Crispy Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Crunchy Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Golden, melted cheese and a perfectly crispy chicken parmesan grilled cheese sandwich awaits hungry souls seeking comfort food bliss.

Layers of flavor dance between toasted bread slices, creating a mouthwatering fusion of classic Italian and American cuisine.

Succulent chicken, breaded and seasoned with care, nestles between sharp provolone and marinara sauce.

Parmesan brings a nutty, sharp edge that elevates every delectable bite.

This sandwich combines two beloved dishes into one irresistible meal that satisfies deep cravings.

Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, each sandwich promises a culinary adventure that will make taste buds sing.

Prepare to fall in love with this unexpected, delicious creation that turns ordinary lunch into an extraordinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 720 kcal

Servings: 1

What Goes Into a Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese

For Coating and Breading:
  • Flour: Provides crispy base layer for chicken with added flavor from seasonings.
  • Garlic Powder: Infuses savory depth and aromatic warmth to the coating.
  • Italian Seasoning: Delivers classic Mediterranean herb profile with balanced herbaceous notes.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps draw out chicken's natural taste.
  • Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the breading mixture.
For Binding and Moisture:
  • Egg: Acts as perfect adhesive to help breadcrumbs stick and create golden crust.
For Crunchy Exterior:
  • Breadcrumbs: Creates delightful crispy texture that adds satisfying crunch.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, salty flavor and helps achieve gorgeous golden-brown coating.
For Cooking and Preparation:
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that serves as the main protein component of the sandwich.
  • Olive Oil: Provides healthy fat for even cooking and prevents sticking in pan.

How to Serve a Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese

  • Cheesy Sandwich Sidekicks: Delightful Pairings
  • Crisp Salad Companion: Toss a light mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a zesty Italian vinaigrette to balance the rich sandwich.
  • Dipping Delight: Serve marinara sauce or garlic aioli on the side for an extra flavor punch that complements the chicken's crispy coating.
  • Fresh Veggie Crunch: Add roasted asparagus spears or grilled zucchini sticks as a colorful and nutritious side that cuts through the sandwich's cheesy goodness.
  • Wine & Beverage Match: Pair with a chilled white wine like Pinot Grigio or a refreshing iced tea to enhance the meal's Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Keeping Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Crisp in Storage

  • Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep leftover sandwich wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or sealed container for up to 2 days. Consume chilled or gently reheat in a skillet to maintain crispy texture.
  • Quick Reheating Technique: Warm sandwich in a preheated skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side. This method helps restore original crispiness and prevents soggy bread edges.
  • Advance Preparation Hack: Bread chicken and store uncooked pieces in refrigerator for 24 hours before cooking. Separate cooked chicken strips with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain quality.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual sandwiches in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat in skillet for best results. Label with preparation date to track freshness.

Must-Have Tools for a Crispy Chicken Parm Sandwich

  • Cutting board: Sturdy surface for slicing chicken and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: For precisely cutting chicken into thin strips.
  • Large skillet: Ideal for cooking chicken and grilling sandwich.
  • Three medium bowls: To separately mix flour, egg, and breadcrumb coatings.
  • Spatula: For flipping chicken and sandwich during cooking.
  • Plate: To hold cooked chicken and rest ingredients.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Perfect

  • Seasoning Station

Set up three shallow dishes with your coating ingredients. Mix flour with zesty garlic powder and herbs, whisk an egg in another dish, and combine crispy breadcrumbs with tangy Parmesan cheese in the third.

  • Chicken Transformation

Dunk each chicken piece through the flour blend, then give it an egg bath, and finally roll it in the crunchy breadcrumb mixture until totally covered.

  • Sizzle and Cook

Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium flame. Carefully place coated chicken in the pan, letting it turn gorgeous golden brown for 3-4 minutes on each side until perfectly cooked through.

  • Slice and Prep

Move your beautifully cooked chicken to a cutting board and slice into delectable thin strips, ready for sandwich magic.

  • Sandwich Assembly

Butter outer sides of bread slices. Layer one slice with marinara sauce, chicken strips, extra cheese, and top with second bread slice. Grill in a hot skillet until bread is crispy and cheese melts into gooey perfection.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Cut sandwich diagonally, plate it up, and get ready to experience a mouthwatering combo of crispy chicken and melted cheese between perfectly toasted bread.

Tasty Tips to Switch Up Your Chicken Parm Flavor

  • Perfect Crunch Technique: Dredge chicken carefully in each coating, ensuring full coverage for maximum crispy texture and flavor lockdown.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, use gluten-free breadcrumbs, and replace regular breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers for celiac-friendly version.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare breaded chicken strips ahead of time and refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours before cooking to save preparation time during busy days.
  • Cheese Lover's Twist: Experiment with different cheese combinations like provolone, mozzarella, or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles beyond traditional Parmesan.
  • Healthier Baking Option: Instead of pan-frying, place breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, achieving similar golden crispiness with less oil.
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Crispy Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Crispy Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Sandwich


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4.6 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Gourmet chicken parmesan grilled cheese sandwich blends Italian-American classics into one irresistible meal. Melted mozzarella, crispy chicken, and marinara sauce create a satisfying combination you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 small chicken breast, pounded thin
  • 2 tbsps (30 g) butter, softened
  • 4 slices of thick bread (sourdough, ciabatta, or Texas toast)
  • ½ cup (120 ml/120 g) Italian breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup (60 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Extra Parmesan cheese for topping
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil (for frying)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) marinara sauce

Instructions

  1. Dredging Station: Create a three-part seasoning system with flour mixture, whisked egg, and Parmesan-breadcrumb blend for coating chicken cutlets.
  2. Chicken Preparation: Methodically coat chicken by dipping through flour, egg, and breadcrumb layers, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  3. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in skillet and cook chicken until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, guaranteeing thorough cooking.
  4. Sandwich Foundation: Spread marinara sauce generously across bread interior, creating a flavor-rich base for the grilled cheese.
  5. Layering Construction: Arrange sliced crispy chicken across one bread slice, then lavishly distribute Parmesan and mozzarella cheese to maximize melting potential.
  6. Grilling Finalization: Return sandwich to skillet with minimal olive oil, cooking until exterior transforms into a crisp golden shell and cheese melts completely, flipping once to ensure uniform browning.
  7. Serving Presentation: Cut sandwich diagonally to showcase molten cheese interior, serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural integrity.

Notes

  • Breading Technique: Ensure even, light coating by using one hand for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients to prevent clumpy, uneven breading.
  • Oil Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown crust without burning chicken or creating greasy exterior; use cast iron skillet for consistent heat distribution.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Let sandwich rest briefly after grilling to allow cheese to set and prevent immediate cheese spillage when cutting.
  • Protein Swap Option: Replace chicken with turkey or plant-based cutlet for dietary variations while maintaining similar cooking technique and flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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