Easy Low Carb Parmesan Chicken Recipe | The Foodie Affair (2024)

FAQs

How many carbs are in Parmesan crusted chicken? ›

No Name Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts (1 breast) contains 8g total carbs, 7g net carbs, 13g fat, 36g protein, and 300 calories.

The dish, also known as "chicken parm", originated in the northeast United States from Italian immigrants, and became a popular staple in restaurants serving Italian-American cuisine by the 1950s. Home versions also grew in popularity.

Chicken parmigiana encompasses everything we love about Italian food in one bite—the chicken's juicy interior, the crisp coating of the fried breadcrumbs on the meat's exterior, the bright and slightly sweet flavor of the rich tomato sauce, and the silky texture of the mozzarella, slightly browned under a broiler.

Fried chicken can be part of a healthy keto diet as long as you prepare it right, substituting high-carb ingredients with healthy fat and low-carb alternatives. These primarily include breading and cooking oil. As much as possible, avoid consuming take-out fried chicken unless you remove the breading before eating it.

The Best Meats for Keto

Only about one-fifth of your meal should be protein. If you've done that math, that makes high-protein meat choices, like skinless chicken breasts or fish, things you should only eat sparingly.

Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Parmigiana (1 serving) contains 54g total carbs, 48g net carbs, 29g fat, 75g protein, and 760 calories.

Breaded Fried Chicken Breast (1 small breast (yield after cooking, bone removed)) contains 17.8g total carbs, 17.2g net carbs, 20.6g fat, 42.4g protein, and 436 calories.

Brace yourself for this one—they're the same dish! Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

Jokes aside, chicken parm has a long, complicated history argued by many historians for different reasons. Believe it or not, there was not readily accessible chicken in Parma, Italy, so the idea started with thin slices of eggplant covered in Neapolitan tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

The origins of chicken parmigiana do go back to old Italy, but people made it with eggplant, not chicken. The simple reason for this change is that chicken was too expensive for most households. Eggplant, though, could be grown in the backyard.

Do real Italians eat chicken parm? ›

Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Fun fact: This classic dish was actually created in the United States, not Italy. Immigrants took the prep method of eggplant parmigiana and adapted it for chicken, though the technique is essentially the same. Add breading to thin slices, fry, and serve with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Typical sides would be linguine or spaghetti with the same sauce, and some kind of green vegetables, like zucchini (for its Italian aesthetic). Green salad is a good accompaniment, too.

According to nutritionists, the best cheeses to consume on keto are those varieties that are high-quality, full-fat, and grass-fed. Some keto-friendly cheese options include goat cheese, blue cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese. Processed and low-fat cheeses should be avoided while on keto.

Almond flour-crusted eggplant smothered in savory marinara sauce and topped with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, this baked keto eggplant parmesan is every bit as delicious as the regular version. Best part? Eggplant carbs are super low, making this dish just 10 net carbs per serving!

Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Parmigiana (1 serving) contains 54g total carbs, 48g net carbs, 29g fat, 75g protein, and 760 calories.