Chicken parmesan, chicken parmigiana, or (Italian Pollo alla parmigiana) is not a popular Italian dish, but rather a United States interpretation based on common Italian ingredients. It is made up of a chicken breast covered in bread crumbs and topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella. The chicken may be baked or fried. It is always served over spaghetti. Some variations of the traditional recipe may call for the use of Parmigiano-Reggiano (parmesan cheese) in addition to, or as a substitute for, mozzarella. This may reflect a confused belief that the dish is so-named because it contains parmesan cheese; in fact both the dish and the cheese are (separately) named for the Parma region of Italy.The "Parma" in Australia is a very popular pub meal often served with a beer. In some Australian states groups of Chicken Parmigiana eaters have started clubs such as CPAS (Chicken Parma Appreciation Society). These groups are mostly male dominated.Chicken parmesan is also popular as a hero or sub sandwich. It is also known as a Mercado Special.Something reasonably close to chicken parmesan is a very popular fast-food in Middlesbrough, north east England and close surrounding areas. It is known locally as a "parmo".