Chicken is one of the most versatile meats to work with; it can be shredded, stewed, baked, or roasted. 

It also pairs well with various ingredients, allowing for the creation of numerous mouthwatering dishes. 

Among the staple chicken dinner options are Chicken Pizzaiola and Chicken Parmesan, both with Italian roots and similar ingredients like tomatoes and cheese.  

However, despite these similarities, they are distinct dishes often confused for each other.  

In this post, we highlight the differences between the two. 

Difference between chicken pizzaiola and chicken parm

The primary distinction between the two chicken dishes lies in their preparation. 

In Chicken Pizzaiola, cuts of chicken are braised in a tomato-based sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.  

On the other hand, Chicken Parmesan involves breading and frying chicken until crispy, then topping it with tomato sauce and cheese, followed by baking until the cheese melts and the chicken is cooked through.  

Another difference is that Chicken Parmesan features breadcrumb-coated and fried chicken, while Chicken Pizzaiola involves lightly searing chicken cutlets. 

What is chicken Pizzaiola?

Pizzaiola is a classic Neapolitan dish, meaning “pizza style” in English.  

It traditionally features inexpensive cuts of meat braised in a tomato-based sauce until tender.  

While beef is common, variations with chicken and veal exist. 

 Chicken Pizzaiola involves simmering chicken cutlets in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese.  

The sauce is made from tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes white wine. It can be seasoned with oregano and basil. 

The sauce is flavorful and can be used in other recipes, including pasta dishes.  

Chicken Pizzaiola is versatile and can be used in sandwiches or paired with pasta. 

What is chicken parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan is the Italian American version of the classic Italian dish Melanzana alla Parmigiana. 

This dish originated among the Italian diaspora in the early 20th century. This version replaced eggplant with breaded and fried chicken breasts.  

Despite its name, Chicken Parmesan is traditionally topped with mozzarella cheese, although Parmesan or Provolone can also be used. 

To prepare chicken parmesan, the chicken cutlets are dipped into flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. 

They are fried until crispy and then covered with tomato sauce and cheese in a baking pan. The dish is baked in the oven. 

Chicken Parmesan is popular in Italian American restaurants, often served as a main course with rice, pasta, or in sandwiches.  

It is also enjoyed in Australia, paired with a green salad and a side of fries.