The Absolute Best Chicken Parmesan In The US

Chicken parmesan is Italian-American comfort food at its finest; crispy, breaded chicken hiding under a blanket of cheese and tomato sauce. What else could possibly heighten this plate? Your favorite carbohydrate — a bed of spaghetti, waiting to be untangled. Known formally as chicken parmigiana, this dish comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether you're enjoying elevated dining or you just want a quick bite at a neighborhood spot in sandwich form, there's a chicken parmesan option for you.

Traditionally, butterflied chicken breast is the protein of choice, while Italian seasonings, mozzarella, and Neapolitan tomato sauce make up the toppings. For pasta, spaghetti is commonly used and chicken parmesan enthusiasts will tell you it must be cooked al dente like pasta in Italy. What's interesting, however, is that you won't find this dish in Italy.

According to Paesana, chicken parmesan is of North American origin. The immigration of Italian people to places like New York and New Jersey led to the creation of this Italian-inspired American dish, and over time it spread to other parts of the country. So if you've decided to attempt a national chicken parmesan food tour (no one is stopping you), here are some places to get you started.

If you're looking for a reliable, delicious plate of chicken parmesan while having options to indulge in less traditional versions of the dish, you now know that Miami's Crust exists. Crust's chicken parmesan is on the traditional side. It's lightly breaded chicken breast drenched in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella and parmesan, with a layer of linguine underneath. You get a generous portion for $26.95, and it's worth noting that it isn't the only parmesan dish available. If you're looking for a change in meat, there's a meatball parmesan on the menu, and also shrimp. If you're a vegetarian, breaded eggplant and grilled zucchini parmesan are options, and they come as entrées or small plates.

Crust has earned several foodie accolades in recent years. In 2019, it was named on OpenTable's "Top 25 Hidden Gem Restaurants in Hot Destinations" list. In 2022, Crust was ranked among the top 100 pizza restaurants in the United States by Yelp, where reviewers rave about the chicken parmesan. Many claim that Crust's chicken parmesan serves two people and then some (hello leftovers), and some confirm it's the best chicken parmesan in Miami. "The breading of the chicken is made with panko so the texture is so much crunchier and thicker than others," wrote one happy customer. "It was completely covered in sauce and cheese. The sauce tasted so rich and homemade."

If you're on the hunt for a place serving chicken parmesan in its classic form, you can't do much better than Dan Tana's in Los Angeles. "Dan Tana's is pretty much the Godfather of LA chicken parmesans (and not just because it feels like Don Corleone definitely ate here)," says The Infatuation. "This Santa Monica Blvd. spot has been open since 1964, and this dish is a throwback to the days when no one in West Hollywood worried about portion size, trans fats, or putting three pounds of cheese on top of chicken and calling it a meal." There's way more to this chicken parmesan than mountains of cheese, however.

Dan Tana's chicken parmesan boasts a well-balanced sauce that has all the lightly sweet yet savory feels, and the breaded chicken has just the right amount of crunch. Called "chicken parmigiana alla Nikola" on their menu, it will set you back $42. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but many people on Tripadvisor say it's good value for what you get. One satisfied customer said that the "Parm was good old school Italian cooking," while another said that it was "to die for." Diners have also mentioned this dish's alternative — a version made with veal. According to Bricco, the veal brings a sofer texture to the dish and can be more flavorful due to the higher fat content, so it's also worth a try.

If you're on the West Coast and missing East Coast sandwiches, Tat's Delicatessen has got you covered. Due to a higher population of Italian-Americans on the East Coast, you know you won't go wrong finding a New York-style chicken parmesan, be it plated or as a sandwich. This is what East Coast natives Brian Tatman and Jason Simodejka have been bringing to the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle since 2004.

The chicken is presented as delectable breaded strips. These get drenched in house-made marinara sauce and broiled with mozzarella cheese and parmesan. Chicken parmesan is traditionally made with mozzarella and no other cheese — ironic given that parmesan is in the name, we know, but that's been attributed to its relation with Parma, Italy by some experts (via Paesana).

Prices range from $14 to a little under $19 for Tat's chicken parmesan depending on what size you'd prefer to order, as detailed on their menu. What does the public have to say? Some call it "killer" on Yelp, and others agree that the chicken parmesan sandwich is the best sandwich on Tat's Delicatessen's menu. One reviewer reported that the portion size is huge, and waiting in line during their busy lunch hours is well worth it.

If you just want an old-school chicken parmesan that tastes incredible, consider paying a visit to Dante in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Boasting elevated modern cuisine in a restaurant that started back in 1915, it's a registered New York City landmark where actors, writers, and musicians are known to dine. Though this restaurant is mainly known for its chic bar (it's been named the world's best bar by multiple magazines), Dante's chicken parmesan is not to be missed.

It comes with no pasta, with stracciatella and a butter lettuce salad accompanying the dish instead, for a total of $34. On Yelp, customers have shared their love for this restaurant's chicken parmesan. One said that it "was served in a skillet-type dish and had loads of sauce," and another could not hold in his excitement for Dante's chicken parmesan, writing: "The only problem I had was with myself for not ordering 2 sighhhh. Flavor was outstanding & the chicken was tender." It might not be quite as large as some other chicken parmesans out there, but this is a case of quality over quantity.

Named one of the five best restaurants in New Orleans for Italian food by Hoodline, Cibo's is inspired by New York-style Italian-American fare. Cibo's chicken parmigiana is a little under $16 and served with spaghetti, a house red marinara sauce, and a thick gob of mozzarella cheese with breaded chicken at its side. If you're looking for a quick lunch, you can also order their sandwich version, served with a side salad. The chicken can also be replaced with meatballs for a twist, because why not?

With a full 5-star rating on Yelp, it's no wonder Cibo's has some of the best chicken parmesan in all of New Orleans. While past diners advise potential customers to trust the 5-star rating, they've also got specifics to add about the dish. "Exactly what you'd expect the dish to taste like and, at least for me, wasn't too heavy of a dish," one person said, adding that it's "packed with flavor!" Another admits to becoming "somewhat attached" to Cibo's chicken parmesan. Though it's pretty traditional, sometimes that is all you need when it comes to comfort food.