Description
Comfort meets culinary creativity in this lazy chicken parmesan grilled cheese, blending classic Italian flavors with American sandwich traditions. Melted cheese, crispy chicken, and marinara sauce create a mouthwatering fusion you’ll crave on lazy weeknights and hungry afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 cooked breaded chicken patty or leftover chicken parmesan
Bread and Cheese:
- 2 slices Italian or sourdough bread
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Sauce and Spread:
- 2 tablespoons marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat a skillet to medium heat, preparing the surface with a light butter coating on each bread slice’s exterior.
- Position one bread slice butter-side down in the heated skillet, creating a foundation for the layered sandwich.
- Arrange mozzarella cheese as the initial layer, creating a creamy base for the upcoming ingredients.
- Carefully place the crispy chicken patty atop the melting cheese, ensuring even coverage across the bread.
- Drizzle marinara sauce over the chicken, allowing the tangy sauce to seep into the protein’s texture.
- Add another generous layer of mozzarella cheese, creating a rich, melty blanket over the marinara and chicken.
- Crown the sandwich with the second bread slice, positioning it butter-side facing upward.
- Grill the sandwich for approximately 3-4 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and fully melted cheese.
- Carefully flip the sandwich, continuing to cook the opposite side until achieving an equally crisp, caramelized exterior.
- Optional: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top for an additional layer of savory flavor before serving.
- Remove from skillet, let rest briefly, then slice diagonally and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Bread Selection Choose sturdy, thick-cut bread like sourdough or Texas toast to prevent sogginess and provide better structural integrity for this hearty sandwich.
- Sauce Management Use marinara sparingly to avoid making the bread soggy; spread a thin layer or dab carefully to maintain crisp texture.
- Chicken Alternatives Swap breaded chicken patty with grilled chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken for a lighter, less processed protein option.
- Dietary Modifications Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free bread and ensuring marinara sauce has no wheat-based additives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg