Origin of Chicken Parmesan?!
Answers: Hello! Does anyone know the origin of chicken parmesan & when it is served (holidays, religious events, etc). Thanks!!
History says that the original dish originated, about 400 years ago, in Bologna Italy. Famously known as Veal Bolognese. Also traces back to Parma Italy as Veal Parmigiana. Bolognese was originally a dish made with crumble veal cutlets and parma ham. Parmigiana was crumbled veal fried in olive oil. Cheese, breadcrumbs, and tomato were added much later in its history. Though out the years other meats were exchanged for the veal hence Chicken Parmesan. Possibly for economic reasons, chicken was cheaper, it has now become a standard dish.
Chicken parmesan, chicken parmigiana, or (Italian Pollo alla parmigiana) is a popular Italian dish. It is made up of a chicken breast covered in bread crumbs and topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella. The chicken may be baked or fried. It is sometimes served over spaghetti. Some variations of the traditional recipe may call for the use of Parmigiano-Reggiano (parmesan cheese) in addition to, or as a substitute for, mozzarella. This may reflect a confused belief that the dish is so-named because it contains parmesan cheese; in fact both the dish and the cheese are (separately) named for the Parma region of Italy.
Just a guess, but it is probably fairly new and promoted by non-red meat eating types. Veal Parm is the best!