Introduction

Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese is a delicious twist on two classic favorites—chicken parmesan and grilled cheese. With crispy breaded chicken, gooey mozzarella, and savory marinara sauce melted between buttery bread, it’s comfort food at its finest. This recipe is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

A close-up view of a toasted sandwich stacked in two layers on a white wooden board over a white marbled texture. The sandwich top and bottom layers are golden brown toasted bread with a slightly crispy texture and some toasted spots. The middle of the sandwich has a thick layer of shredded orange-red chicken mixed with melted white cheese that stretches slightly out from the sandwich sides. Some green herb sprinkles are scattered on the white wooden board and around the sandwich, adding small green spots to the warm colors. The overall feeling is warm, melted, and hearty, capturing the textures of crispy bread and gooey cheese. 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 between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper to about 1/2 inch thickness. 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, dip in egg, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 3: Heat 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 165°F/74°C). Remove and rest for a few minutes, then slice 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, sauce side down, to form sandwiches.
Step 5: Butter the outside of each sandwich on both sides. Heat a clean skillet over medium heat and grill sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Step 6: Remove sandwiches, let cool slightly, then slice in half. Serve immediately, optionally with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

Use day-old bread for a firmer, less soggy sandwich.
Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a different flavor profile.
Add fresh basil leaves inside the sandwich for an extra herbaceous note.
For a spicier kick, mix red pepper flakes into the marinara sauce.

Storage

Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to keep the bread crispy and the cheese melted. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

A thick sandwich stacked in two layers on a white marbled surface, each layer made of golden toasted bread with crispy edges and a slightly charred top. The bottom layer holds shredded orange-brown chicken mixed with a vibrant red sauce and melted white cheese stretching out between the layers. The middle layer is more toasted bread, topped again with a generous amount of shredded chicken, red sauce, and melted cheese bubbling slightly, finishing with the top toasted bread piece. Small bits of chicken and herbs are scattered near the sandwich. 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 instead of breading raw chicken?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken strips. Simply layer them with marinara and cheese, then grill the sandwich until the cheese melts and bread is toasted.

What bread works best for this sandwich?

Italian, sourdough, or a hearty sandwich bread works best because they hold up well to the moist ingredients and grilling process.

Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 115 reviews

Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese combines the classic Italian flavors of breaded chicken, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella with the comfort of a grilled cheese sandwich. This recipe features tender, seasoned chicken breasts coated in Parmesan-infused breadcrumbs, cooked to golden perfection, then layered with cheese and sauce between buttery toasted bread slices for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Author: Maya
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 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
2 tablespoons olive oil

Sandwich Assembly

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

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil thoroughly.
Bread the Chicken: Set up three shallow dishes with flour, beaten egg, and a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat evenly with the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing to adhere well.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add breaded chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Remove 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 the slices, layer sliced chicken, more marinara, shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Top with remaining bread slices, sauce side down.
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 sandwiches for 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

For best results, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure even chicken thickness for uniform cooking.
Italian breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan provide extra flavor and a crispier crust.
Butter the bread generously to achieve a perfect golden crust when grilling.
Serve with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping to enhance the flavor experience.
Can substitute chicken breasts with chicken tenders for a quicker prep and cooking time.

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