CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL, chicken parmesan without cavatappi pasta
Whole food · Restaurant Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic Italian-American comfort dish featuring a tender chicken breast, breaded and pan-fried to a golden crisp, then smothered in a rich, tangy marinara sauce and a blanket of melted, bubbly mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. The texture is a delightful contrast between the crunchy coating, juicy chicken, and creamy, gooey cheese. Nutritionally, it's a protein powerhouse, delivering a substantial 19 grams per 100-gram serving, making it a satisfying and muscle-supporting meal.
💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the ultimate comfort-food trifecta: crispy, cheesy, and saucy. It's a beloved staple that feels both indulgent and familiar, often evoking memories of family-style Italian dining.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The breading and cheese can make it high in saturated fat and sodium, which may be a concern for heart health. Those watching blood sugar should note the refined carbs in the breading; pairing it with a fiber-rich vegetable like roasted broccoli or a large salad can help blunt the glycemic impact.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle repair and satiety.
- Provides calcium from the cheese blend for bone health.
- Contains lycopene, an antioxidant from the cooked tomato sauce.
- Offers a balanced macro profile for a satisfying main course.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'Parmesan' in the name is a nod to the cheese, but traditional Italian 'Parmigiana' dishes actually refer to the cooking style of layering with cheese and tomato, not necessarily the use of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese itself.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 59.9 g |
| Energy | 206 kcal |
| Energy | 861 kj |
| Protein | 19.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.9 g |
| Ash | 2.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.90 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.9 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 1.1 g |
| Fructose | 0.92 g |
| Lactose | 0.18 g |
| Maltose | 0.58 g |
| Galactose | 0.10 g |
| Starch | 4.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 142 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.78 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 30.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 235 mg |
| Potassium, K | 319 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 467 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.17 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 25.3 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.22 mg |
| Niacin | 6.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.23 mg |
| Folate, total | 22.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.46 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 53.0 ug |
| Retinol | 42.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 129 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 356 iu |
| Lycopene | 1998 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 113 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.9 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 1.0 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.17 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.04 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.38 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.0 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.66 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.17 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.4 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 4.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.11 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.10 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 67.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.24 g |
| Threonine | 0.80 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.86 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.6 g |
| Methionine | 0.49 g |
| Cystine | 0.23 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.2 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.65 g |
| Valine | 0.98 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.58 g |
| Alanine | 0.94 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.7 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.72 g |
| Proline | 1.7 g |
| Serine | 0.84 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.05 g |
FAQ
Is this the same as Chicken Parmigiana?
Yes, the terms are used interchangeably. 'Parmigiana' is the Italian word for the style of preparation, while 'Parmesan' is the English name for the cheese, leading to the common American name.
Can I make it healthier at home?
Absolutely. Use whole-wheat breadcrumbs or crushed nuts for the coating, bake instead of fry the chicken, use part-skim mozzarella, and load up on the tomato sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
To preserve the crispy texture, reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly again. Microwaving will soften the breading.