Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese is a delicious hybrid of two comfort food icons—crispy chicken Parmesan and golden grilled cheese. With its perfect blend of tender chicken, melty mozzarella, savory marinara, and buttery bread, this sandwich is an absolute crowd-pleaser. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner and impressive enough to serve to guests.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comfort food fusion: A delicious cross between grilled cheese and chicken parm.
• Crispy & cheesy: Pan-fried chicken with melted cheese and toasted bread—what’s not to love?
• Customizable: Easily adapt the bread, cheese, or sauce to your preference.
• Family-approved: Even picky eaters will go for seconds!
• Perfect for leftovers: Great way to use up leftover chicken or marinara sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 slices bread (Italian, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

• Flatten the chicken to ½-inch thickness between plastic wrap or parchment.
• Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and basil.

2. Bread the Chicken

• Set up 3 shallow bowls: flour in one, egg in another, and breadcrumbs + Parmesan in the third.
• Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, and coat with the breadcrumb mix.

3. Cook the Chicken

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Fry chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F/74°C).
• Let rest, then slice into strips.

4. Assemble the Sandwiches

• Spread marinara on one side of each bread slice.
• Top half with chicken, more marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
• Close with remaining slices, marinara-side down.

5. Grill the Sandwiches

• Butter the outside of each sandwich.
• Grill in a skillet for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cheese melts.

6. Serve

• Let cool for 1–2 minutes.
• Slice and serve with extra marinara for dipping.

Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy arrabbiata sauce.
• Healthier: Use whole wheat bread or swap in air-fried chicken.
• Cheese Swap: Try provolone or fontina for extra creaminess.
• Veggie Boost: Add spinach or grilled eggplant slices inside the sandwich.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in a toaster oven or skillet for crispiness (avoid microwaving to keep the bread from getting soggy).
• Freezing is not recommended due to the marinara and cheese potentially making the bread soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese takes two beloved dishes and marries them into a single epic sandwich. From the crunchy exterior to the gooey cheese pull, every bite is bursting with comforting flavor. It’s an instant classic—perfect for lazy Sundays, casual dinners, or game-day meals.

The Goods