The rise of chicken parmesan: Why it's taking social media by storm

By: Sydney Froelich

Photo by: Sydney Froelich. Donna Margarita Chicken Parmigiana

Breaded chicken, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese make up a simple yet out-of-this-world dish. Chicken Parmesan. 

Chicken parm is not originally from Italy. In fact, if you traveled to Italy and attempted to order it, you would most likely be met with judgment because of its inauthentic Italian roots. 

According to ultimatefoodtours.com, Southern Italian immigrants brought the dish over to the United States in the 19th century. Inspired by eggplant parmesan, these immigrants adapted their recipe to use chicken, taking advantage of its affordability in America. 

Ever since then, chicken parm has been a dish that brings people together, and it makes me feel at home no matter where I am. 

A nicely breaded thin cutlet with a balanced sauce-to-cheese ratio is what every chicken parm lover looks for. This perfect combination of food is what makes the dish so craveable and visually appealing. It is exactly why chicken parm has found such a massive presence on social media. 

Whether on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, chicken parm content is everywhere and has racked up millions of views. 

Arya Hamedani, born in Iran and raised in Canada, went from fast food chef to private chef. USA Today says that the pressure of cooking fast food made him realize that being in the kitchen was what he was destined for. 

Hamedani has 1.8 million followers on Instagram and over 400k on TikTok, all thanks to his big and hilarious energy he brings to all his videos. 

One of Hamedani’s viral videos was his chicken parm recipe, which gained nearly 5 million views on Instagram. 

This video is signature Hamedani – giving instructions in a yelling tone while keeping it fun and real. 

It is almost like you can taste it through the screen, which is why chicken parm videos are always successful on social media. 

The cheese steals the show as it is perfectly melted and draped over the crisp, brown breaded chicken cutlet and spaghetti. A cheese pull is something every chicken parm lover appreciates. Its visual appeal makes people want to make or order chicken parm instantly.

The food is so amazing that it has inspired countless individuals to create their own chicken parm accounts, convincing people all over the world to try it. 

Accounts on Instagram like @chickenparmchronicals and @misterchickenparm have built communities around their obsession with chicken parm. Even @chickenparmwhore, my personal chicken parm account, has joined the movement, writing parm reviews whenever a new one is tried.   

Chicken parm has truly turned into a social media sensation. As more creators and food lovers share their passion online, this dish shows no signs of slowing down. 

Have you tried the best parm in your city yet? Make sure to document and share it with the world — you never know who you will inspire to take their own first bite.