Satisfy Your Craving: Find the Best Chicken Parm Near Me

Chicken parmesan is one of those classic Italian-American dishes that never seems to go out of style. Who can resist the irresistible combination of crispy breaded chicken cutlets smothered in tomato sauce and melted mozzarella? When a craving for this comfort food strikes, you want to know where to find the best chicken parm near you to satisfy it

What Exactly is Chicken Parmesan?

Chicken parmesan, also sometimes called chicken parmigiana, is a dish that originated in southern Italy. Chicken cutlets are breaded and fried or baked, then topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese, usually mozzarella or parmesan. Some versions may also include toppings like sliced ham or pepperoni. The dish is often served with a side of pasta.

Traditionally, chicken parmigiana uses Parmesan cheese, while chicken parmesan uses mozzarella. But in the U.S., the terms are used interchangeably. The dish was brought to the States by Italian immigrants and eventually became a staple of Italian-American cooking.

What Makes a Great Chicken Parm?

A great chicken parm starts with high-quality ingredients The chicken should be fresh and pounded thin so it cooks up tender and crispy Fresh, hand-breaded cutlets are ideal. The tomato sauce should taste bold and savory, not bland. And the cheese should be fresh and melt into delicious gooey goodness.

Some key signs you’ve found a winner:

• Crispy, non-greasy breading – The breading stays crunchy, even when soaked with sauce
• Juicy chicken – The cutlets are tender and full of flavor
• Bright, rich tomato sauce – Not just a bland coating but a sauce with depth of flavor
• High-quality melted cheese – Oozes beautifully when you cut into the chicken
• Well-balanced flavors – No single element overpowers; all components work in harmony

Beyond the components themselves, the proportions also matter. There should be just the right amount of sauce and cheese so neither overpowers the chicken.

Where to Find the Best Chicken Parm Near Me

Finding that chicken parm that hits the spot can take some searching. Here are some of the best places to find quality chicken parmesan close to home:

Italian Restaurants

Authentic Italian restaurants are a natural place to find well-executed chicken parm. Check menus at local Italian spots to see which ones offer a version of this classic. A high-end Italian restaurant may put an upscale spin on chicken parm by using fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Mid-range family-style Italian spots are also a safe bet for tasty, comforting chicken parm. Their portions may be generous and flavors nostalgic.

Pizza Places

Chicken parmesan is a common offering at pizzerias, where it’s often served alongside pasta as an entrée option. In fact, some pizza-focused places have perfected their chicken parm recipes. The breading and frying method used on pizza chicken wings often translates well to making crispy cutlets. And pizzerias typically have great marinara sauce and melted mozz on hand.

Casual Dining Chains

If you’re looking for a satisfying chicken parm across the U.S., casual dining chains like Olive Garden, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Maggiano’s Little Italy all offer chicken parm on their menus. Because it’s a staple dish at these spots, their recipes are usually reliably tasty. Portion sizes tend to be generous as well.

Take-Out Joints

Take-out specialty shops focusing on Italian dishes often provide chicken parm options. You may find dedicated chicken parm sandwiches or plates at pizza-by-the-slice take-out windows. Italian delis and food trucks also frequently offer take-out chicken parm.

Bonus: take-out lets you eat chicken parm in the comfort of your own home. No need to change out of your pajamas!

Delivery

When you’d rather have your chicken parm come to you, delivery is the way to go. Services like DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats make it easy to browse local restaurants offering chicken parm near your location. You can check menus and reviews before placing an order for delivery.

Tips for Ordering Chicken Parm To-Go

Take-out and delivery chicken parm make for great convenient meals. But since you won’t be eating it immediately after it’s prepared, here are some tips for ideal take-out chicken parm experiences:

• Travel well: Opt for chicken parm sandwiches or personal servings instead of family-style chicken parm platters, which won’t travel as well.

• Keep it crispy: Request extra sauce and cheese on the side so cutlets don’t get soggy.

• Choose wisely: Go for take-out chicken parm from restaurants known for quality Italian food rather than quick heat-and-serve versions.

• Order ahead: Call in your order or order online in advance at popular spots so you’re not waiting long.

• Pick it up: Opt for take-out rather than delivery when possible to avoid chicken parm cooling and sogging during transit.

• Use hot bags: Ask for hot food bags or packing if available, or bring your own insulated carrier.

Simple Ways to Make Chicken Parm at Home

While going out for chicken parm is a treat, making it at home is also a satisfying option. Here are some quick and easy methods:

• Bake pre-breaded cutlets: Buy frozen breaded chicken cutlets and just bake them with sauce and cheese on top.

• Use chicken parm from the deli: Many grocery store delis offer ready-made hot chicken parm you just need to reheat.

• Make chicken parm sandwiches: Top breaded chicken patties with sauce and cheese on a roll for easy sandwiches.

• Go slow cooker: Place chicken, sauce, and cheese in a slow cooker with pasta on the side for minimal hands-on time.

• Bake chicken pieces: Bread chicken breast halves, thighs, or drumsticks then bake with sauce and cheese for hearty portions.

• Prep in advance: Bread raw chicken pieces ahead of time and freeze them to cut down on prep day-of.

While homemade can be satisfying, going out for chicken parm also lets you relax and experience crave-worthy versions made by the experts. So next time the chicken parm craving strikes, you’ll know the best spots to visit for satisfying, memorable plates. Just follow your tastebuds to the nearest quality chicken parm restaurants in your area.

Chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana are the same dish, just with different names. “Parmigiana” is the Italian term, while “parmesan” is the English adaptation, according to Facebook users.

No, Chick-fil-A does not have Chicken Parmesan on its regular menu. However, they did offer a Chicken Parmesan Meal Kit for a limited time at participating restaurants. This meal kit included Chick-fil-A filets (original, grilled, or spicy), marinara sauce, Italian-style cheeses, and pasta.