By swapping out regular breadcrumbs for a gluten free version, you can make gluten free chicken parmesan in about 30 minutes! This simple recipe can be customized however you like to serve it, over pasta, on toasted bread, or as a standalone entrée with your favorite sides.
When you think Italian food, what comes to mind? Unless you’re educated in traditional Italian cuisine, many of the dishes you picture are probably actually Italian-American. This includes things like pizza, baked ziti, and spaghetti with meatballs.
Another dish that’s probably on your list is chicken parmesan.
Chicken parmesan is a fairly simple dish made with breaded chicken, tomato sauce, and cheese. You’ll find it in just about every Italian-American restaurant and even bar menus and American-style eateries. It’s also a family favorite because what kid can resist anything smothered in cheese?
Unfortunately, followers of the gluten free diet frequently find themselves passing over this item on restaurant menus because the chicken is breaded. The good news is there’s a simple solution. Just swap out those regular bread crumbs or that panko crust for a gluten free alternative!
With Schär Gluten Free Bread Crumbs you can transform this Italian-American dish into a gluten free dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Not only is chicken parmesan a simple family dinner, but with the right ingredients it can also be made gluten free. Read on for a quick and easy recipe as well as some unique serving ideas!
What is Chicken Parmesan?
Chicken parmigiana, more commonly known as chicken parmesan, is a dish consisting of breaded chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. The dish originated in the United States during the Italian diaspora of the early 20th century when Italian immigrants arrived. Perhaps inspired by the traditional Italian dish melanzane alla Parmigiana, a breaded eggplant dish, chicken parmesan quickly gained popularity and had become a staple in Italian-American restaurants by the 1950s.
In the United States, chicken parmesan is often served over a bed of pasta or on bread as a sandwich. The dish has been a staple of pub food in Australia since the 1980s where it is known as a parma or parmi. In the United Kingdom, chicken parmesan evolved into a dish called parmo which is made with fried breaded chicken or pork topped with a white bechamel instead of a tomato sauce.
6 Unique Gluten Free Ways to Enjoy It
The two most common ways to enjoy chicken parmesan are as a main dish served over pasta or between two slices of bread as a sandwich. Depending what ingredients are used, the dish can be adapted for a wide variety of diets including the gluten free diet, the keto diet, and more. With a little creativity, however, there are many ways to enjoy this delicious dish.
Here are some creative ways to enjoy gluten free chicken parmesan:
1. Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Pizza
Build your pizza on a gluten free base using Schär Gluten Free Pizza Crusts with a layer of your favorite pizza sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped cooked chicken breast, and fresh chopped basil. Add a sprinkle of Schär Gluten Free Bread Crumbs and bake until the cheese is melted and the topping is nicely browned.
2. Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Cook a box of your favorite Schär gluten free pasta to al dente then drain and return it to the pot. Mix in tomato sauce, shredded chicken, and diced tomatoes then spread the mixture in a casserole dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and Schär Gluten Free Bread Crumbs then bake until bubbling and browned.
3. Open-Faced Chicken Parm Sandwiches
Pound several chicken cutlets thin then season with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink. Season with thyme and oregano then cover the cutlets with tomato sauce and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. Top each cutlet with shredded mozzarella and broil until the cheese is melted and browned. Serve the chicken cutlets on toasted slices of Schär Gluten Free Baguette.
4. Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Dip
Spread a layer of cream cheese on the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate then top with about ½ cup of tomato sauce. Stir together some shredded cooked chicken, gluten free breadcrumbs, and grated parmesan cheese then spoon it into the pie plate. Top with another ½ cup of sauce and finish with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake until hot and bubbling then serve with Schär Multigrain Crackers for dipping.
5. Shredded Chicken Parmesan Subs
Place 3 to 4 chicken breasts in a slow cooker and cover with about 3 cups of tomato sauce. Season with garlic and Italian herbs then cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Shred the chicken and stir it into the sauce then serve on toasted Schär Ciabatta Buns topped with mozzarella cheese or provolone, popped under the broiler for a minute or two to melt it.
6. Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
By swapping ground chicken for whole chicken breasts, you can easily create chicken parmesan meatballs. Simply combine ground chicken with a beaten egg, Italian spices, some grated parmesan cheese, and a little salt and pepper then shape the mixture into balls. Roll the meatballs in Schär Gluten Free Bread Crumbs then bake or fry until cooked through.
Now that you have plenty of ideas to get your creative juices flowing, you’re probably wondering how to get started. Here’s a simple recipe for gluten free chicken parmesan to try out before you go off and experiment on your own. Enjoy!
Recipe: Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan
By swapping out regular breadcrumbs for a gluten free version, you can make gluten free chicken parmesan in about 30 minutes! This simple recipe can be customized however you like to serve it, over pasta, on toasted bread, or as a standalone entrée with your favorite sides.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 ½ cups Schär Gluten Free Bread Crumbs, divided
- Salt and pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil (more as needed)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil then place a wire cooling rack over top.
- Preheat the broiler in your oven to high heat.
- Sandwich the chicken breasts between pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound to about ¼ inch thick.
- Combine about ¾ cup of the Schär Gluten Free Bread Crumbs with the salt and pepper in a shallow dish.
- In a second shallow dish, beat the eggs until frothy.
- Stir the remaining breadcrumbs together with the parmesan, oregano, and basil in another shallow dish.
- Working one at a time, dredge the chicken breasts in the seasoned breadcrumbs, shaking off the excess.
- Dip the breaded chicken breast into the beaten egg, turning to coat, then coat evenly with the parmesan bread crumb mixture.
- Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add two of the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes or so until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken and cook until browned on the other side, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining two.
- Spoon about ¼ cup of tomato sauce on top of each chicken breast then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling then serve as desired.
Notes:
You can serve your gluten free chicken parmesan over Schär Gluten Free Penne cooked to al dente or enjoy it between two slices of Schär Artisan Baker sliced bread. Feel free to warm up some extra sauce and have plenty of extra parmesan on hand for sprinkling!