Chicken Parmesan or chicken Parmigiana is an Italian American classic, popular on restaurant menus and with home cooks alike. To make the recipe, chicken breasts are pounded thinly, breaded in with crumbs and fried or baked until crisp. The breaded chicken cutlets are then topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese and baked until the cheese melts. This entrée is usually served with a side of spaghetti. Eggplant Parmesan is a popular vegetarian alternative.