Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Recipe

Sourdough bread: A tangy and sturdy bread that holds up well to grilling.

Italian bread: Another great option for a flavorful and robust sandwich base.

Shredded cooked chicken breast: Provides the protein and heartiness for the sandwich.

Marinara sauce: Adds a rich, tomatoey flavor that complements the chicken and cheese.

Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, cheesy layer.

Grated parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, salty kick to the sandwich.

Softened butter: Used to achieve a golden, crispy exterior on the bread.

To achieve a perfectly crispy and golden brown bread for your chicken parmesan grilled cheese, make sure to spread the butter evenly across the entire surface of each slice. This ensures that the bread browns uniformly and doesn't burn in spots. Additionally, using a skillet with a lid can help melt the cheese more quickly and evenly, creating a gooey, delicious filling.

• sourdough or italian bread - Substitute with whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread provides a nutty flavor and added fiber, making it a healthier option.

• shredded cooked chicken breast - Substitute with shredded cooked turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken breast.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce offers a fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with cheese and bread.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly saltier, more robust flavor.

• softened butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be brushed on the bread for a healthier alternative that still provides a rich flavor.

• Allow the chicken parmesan grilled cheese to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
• Wrap each sandwich individually in aluminum foil or parchment paper. This ensures they stay together and makes reheating easier.
• Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This helps maintain freshness and prevents any unwanted odors from seeping in.
• Store the container or bag in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the sandwiches within 2-3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.
• If freezing, label the container or bag with the date to keep track of how long they've been stored. Chicken parmesan grilled cheese can be frozen for up to 1 month.
• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
• For reheating from frozen, allow the sandwiches to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, follow the same reheating instructions as above.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
• Avoid using a microwave to reheat, as it can make the bread chewy and the cheese unevenly melted.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan grilled cheese on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the bread from getting too crispy while allowing the cheese to melt evenly.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes if you want a crispier crust.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Place the chicken parmesan grilled cheese in the skillet.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly.
  4. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken parmesan grilled cheese on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a damp paper towel to keep the bread from drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for about 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. For a crispier finish, you can transfer it to a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes after microwaving.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan grilled cheese directly on the toaster oven rack or on a small baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan grilled cheese in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Remove once the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the sandwiches over medium heat.

• Spatula: A tool used to flip the sandwiches to ensure even cooking on both sides.

• Butter knife: Used to spread the softened butter on the bread slices.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the shredded chicken, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese.

• Cutting board: A surface to place the bread while buttering and assembling the sandwiches.

• Cheese grater: If you are grating your own parmesan cheese, this tool will be necessary.

• Serving plate: Used to serve the hot sandwiches once they are cooked.

Pre-cook the chicken: Use shredded cooked chicken breast from a rotisserie chicken to save time.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Buy shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese to skip grating.

Ready-made marinara: Opt for store-bought marinara sauce to cut down on prep time.

Assemble in advance: Prepare the sandwiches ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to cook.

Efficient cooking: Use a large skillet to cook multiple sandwiches at once.