Damon Mcknight
Chicken Parmigiana, also known as Chicken Parmy, Chicken Parmi, or simply Parma, is a beloved dish in Australia. It is a baked dish made with crumbed chicken breasts, smothered in a rich tomato sauce, and covered with melted cheese. The key to making juicy chicken parmigiana is to brine the chicken before frying and baking it, ensuring it remains moist and flavourful. The tomato sauce can be made from scratch with passata, herbs, and optional white wine and chicken stock for added depth. The chicken is then coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before frying, and finally baked with the sauce and cheese until molten and golden. Chicken Parmigiana is often served with a side of fries and a crisp salad, making it a true Australian classic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Dish Name | Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Parmy, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Parma, Chicken Parmi |
| Type of Dish | Main Course |
| Cuisine | Italian-Australian |
| Cooking Style | Fried and Baked |
| Ingredients | Chicken Breasts, Flour, Eggs, Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Oil, Tomato Sauce, Oregano, Basil, Salt, Pepper, Italian Herb Mix, White Wine, Chicken Stock/Broth, Tomato Passata, Italian Mixed Herbs |
| Accompaniments | Salad, French Fries, Beer, Chardonnay, Pasta |
| Variations | Use of pre-made schnitzel, Addition of Ham, Bacon, Beetroot, Fried Egg |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation and frying
Chicken parmigiana, also known as chicken parmy, chicken parma, or chicken parmi, is a popular dish in Australia. It is made with crumbed chicken breasts, smothered in a rich tomato sauce and covered with melted cheese. Here is a detailed guide to preparing and frying the chicken for this delicious dish.
Chicken Preparation:
Start by slicing each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner pieces. This technique ensures even cooking and a faster cooking time. Next, season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs or oregano. You can also use a dry brine of salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to keep the chicken juicy during the cooking process.
Now, it's time to set up your breading station. Spread flour on a plate. In a shallow bowl, whisk an egg. On another plate, combine breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese. You can use fresh or panko breadcrumbs for a crispy texture. Season the breadcrumbs with additional herbs if desired.
Take each piece of chicken and coat it with the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, ensuring it is well coated. Finally, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to cover all sides evenly. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.
Frying the Chicken:
Heat a generous amount of olive oil or regular cooking oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. You want the oil to be about 1/8 inch deep, or alternatively, heat the oil to 180°C. Fry the breaded chicken in batches if necessary, being careful not to crowd the pan. Fry each side for approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken and your desired level of doneness.
Once the chicken is fried to a golden brown perfection, transfer it to a baking tray or plate. If you prefer to use an air fryer, place the breaded chicken in the basket with a drizzle or spray of oil. Air fry for around 12-15 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking.
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Making the Parmigiana sauce
For extra flavour, add a splash of white wine and let it evaporate to remove the alcohol content, leaving only flavour behind. You can also add chicken stock or broth for an extra savoury kick. If you're short on time, you can use a good-quality jar of pasta sauce as a base and add your seasonings to it.
Once the sauce is ready, spread 2-3 tablespoons of it over your fried chicken, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Place the chicken under the grill to finish cooking and melt the cheese.
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Baking the chicken
Chicken Parmigiana, also known as Chicken Parmy, Chicken Parmy, or simply Parmi, is a beloved pub food in Australia. This dish consists of crumbed chicken breasts smothered in a rich tomato sauce and plenty of melted cheese.
Step 1: Brining the Chicken
Before baking, it is essential to brine the chicken to keep it juicy. Create a dry brine using salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Apply this brine to the chicken as a marinade. Dry brine helps maintain moisture in the chicken during the cooking process, preventing it from becoming dry and ensuring a juicy final product.
Step 2: Preparing the Chicken for Baking
Cut the chicken breasts horizontally to create two thinner pieces. This step ensures even cooking. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and oregano. Then, follow a standard flour-egg-breadcrumb coating process:
- Spread flour on a plate and coat the chicken pieces evenly, shaking off any excess.
- Beat eggs in a shallow bowl and dip the floured chicken into it.
- Prepare a plate with a mixture of breadcrumbs and, optionally, Parmesan cheese. Toss the egg-coated chicken in this mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated.
- Place the coated chicken on a baking rack and chill for 20-30 minutes. This step helps the coating adhere to the chicken and ensures a crispier texture.
Step 3: Baking Instructions
Preheat your oven to a suitable temperature, typically around 180°C. Transfer the crumbed chicken to a baking tray. If desired, you can fry the chicken lightly before baking to achieve a golden colour. Bake the chicken for approximately 15 minutes. The exact baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and your oven's temperature, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Step 4: Adding the Sauce and Cheese
Once the chicken is baked, it's time to add the sauce and cheese. Spread a generous amount of your prepared tomato sauce over the baked chicken. Top it with slices of fresh or grated mozzarella cheese. Return the chicken to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5-8 additional minutes.
Final Thoughts
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Serving suggestions
Chicken Parmigiana, also known as Chicken Parmy, Chicken Parmi, or Parma, is a beloved dish in Australia. It is often served with a side of French fries or chips and a crisp, plain leafy salad dressed with balsamic dressing. It is also popular to serve it with a glass of Australian Chardonnay or beer.
For a true Aussie experience, you can add ham or bacon to the chicken. You can also get creative with toppings, such as Greek, Cajun corn, or Mexican.
Chicken Parmigiana is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a weeknight dinner or weekend lunch. It can be prepared in advance, and the sauce can be made up to three days before and kept chilled.
Whether enjoyed at a sunny pub in Sydney or made at home, Chicken Parmigiana is a delicious and crowd-pleasing meal.
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Vegetarian alternatives
Chicken Parmigiana, or Chicken Parmesan, is a beloved pub food in Australia. The dish consists of crumbed chicken breasts smothered in a rich tomato sauce and melted cheese. To make it vegetarian, you can replace the chicken with sliced and crumbed eggplant, which is the traditional Italian version of the dish, known as melanzane alla Parmigiana. Here are some other vegetarian alternatives to chicken parmigiana:
Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan is a widely popular vegetarian alternative to chicken parmigiana. It is made by slicing and crumbling eggplants, which are then layered with tomato sauce and cheese. While the texture of eggplant may differ from chicken, it is still a delicious option for those who want a vegetarian version of the dish.
Vegetarian "Chicken" Parmesan
For those craving the taste and texture of chicken parmesan, there are vegetarian options available. Some companies, such as Morningstar, offer faux chicken patties that can be used in place of real chicken. These vegetarian "chicken" cutlets can be breaded and baked, then topped with dairy-free cheese and marinara sauce.
Vegan Chicken Parmesan
For vegans or those who want a plant-based alternative, there are vegan chicken parmesan recipes available. One popular option is to use seitan, a plant-based protein, as a substitute for chicken. The seitan is breaded and baked, then topped with vegan cheese and marinara sauce. Another option is to use tofu as a substitute for chicken. The tofu can be frozen, thawed, and marinated in a garlic and chickeny flavour bath before being breaded and baked.
It is important to note that traditional parmesan cheese may not be suitable for vegetarians as it contains rennet, which is derived from animal intestines. However, there are vegetarian and vegan parmesan cheese alternatives available, such as the brand Violife, which can be used as a substitute.
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