Why Is There No Parmesan In Chicken Parmesan?

The famous Italian-American dish Chicken Parmesan is made with a breaded chicken cutlet, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. But, despite its name, most Chicken Parmesan recipes don’t actually include Parmesan cheese. So why is it called Chicken Parmesan when it doesn’t have the important Parmesan ingredient?

The History Behind Chicken Parmesan

To understand why there is no Parmesan in Chicken Parmesan, we have to look at the origins of the dish. Chicken Parmesan is believed to have been created by Italian immigrants in the United States during the early 20th century.

These immigrants were trying to bring the tastes of Italy to America using ingredients that were easier to find at the time. Because Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese was expensive and hard to find in the US, immigrants switched to cheaper cheeses like mozzarella and provolone instead.

The name “Parmesan” may have been used as a generic term for Italian cheese, rather than specifying the distinctive Parmigiano-Reggiano. The name Chicken Parmesan was essentially just a way for the immigrants to convey that the dish contained Italian flavors reminiscent of dishes from their homeland.

Over time, as the dish evolved and spread in popularity across American restaurants and households, the misnomer of “Parmesan” stuck even though true Parmigiano-Reggiano remained rare in Chicken Parmesan recipes.

Why Mozzarella Became the Go-To Cheese

So why specifically did mozzarella become one of the predominant cheeses used in Chicken Parmesan instead of Parmesan?

Mozzarella had a few advantages:

• Cost – Fresh mozzarella was much more affordable and accessible in the US compared to Parmigiano-Reggiano, which had to be imported. This made it a budget-friendly alternative.

• Melting properties – Mozzarella and other Italian cheese like provolone melt beautifully when baked. Parmesan has a granular texture that doesn’t fully melt into a smooth, gooey consistency.

• Mild flavor – Mozzarella has a relatively mild, milky flavor compared to the sharp, nutty Parmesan. For Chicken Parmesan, a milder melting cheese helps highlight the flavors of the chicken and tomato sauce rather than overpowering them.

• Tradition: When Chicken Parmesan first appeared on American restaurant menus and cookbooks, mozzarella was already in use as the standard cheese. Recipes stuck to the usual way of making the dish instead of adding Parmesan to make it new.

Since Chicken Parmesan came from Italy and changed a bit when it came to America, mozzarella was the perfect, melty topping.

Does Authentic Chicken Parmesan Use Parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan is generally considered an Italian-American dish rather than an authentic Italian recipe. However, in Italy, a similar dish called pollo alla parmigiana does include Parmesan cheese.

The key differences between the Italian and American versions:

• Cheese – The Italian version uses Parmesan or a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella. The American version relies on mozzarella.

• Breading – Italian Chicken Parmesan has a lighter breading seasoned with Parmesan and herbs. American Chicken Parmesan features a heavy breadcrumb coating.

• Tomato sauce – The tomato sauce served with pollo alla parmigiana in Italy has a brighter, fresher flavor. American Chicken Parmesan often uses a heavier marinara sauce.

• Frying – In Italy, the chicken cutlets are quickly fried just until golden rather than heavily deep fried resulting in a lighter dish overall.

So the Italian take on Chicken Parmesan is made more authentically with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese true to its name. The Americanized Chicken Parmesan diverged over the years into its own unique comfort food tradition without the signature Parmesan flavor.

Should You Add Parmesan to Chicken Parmesan?

Since Chicken Parmesan doesn’t contain Parmesan, should you add it to up the savoriness and make the dish more authentic? Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

• Adds a punch of rich, nutty, savory Parmesan flavor.

• Makes the dish more authentic to original Italian versions like pollo alla parmigiana.

• Provides a nice crunch and textural contrast if you sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top.

• Parmesan has a lower moisture content than mozzarella, so it can help prevent the dish from becoming too watery.

Cons:

• Changes the expected flavor profile that people associate with Chicken Parmesan.

• Adds additional expense to the dish. Parmesan is one of the more costly cheese varieties.

• The granular texture of grated Parmesan may seem out of place compared to the smooth melted mozzarella.

• Parmesan’s bold flavor can overpower rather than complement the other components.

• If using both Parmesan and mozzarella, the cheese flavors will compete rather than blend evenly.

Whether you opt to add Parmesan to your Chicken Parmesan or not is a matter of personal preference. Purists may scoff at the addition, while others appreciate the extra dimension of flavor and authenticity it provides. Just don’t expect your Chicken Parmesan to taste exactly the same with the addition of Parmesan – it will transform the dish!

Quick Tips for Adding Parmesan

If you do decide to incorporate some Parmesan into your Chicken Parmesan, here are some tips:

• Use a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella rather than all Parmesan for the right balance of flavors and textures.

• Grated Parmesan can be sprinkled lightly on top of the melted mozzarella layer right before serving for a fresh finishing crunch.

• Add a layer of grated Parmesan to the chicken breading for additional Italian flavor. Just watch moisture levels.

• Stir a couple tablespoons of grated Parmesan into the tomato sauce for a rich, savory depth.

• Top the completed Chicken Parmesan with some Parmesan shavings using a vegetable peeler for pretty garnish.

• Parmesan lends itself better to light dustings rather than heavy-handed sprinklings to keep its punchy flavor in check.

So feel free to experiment with small amounts of Parmesan to customize your Chicken Parmesan. Just don’t load it up too heavily, or the dish may seem out of balance. Ultimately, it’s about achieving the right combination of cheeses and flavors to suit your tastes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Chicken Parmesan if it doesn’t contain Parmesan?

The name is a nod to the dish’s Italian origins, but “Parmesan” was used generically for Italian cheese rather than specifying Parmigiano-Reggiano. Mozzarella and provolone became the typical cheeses since Parmesan was hard to source in the U.S.

Is Chicken Parmesan considered Italian or Italian-American cuisine?

Chicken Parmesan is widely regarded as an Italian-American dish rather than true Italian cuisine. Italy has its own version called pollo alla parmigiana that does contain Parmesan.

What’s the difference between Parmesan and mozzarella?

Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a granular texture and robust, nutty flavor. Mozzarella is a soft, mild, milky cheese that melts smoothly.

Why use mozzarella instead of Parmesan in Chicken Parmesan?

Mozzarella melts beautifully, is more affordable than Parmesan, and has a milder flavor that highlights the chicken and sauce rather than overpowering them.

Does authentic Italian Chicken Parmesan contain Parmesan cheese?

Yes, the Italian version of Chicken Parmesan (pollo alla parmigiana) includes Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese while the American version typically uses mozzarella.