Introduction

Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese is a delicious twist on two classic favorites—crispy breaded chicken and melty grilled cheese. This hearty sandwich combines savory flavors with gooey cheese, making it a perfect comfort food for any day of the week.

A close-up of a double-layer grilled sandwich stacked on a wooden board with a white marbled texture background. The sandwich has three thick golden-brown toasted bread slices on top, with melted white cheese oozing out between the layers. The first layer under the top bread is bright orange-red sauce mixed with shredded cooked chicken, and the second layer has more shredded chicken mixed with melted cheese, showing stringy cheese stretching out with some herbs sprinkled on the sandwich and scattered around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 1: Flatten the chicken breasts to about 1/2 inch thickness by placing them between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and pounding gently with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil.
Step 2: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: flour in the first, beaten egg in the second, and a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in the third. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shake off excess, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the breaded chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). Remove and let rest before slicing into strips.
Step 4: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on one side of each bread slice. On half of the slices, layer sliced chicken, additional marinara, shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Top with the remaining bread slices, sauced side down, to form sandwiches.
Step 5: Butter the outside of each sandwich on both sides. Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Grill the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side until the bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Step 6: Remove from heat and let sandwiches cool for a minute. Slice in half and serve immediately, optionally with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs before cooking.
Use fresh basil instead of dried for a brighter flavor.
Try swapping mozzarella for provolone or fontina cheese for a different melty texture.
To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.

Storage

Store leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven to maintain crispness rather than using a microwave, which can make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

A close-up of a grilled cheese sandwich stacked in three layers on a white marbled surface. The top and bottom layers are golden brown toasted bread with a slightly crispy texture. Between the bread layers are two thick layers of melted white cheese, soft and gooey, with some parts stretching and oozing out. There are small bits of red sauce and green herbs scattered within the cheese layers, adding color contrast. The sandwich looks warm and appetizing with some melted cheese dripping slightly onto the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken strips. Skip the breading and frying steps, and layer the cooked chicken directly in the sandwich with marinara and cheese before grilling.

What bread works best for this sandwich?

Italian, sourdough, or good-quality sandwich bread works well. Choose a sturdy bread that can hold the fillings without becoming soggy during grilling.

Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 59 reviews

A delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese, this Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese sandwich features crispy breaded chicken, melted mozzarella and Parmesan, and savory marinara sauce, all grilled to golden perfection between buttery slices of bread. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Category: Sandwich
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup flour
1 large egg (beaten)
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Sandwich Assembly

1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
8 slices of your favorite bread (Italian, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
4 tablespoons butter (softened)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil for a flavorful base.
Bread the Chicken: Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with a mix of Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip in the egg, and finally press into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture to coat thoroughly.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature reaching 165°F (74°C). Remove from skillet and let rest before slicing into strips.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on one side of each bread slice. On half of the slices, layer the sliced chicken, a spoonful of marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, and a light sprinkle of Parmesan. Top with the remaining bread slices, marinara side down, to form sandwiches.
Grill the Sandwiches: Butter the outside of each sandwich on both top and bottom slices. Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat and cook the sandwiches for about 3-4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese melts beautifully.
Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool for a minute or two. Slice each sandwich in half and serve immediately, optionally with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
Choose sturdy bread like sourdough or Italian for best grilling results.
Butter the bread generously for a crispy, golden crust.
Leftover sandwiches can be reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
For extra flavor, add fresh basil or a few red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce.

Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Grilled Cheese, Breaded Chicken, Italian Sandwich, Comfort Food