havarti or mozzarella with spicy chicken to balance the heat. Queso fresco also cools things down.
Which cheeses should be avoided with chicken?
Pungent cheeses like blue, feta and goat cheese can overpower delicate chicken. Extremely soft cheeses may also make chicken dishes too rich.
What’s the best cheese for chicken enchiladas?
Monterey Jack melts perfectly in chicken enchiladas. For more flavor, use a Mexican blend with cheeses like queso fresco, cotija and asadero.
What cheese pairs well with lemon chicken?
Bright, acidic cheeses like feta, goat and halloumi contrast lemon chicken beautifully. A sprinkle of Parmesan also accents lemony flavors.
Conclusion
Chicken and cheese form a match made in culinary heaven. With so many cheese varieties available, experiment to find your perfect pairings. Just keep the chicken’s flavors, cooking method and any seasonings in mind. Aim for balance – the cheese should elevate the chicken, not overwhelm. With these tips and tricks, you can create delectable chicken and cheese duos everyone will rave about.
Let us help you make dinner tonight by recommending two cheeses to pair with beef, pork, and chicken.
- Blau Cheese: The strong, sharp tastes of blue cheese go well with the strong, rich tastes of beef. If you want to go with a juicy steak, try Gorgonzola or Roquefort bleu cheese. Beef and bleu cheese go great together, whether you crumble some on top of your warm sandwich or put some in your leftovers.
- Cheddar: Beef goes well with the sharp, nutty flavor of cheddar cheese. You could put extra-sharp cheddar on your burger or mild cheddar in your roast beef sandwich.
- Brie: The mild, buttery taste of brie cheese goes well with the delicate taste of pork. The tastes and textures will go well together whether you put it on roast pork or serve it with pork tenderloin.
- Gouda: The nutty, caramel-like taste of gouda cheese goes well with the rich taste of pork. A smoked pork chop goes well with a smoked gouda, and a pork schnitzel goes well with an aged gouda.
- Chèvre: The mild taste of chicken goes well with the fresh, sour taste of chèvre cheese. Grilled chicken breast goes well with fresh chèvre. You can also put whipped chèvre in chicken salad.
- Parmesan Cheese: Chicken and parmesan go well together, and there’s a good reason for that. The strong, salty taste of parmesan brings out the rich taste of chicken. Grated Parmesan goes well with any Italian dish, so add some to your chicken and pasta dish!
Prepared Meals in Boston from Main Course Market
Main Course Market is the place to go when you want a great meal. For those who want to cook, we have everything you need. If you don’t have time, try one of our tasty meals instead. (You won’t find better anywhere in Boston!).