The Perfect Sauce for Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that brings together flavorful, breaded chicken cutlets, tomato sauce, and melted cheese While the chicken and cheese are key, finding the right sauce to tie it all together is crucial The sauce not only adds moisture and flavor to the chicken, but also helps the cheese melt beautifully over the top. So what sauce goes best with chicken parm? Here’s a look at some top options for getting the perfect sauce for this crowd-pleasing dish.

Traditional Tomato Sauce

An authentic tomato sauce is the most traditional choice to pair with chicken parm. Tomato sauce has been used in chicken parmesan for generations, as the tangy tomato flavor complements the crunchy breaded chicken cutlets and gooey melted cheese perfectly. When making chicken parm at home, you can prepare your own simple tomato sauce from scratch using canned tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Simmer until thickened. Or opt for a high-quality jarred tomato sauce, ideally one with ingredients like tomatoes, olive oil, and spices. Look for a tomato sauce with some texture that will cling nicely to the chicken.

Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is another excellent option for chicken parm. Like tomato sauce, it has tomatoes as the base along with olive oil, onions, garlic, and herbs. But marinara often has a bit more flavor punch from ingredients like red wine, balsamic vinegar, or roasted vegetables. So marinara can add even more depth and dimension to chicken parm. High-quality jarred marinara sauces can work well. Or make your own by simmering canned crushed tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, red wine, and balsamic. The flavors will meld beautifully.

Vodka Sauce

For a creamier take on chicken parm, turn to vodka sauce. Vodka sauce has a tomato base similar to marinara. But it gets silky texture and richness from the addition of cream and Parmesan cheese. The vodka adds depth of flavor without making the sauce boozy. When vodka sauce melts into breaded chicken breasts and mozzarella, you get a wonderfully luxurious chicken parm experience. Ready-made vodka sauce from the grocery store makes easy weeknight chicken parms a breeze. Or DIY it by adding cream, grated Parmesan, and vodka to tomato sauce.

Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is a non-tomato based option for putting a creative spin on chicken parm. Alfredo sauce gets its velvety smoothness from butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Using alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce gives you creamy, comforting chicken parm vibes. Jarred alfredo sauce can work in a pinch. For best results, make alfredo sauce yourself by simmering heavy cream with butter, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, and seasoning. The rich, cheesy alfredo sauce may become your new favorite way to sauce up chicken parm.

Pesto

Herb-loaded pesto is a fresh take on saucing chicken parm Basil pesto is the most common, made with basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil processed to a textured sauce Swap in traditional tomato sauce with basil pesto for a chicken parm with vibrant herbal flavor. The pine nuts or walnuts in pesto also give you some nice crunch. Store-bought pesto works well, but try making your own for scratch-made chicken parm dinner. Other pesto varieties like sun-dried tomato pesto or arugula pesto also pair deliciously with chicken parm.

Putting It All Together

When it comes to assembling your sauced-up chicken parm start with lightly floured chicken breast cutlets dipped in egg wash and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Pan fry until golden and crispy. Top with warm sauce and shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Bake until the cheese is melty and delicious. Serve over a bed of pasta or with garlic bread and a salad for a complete chicken parm dinner.

While tomato sauce is the tried and true choice, don’t be afraid to experiment with different sauces for chicken parm. Bust out of the tomato sauce rut with creamy vodka sauce, pesto, or alfredo. The possibilities are nearly endless for saucing up chicken cutlets. Use high-quality jarred sauces or make your own for the best flavor. The right sauce can make all the difference in taking your chicken parm to new tasty heights. So explore all the options to find your perfect sauce match for this Italian-American classic.

For Chicken Parmesan, marinara sauce is the most commonly used and traditional choice. It’s a simple tomato-based sauce, often with garlic, herbs, and sometimes a touch of onion.

Chicken Parmesan is commonly served with pasta, particularly spaghetti, and a side of marinara sauce.