Chicken Parmo

Parmo is fried chicken goodness, covered in a rich, creamy béchamel, topped with a serious helping of cheese and grilled until melted and deliciously gooey. Perfect with chips and garlic sauce.

The name is a reference to the American dish chicken parmesan, which is made with tomato sauce and mozzarella, which is itself a derivation of the Italian melanzane alla parmigiana.

By Nicos Harris
From Teeside

Ingredients

Method

1. Begin by taking the chicken breasts and butterflying them. Cut through the chicken breast lengthways until you can open them like a book – see video below.
2. Next, place the butterflied chicken between two sheets of greaseproof paper and flatten using a meat tenderiser or rolling pin until the chicken is around 1cm thick
3. Place the breadcrumbs onto a plate and set them aside. Do the same with 300g of flour and add a pinch of salt and pepper to it. In a bowl mix 2 eggs with 30ml of milk.
4. To coat the chicken in breadcrumbs, start by placing it in the seasoned flour on both sides and then into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs. Make sure the chicken is completely covered in breadcrumbs.
5. Now, make the béchamel sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
   Once melted add in the flour and stir. Cook this for 2 minutes while stirring to prevent it from burning.
   Next, add in the milk a little bit at a time, constantly stirring with a whisk until the milk is fully incorporated and you have a smooth sauce.
   Add in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
   Gently simmer for 5 minutes remembering to stir often.
6. Heat a deep fat fryer to 180°C-350°F and deep fry the chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
   If you don’t have a deep fat fryer you can shallow fry in a pan and turning it over when required.
7. Place the fried chicken onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and pour the béchamel sauce over the chicken. Grate the cheddar cheese over the top and place under a hot grill until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
8.   Serve in whichever way you prefer. Serving options below.

VIDEO: Proper Teeside Chicken Parmo by PinchOfMint

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Parmo

• Parmo with Chips and a small side salad.
• Parmo on top of baked beans with small roasties on the side
• In a Bap, served in a standard bap or, even better, a brioche bun.
• Chicken Parmo in a Belfast Bap – my absolute favourite – Sainsburys do them.
• Parmo served on a bed of Bolognese sauce or if your into something a little spicier an Arrabbiatia sauce

Chicken Parmo FAQ

What is the meaning of parmo?
Parmo is short for parmesan, referencing the cheese typically used in the dish.

What is chicken parmo made of?
Chicken parmo is typically made of breaded chicken cutlet, deep-fried, topped with béchamel sauce and cheese, then grilled until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Where did chicken parmo come from in Middlesbrough?
Parmo was created by Nicos Harris, a Greek American navy chef. He was wounded off the coast of France, and brought to the United Kingdom to be treated at what is now James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. He stayed in Middlesbrough and opened a restaurant, The American Grill, on Linthorpe Road, where he created the parmo in 1958.

What is a parmo in Newcastle?
In Newcastle, a parmo is similar to the traditional chicken parmo from Middlesbrough, consisting of breaded chicken, béchamel sauce, and cheese.

What toppings are on a parmo?
Common toppings on a parmo include béchamel sauce, cheese, and occasionally additional toppings like pepperoni, bacon, or jalapeños.

What is the difference between Parma and parmo?
Parma refers to a city in Italy and its famous Parma ham, while parmo is a dish from Middlesbrough, UK, consisting of breaded chicken with béchamel sauce and cheese.

Why is chicken parmesan so good?
Chicken parmesan is popular due to its combination of crispy breaded chicken, savory tomato sauce, and melted cheese, creating a satisfying and flavorful dish.

How many calories are in a parmo?
How many calories are in a full parmo? How many calories in a large chicken parmo? How many calories are in a Teesside parmo? How many calories are in a takeaway Parmo?
The number of calories in a parmo depends mostly on the size of the chicken and the amount of béchamel sauce and any other additional toppings that might be added.
A parmo can range anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 calories. That means its practically a whole day’s calorie intake for a female and more than half for an average male..

What is the biggest parmo in the world?
The biggest one-person parmo you could buy in a restaurant was reputedly created in Middlesbrough, weighing over 7 kg (15 lbs).
However, in 2017, Teesside University Students’ Union teamed up with The George Bar and Grill to attempt a new world record for the largest “Parmo” ever eaten. Students and other guests watched the 25 foot belly buster being assembled in The Terrace and then got to sample the world record.

Is béchamel sauce the same as white sauce?
Yes, béchamel sauce is also known as white sauce, made from butter, flour, and milk.

Is chicken parmo the same as chicken Parmigiana?
Chicken parmo is similar to chicken Parmigiana, but Parmigiana typically uses tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese instead of béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese.

What is the difference between chicken Parmigiana and chicken parmesan?
There is no significant difference; chicken Parmigiana and chicken parmesan are different names for the same dish.

What’s a parmo takeaway?
A parmo takeaway refers to ordering and picking up a parmo from a restaurant or takeaway shop to eat at home.

What’s the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmo?
Chicken parmesan typically uses tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, while chicken parmo uses béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese.

Why is it called chicken parmesan if there is no parmesan?
The name “parmesan” is derived from the use of Parmesan cheese in the original Italian version of the dish, even if modern variations don’t always include it.

Is chicken Milanese the same as chicken parmesan?
Chicken Milanese is simply breaded and fried chicken cutlets, while chicken parmesan includes tomato sauce and melted cheese on top.

Is chicken parmesan the same as Parmigiana?
Yes, chicken parmesan and chicken Parmigiana refer to the same dish.

What is parmo short for?
Parmo is short for parmesan, referencing the cheese used in the dish.

Is chicken parmesan not Italian?
Chicken parmesan is based on the Italian dish Parmigiana, but it has been adapted and popularized in American cuisine.

Which is healthier eggplant or chicken parm?
Eggplant parm is generally healthier, with fewer calories and fat than chicken parm, due to the lower calorie content of eggplant compared to chicken.

Who invented the Middlesbrough Parmo?
The Middlesbrough Parmo was invented by Nicos Harris, a chef who moved to Middlesbrough after World War II.

What was the old name for Middlesbrough?
Middlesbrough does not have a widely known “old name”; it has been known by its current name since its establishment in the 19th century.

What is parmesan in Middlesbrough?
In Middlesbrough, “parmesan” often refers to the local dish “parmo,” a breaded chicken cutlet topped with béchamel sauce and cheese.

What is traditional Middlesbrough food?
Traditional Middlesbrough food includes dishes like the parmo and various seafood dishes due to its coastal location.

What is a Parmo in the UK?
In the UK, a parmo is a breaded chicken cutlet topped with béchamel sauce and cheese, originating from Middlesbrough.

What is a Yorkshire parmo?
A Yorkshire parmo is the same as a Middlesbrough parmo, a breaded chicken cutlet with béchamel sauce and cheese, often found in northern England.

Is chicken parmesan from Parma?
Chicken parmesan is not from Parma; it is an American-Italian dish inspired by Italian cuisine.

What is parmigiana in English?
Parmigiana in English refers to a dish where breaded meat or vegetables are layered with cheese and tomato sauce, then baked.