Description
Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese is a delicious fusion of classic chicken parmesan flavors with the gooey comfort of a grilled cheese sandwich. Breaded and pan-fried chicken breasts are layered with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese between slices of buttered bread, then grilled to golden perfection. Perfect for an indulgent and satisfying meal ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 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: Flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch by placing them between 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.
- Bread the Chicken: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg, and finally coat evenly with the breadcrumb-Parmesan mix, pressing gently to adhere.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook approximately 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). Remove and let rest for a few minutes 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, additional marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, marinara side down, forming sandwiches.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Butter the outside of each sandwich on both sides. Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches on the skillet and cook 3-4 minutes per side until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Serve: Remove sandwiches from skillet and let cool for a minute or two. Slice each sandwich in half and serve immediately, optionally with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded evenly to cook uniformly.
- The internal temperature of chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety.
- You can substitute Italian breadcrumbs with plain breadcrumbs and add your own Italian seasoning if preferred.
- Use a sturdy bread like sourdough or Italian for best texture and flavor.
- For extra crispiness, double dip the chicken in breadcrumbs before cooking.
- Let cooked chicken rest to retain juices and improve texture.
- Butter the bread evenly to achieve golden, crispy grilled sandwiches.
