Description
Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese combines crispy breaded chicken breasts with marinara sauce and melted cheeses, all grilled to golden perfection between buttery slices of bread. This hearty sandwich offers a delicious twist on classic comfort food with Italian flavors.
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 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.
- Bread the Chicken: Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing the coating so it adheres well.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove and let rest 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, an additional spoonful of marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, marinara side down, to form sandwiches.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Butter the outside of both top and bottom slices of each sandwich. Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for a minute or two. Slice in half and serve immediately, optionally with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Flattening the chicken ensures even cooking and prevents drying out.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
- You can use any sturdy bread such as sourdough or Italian bread for best results.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking keeps it juicy when sliced.
- Use softened butter for easy spreading on the bread.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken using a meat thermometer to ensure safety.
