As one of the leanest meats packing a huge amount of protein without the high fat and calories of other varieties, it’s fair to say that chicken has a lot of fans. This deliciously healthy meat choice is a staple in Italian food for good reason, but the flavor of those dishes depends on the quality of the chicken.
Unlike many casual Italian restaurants, Molino’s Manalapan restaurant uses only the highest-quality, antibiotic and hormone-free chicken in its Italian chicken dishes. And you can truly taste the difference. If you search for “Italian restaurants near me,” you will find many places that cut corners by using a lesser-quality chicken. But taste any one of Molinos’ classic chicken dishes and you’ll find a world of flavorful difference. Here are some of the favorites.
Top 5 Chicken Dishes Featured in Italian Food
- Chicken Parmigiana. Virtually anything breaded, deep-fried and topped with melted cheese is going to be delicious. This is especially true when it comes to chicken parmigiana. Crisp chicken served with tomato sauce, covered with mozzarella and finished with grated Parmesan, this is one of the most iconic Italian chicken dishes that works with a tangle of pasta or as a sub sandwich. Sweetness and salt combined with the creaminess of cheese and the crunch of the chicken’s crust, deliver serious satisfaction.
- Chicken Marsala. Another menu staple at virtually all casual Italian restaurants, this Italian food dish is rather simple to prepare, and when done right, truly satisfying. Thinly pounded chicken cutlets are dusted lightly with all-purpose flour, and pan-seared until golden brown so that they’re still tender and juicy. Matched with a sumptuous sauce of Marsala wine and fresh mushrooms, what’s not to love?
- Chicken Cacciatore. With the word “cacciatora” translating to “hunter” in English, this traditional Italian dish was originally prepared with rabbit and gamefowl. You’ll still find variations that feature rabbit meat today, but most casual Italian restaurants put chicken in the spotlight for this meal. Italian versions often feature lightly floured pan seared chicken cutlets with peppers, mushrooms & onions with a hint of white wine and a light marinara sauce. Northern Italian variations often use white wine while Southern Italians use red wine.
- Chicken Francese. You may have wondered if it’s Francaise or Francese. Actually, both are correct spellings for this dish that features egg-dipped chicken breasts sauteed in olive oil and accompanied by a white wine, butter and lemon sauce. Some say Chicken Francese was invented by Italian-American chefs who grew tired of the traditional way of frying chicken cutlets. Chicken Francaise is said to be a French creation of the same dish. No matter how you spell it, this is delicious, and at Molinos Manalapan, it’s always sure to please.
- Chicken Saltimbocca. The name says it all – saltimbocca, which in Italian means “jumps in the mouth.” One of the world’s greatest yet simplest Italian chicken dishes, saltimbocca is often made with veal, but the chicken version piles flavor on poultry with aged cheese, spinach and prosciutto. With just the right balance of seasoning and hearty flavor, your taste buds will thank you!
If you’re searching for “Italian restaurants near me,” Molino’s Manalapan has everything you crave in traditional Italian chicken dishes. Made with only the best quality ingredients and time-tested recipes, you’ll never go anywhere else for Italian food again!
