Where did chicken parmesan come from?

The origins of chicken parmesan are a bit of a mystery, but it's generally believed to have originated in New York City, specifically in Italian-American communities sometime in the mid-20th century.

Here's what we know:

* The idea of breaded and fried cutlets: This technique is common in Italian cuisine, with dishes like "cotoletta alla milanese" (breaded veal cutlet) and "saltimbocca" (breaded veal with prosciutto and sage) being popular.

* The influence of "Parmigiana di Melanzane": This classic Italian dish features eggplant layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and often Parmesan cheese. It's likely that the idea of using this sauce and cheese combination on other ingredients, like chicken, was a natural progression.

* Popularity in New York's Little Italy: The dish gained popularity in the Italian-American communities of New York City, particularly in Little Italy. There, Italian-American cooks and chefs likely adapted existing Italian dishes and techniques, creating the chicken parmesan we know today.

While the exact origin of chicken parmesan is unknown, it's clear that it evolved from a combination of Italian culinary traditions and the creative ingenuity of Italian-Americans in New York City.