Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Crispy chicken, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella between golden garlicky bread—a delicious Italian-American fusion sandwich.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ For the Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ For the Sandwich

11 - 8 slices Italian bread or sourdough
12 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
14 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally in half to create 4 thin, even cutlets.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko mixture combined with Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
03 - Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shake off excess, dip in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
04 - Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry breaded chicken cutlets for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
05 - Mix softened butter with finely minced garlic in a small bowl until well combined.
06 - Spread garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices buttered side down on a work surface. Layer each with one fried chicken cutlet, a spoonful of marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil if desired. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
07 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Grill assembled sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with spatula, until bread is golden and cheese is fully melted.
08 - Remove sandwiches from heat, slice diagonally if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It combines two nostalgic favorites into one handheld masterpiece that satisfies every craving at once.
  • The garlicky butter on the bread creates a crispy, aromatic crust that beats any traditional grilled cheese.
  • You can prep the chicken ahead and assemble sandwiches in minutes when hunger strikes.
  • It's impressive enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight when you need something special.
02 -
  • Don't skip warming the marinara sauce, cold sauce will cool down the whole sandwich and prevent the cheese from melting properly.
  • Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken firmly, or they'll fall off in the oil and leave you with sad, patchy coating.
  • Use medium low heat when grilling the sandwiches, high heat will burn the bread before the cheese has a chance to melt.
  • Let the fried chicken rest on paper towels for a minute before assembling, excess oil will make the sandwich soggy.
03 -
  • Freeze leftover fried chicken cutlets individually and reheat them in the oven when you need a quick sandwich fix.
  • Double the garlic butter recipe and keep it in the fridge, it's perfect for garlic bread, pasta, or any grilled sandwich.
  • If the cheese isn't melting fast enough, cover the skillet with a lid for the last minute of grilling to trap the heat.
  • Season each layer as you build the sandwich, a tiny pinch of salt on the chicken and cheese makes a huge difference.
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