Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Printable)

Breaded chicken cutlets with marinara and mozzarella on garlic butter bread. Golden, gooey, and irresistibly delicious.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

→ Sandwich Assembly

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

# How to Cook:

01 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally in half to create 4 thin, uniform cutlets of approximately equal thickness.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls in order: one containing flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Working with one cutlet at a time, dredge thoroughly in flour, shake off excess, dip completely in beaten egg, then coat generously with the panko-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
04 - Heat approximately 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place breaded chicken cutlets in hot oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
05 - Mix softened butter with finely minced garlic in a small bowl until well combined. Spread evenly over one side of each bread slice.
06 - Place 4 bread slices buttered side down on a clean surface. Layer each with one fried chicken cutlet, a spoonful of warmed marinara sauce, 3/8 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves if desired. Top each with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
07 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place assembled sandwiches on the cooking surface and grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, applying gentle pressure with a spatula, until bread achieves golden-brown color and cheese is completely melted.
08 - Remove sandwiches from heat, slice diagonally if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes two comfort food legends and smashes them together into something better than either one alone.
  • The garlic butter on the bread creates a crunchy, aromatic crust that makes every bite feel like an event.
  • You can prep the chicken ahead and assemble these sandwiches in minutes when hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Don't skip warming the marinara sauce before assembling, cold sauce will firm up the melted cheese and make the sandwich harder to bite through.
  • Use medium-low heat when grilling the sandwiches, too high and the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
  • Press gently with a spatula while grilling to help the cheese melt evenly, but don't squash the sandwich flat or you'll lose all that crispy chicken texture.
03 -
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the marinara for a subtle kick that balances the richness of the cheese.
  • Use a cast iron skillet for grilling, it distributes heat evenly and gives the bread an extra-crispy, restaurant-quality crust.
  • Let the fried chicken rest on paper towels for a minute before assembling so excess oil doesn't make the bread greasy.
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