Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese (Printable version)

A delicious fusion combining crispy chicken parmesan with grilled cheese, featuring marinara sauce and melted mozzarella between golden, garlicky bread.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets of uniform thickness.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls containing flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of panko, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper respectively.
03 - Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat generously with the panko mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
04 - Heat approximately 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
05 - In a small bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic and spread evenly on one side of each bread slice.
06 - Place 4 bread slices buttered side down. Layer each with a fried chicken cutlet, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves 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 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
08 - Slice sandwiches diagonally and serve immediately while warm.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It combines two classics into one ridiculously satisfying bite that feels like a treat every single time.
  • The garlic butter on the bread gets crispy and golden, adding a flavor boost you don't get from regular chicken parm.
  • You can make it as quick or as fancy as you want, depending on whether you fry fresh chicken or use leftovers.
  • It's the kind of food that makes everyone at the table go quiet for a minute because they're too busy enjoying it.
02 -
  • Don't skip warming the marinara sauce before assembling, or it'll cool down the chicken and make the cheese take forever to melt.
  • Keep the heat on medium low when grilling the sandwiches, because high heat will burn the bread before the cheese has a chance to get melty.
  • Press gently with a spatula while grilling to help the layers stick together, but don't smash it flat or you'll squeeze out all the sauce.
03 -
  • Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts evenly thin before slicing them in half, so they cook at the same rate and don't dry out.
  • Let the fried chicken rest for a minute before assembling the sandwiches so the breading sets and doesn't fall off when you layer everything.
  • If you're making multiple sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you grill the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
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