This Ultimate Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese is a decadent and comforting mash-up, combining the beloved flavors of classic chicken parmesan within the crispy, cheesy embrace of a grilled cheese sandwich. The image prominently features a perfectly toasted sandwich, overflowing with melted mozzarella cheese that’s golden brown and bubbly on top, with luscious strands of cheese and rich red sauce oozing from between the slices. Hints of fresh basil and what appears to be a tender chicken cutlet layered with sauce and cheese create an irresistible visual. This sandwich is a hearty meal in itself, offering a delightful textural contrast between the crunchy bread and the soft, savory interior, making it a truly satisfying experience for any cheese and chicken parm enthusiast.
Ingredients:
For the Crispy Chicken Cutlets (can be prepared in advance):
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (Panko breadcrumbs recommended for extra crispiness)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying)
For the Sandwich Assembly:
- 8 slices sturdy bread (such as sourdough, Texas toast, or ciabatta)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce (your favorite jarred or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8-12 fresh basil leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning), divided
- Optional: Garlic powder or dried oregano for sprinkling on top of cheese
Equipment:
- 3 shallow dishes or plates (for dredging chicken)
- Large skillet (oven-safe if you want to melt cheese in oven)
- Another large non-stick skillet or griddle (for grilling sandwiches)
- Meat mallet or rolling pin (for flattening chicken)
- Tongs or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small saucepan (for warming marinara)
- Cutting board and sharp knife
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crispy Chicken Cutlets:
- Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken until it is about ½-inch thick and relatively even in thickness. This helps it cook quickly and evenly.
- Set up your dredging station:
- Plate 1: All-purpose flour.
- Plate 2: Beaten egg.
- Plate 3: Seasoned breadcrumbs combined with ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.
- Dip each chicken cutlet first into the flour, shaking off excess. Then, dip into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, thoroughly coat the chicken in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they adhere well.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the breaded chicken cutlets into the hot skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C). You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Once cooked, transfer the crispy chicken cutlets to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Set aside.
- Warm the Marinara Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, gently warm the marinara sauce over low heat. Keep it warm while you assemble the sandwiches.
- Assemble the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:
- Generously butter one side of each slice of bread with the softened unsalted butter.
- Place 4 slices of bread, butter-side down, onto your clean work surface. These will be the bottom slices of your sandwiches.
- On each of these 4 bottom slices, layer about ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place one crispy chicken cutlet on top of the mozzarella on each sandwich.
- Spoon a generous amount (about ¼ cup) of warm marinara sauce over each chicken cutlet.
- Evenly sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce on each sandwich.
- Lay 2-3 fresh basil leaves on top of the Parmesan cheese on each sandwich (if using fresh basil).
- Top with another ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on each sandwich.
- Place the remaining 4 slices of bread, butter-side up, on top of the assembled layers.
- Grill the Sandwiches:
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Carefully place 2 of the assembled sandwiches into the hot skillet. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese inside is thoroughly melted and gooey.
- Optional for extra melt & top browning (as seen in image): After grilling one side, you can transfer the sandwiches to an oven-safe skillet or a baking sheet and place them under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the top cheese is bubbly and beautifully browned. This creates that characteristic browned cheese crust.
- Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
- Serve:
- Once grilled to perfection, remove the sandwiches from the skillet.
- Let them rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing in half, if desired.
- Serve immediately, allowing the incredibly cheesy layers and rich flavors to shine. The Ultimate Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese is a hearty, comforting, and utterly delicious meal.