What Cheese Goes with Chicken?
Cheddar, Mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano are good cheeses to go with chicken. Chicken has a mild flavor, so savory Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano add taste, while mild, milky Mozzarella adds a soft, creamy layer.
Top Cheese Pairings for Chicken
Other Cheese Pairings for Chicken
What cheese goes with chicken and why
Cheddar
Cheddar is a hard, crumbly cow's milk cheese from England. Its flavor ranges from mild to sharp and from buttery to brothy and savory.
Chicken tastes mild, so a sharp Cheddar adds a stronger flavor. Crumble or grate it over roasted or grilled chicken.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a fresh Italian cheese with a mild, milky flavor and a semi-soft, creamy texture. It is eaten fresh, not aged.
Pick it when you want a soft, creamy layer on your chicken more than a strong taste. Lay it over grilled or fried chicken.
Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, granular Italian cheese made from cow's milk and aged 12 to 36 months. It tastes sharp, salty and deeply savory.
That strong taste adds flavor to mild chicken. Grate it over roasted or grilled chicken just before serving.
Feta, Swiss and Young Gouda also go with chicken. Feta is a soft cheese, and its flavor runs from sharp to mild.
Swiss is semi-hard with a mild, nutty, slightly sweet taste. Young Gouda has a semi-soft, elastic texture.
How to serve chicken with cheese
Chicken has a mild flavor, so the cheese you add changes how the dish tastes. Mozzarella or Swiss keeps the dish mild. A sharp Cheddar or Parmigiano Reggiano makes it sharper and more savory.
- Roast chicken, then grate Parmigiano Reggiano over it while it is still hot.
- Top grilled chicken with Mozzarella for a mild, creamy layer.
- Crumble Cheddar over sliced grilled chicken in a salad or sandwich.
- Lay slices of Swiss on a fried chicken sandwich for a mild, nutty taste.
- Add a sharp Feta to a chicken salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken and cheese a good combination?
Yes. Chicken has a mild flavor and can be roasted, grilled or fried, so it goes with many cheeses. Savory cheeses like Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano add flavor. Mild, creamy Mozzarella adds a soft texture and keeps the taste of the chicken easy to notice.
What is the best cheese for chicken?
It depends on the flavor you want. Parmigiano Reggiano gives a sharp, salty, savory taste. Cheddar runs from mild and buttery to sharp. Mozzarella is a mild, milky, creamy topping. Feta, Swiss and Young Gouda also go with chicken.
What is the best cheese for a chicken sandwich?
Swiss, Cheddar and Mozzarella all work on a chicken sandwich. Swiss is semi-hard with a mild, nutty, slightly sweet taste. Cheddar is crumbly and adds a buttery to sharp, savory flavor. Mozzarella is semi-soft and creamy with a mild, milky taste, so you still taste the chicken.