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Tasty Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese

Category: Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less

Want bold Italian-American comfort without the work? Just heat up frozen chicken patties, tuck them between buttery bread, cover with provolone, marinara, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. No messy breading or hot oil needed, so you’ll be chowing down in 40 minutes or less. You’ll get that familiar combo of crispy chicken, melty cheese, and herby sauce cooked until both sides are golden brown. Hungry for more? Dip it in extra marinara and take a big, gooey bite. It’s all about fast, hearty flavors.

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Created By Mia Laurent
Updated on Wed, 28 May 2025 21:45:15 GMT
Cheesy sandwich stuffed with tomato sauce. Pin
Cheesy sandwich stuffed with tomato sauce. | chefmiarecipes.com

I wanted all the gooey cheesy chicken Parm flavors but didn't feel like dealing with the mess of frying or breading anything. So, I grabbed some frozen chicken patties and jazzed up a grilled cheese. Hardly any dishes and so much less fuss than a giant sub. It totally scratched the itch—and honestly, I doubt I'll crave the full sandwich again.

Made this during a busy lunch break and it absolutely hit the mark. One bite and I felt like I'd ordered from my favorite deli, just comfier at home.

Delicious Ingredients

  • Shredded Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle on top for salty punch. Freshly grated gives you max flavor.
  • Provolone cheese: Melts perfectly without overpowering. Thin slices work magic here.
  • Garlic salt: Pops extra flavor in every bite. Look for one with real garlic if you can.
  • Dried basil: A touch of herbiness lifts everything. Fresh-color dried basil is key.
  • Marinara sauce: Brings that classic tang. Buy your go-to jar or pick one loaded with tomatoes and herbs.
  • Italian bread: Thick, bakery-style slices keep it all together and get that crunchy edge.
  • Garlic butter: Makes the bread totally golden and full of flavor. Homemade with fresh garlic or find a good deli tub.
  • Frozen breaded chicken patties: Crispy and quick, they capture all the flavor with no work. Hunt for patties with a real crunch.

Easy-To-Follow Steps

Serve it Up:
Do it all again for your second sandwich. Dish out extra warm marinara and sprinkle some Parmesan for dipping or drizzling on top.
Time to Grill:
Start with a buttered bread slice, butter side down in a warm pan. Pile on two slices of provolone, some marinara, two chicken patty halves, more sauce, and one more provolone slice. Add the other bread slice on top, butter out. Grill until everything melts and the outside goes golden crisp, about 2–3 minutes per side.
Get That Bread Ready:
Smear a healthy amount of garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. This is how you get that crunchy, golden finish.
Sauce Ready:
Toss marinara, garlic salt, and basil in a bowl safe for the microwave. Heat about a minute, just until it’s nice and warm. Stir so it’s all mixed together with those herby flavors.
Crisp the Chicken:
Bake the chicken patties at 400 on a baking tray—about 20 minutes gets them super crispy. Let cool a bit, then slice each one lengthwise so they fit the bread better.
A grilled cheese sandwich with chicken and spinach. Pin
A grilled cheese sandwich with chicken and spinach. | chefmiarecipes.com

The real game-changer is that buttery garlic crust on the bread. My kids love adding the cheese and sauce, and our first go at this on a rainy Sunday turned into a new favorite comfort food—we all joke about “shortcut chicken parm” now.

Keep It Fresh

Wrap cooled leftovers tight in foil. Keep them in the fridge and bring ‘em back to life in a skillet or toaster oven to keep the crunch. If you have to microwave, just know it softens up the bread.

Switch Things Up

Go with mozzarella instead of provolone for a classic vibe. Whole wheat bread works if you want a fiber boost. Homemade sauce kicks things up if you’ve got it.

Try These Sides

Pair with Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, or just keep it chill with kettle chips or a cup of veggie soup.

A Classic Made Simple

Chicken Parm sandwiches are an Italian-American staple. Swapping the sub roll for grilled, hearty bread keeps all the flavor but makes it easier and lighter for busy days.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Is mozzarella a good swap for provolone?

Definitely! Mozzarella melts beautifully and makes it extra gooey. You can even mix both cheeses if you want a richer flavor.

→ What’s the trick for the crispiest sandwich?

Grab your cast iron skillet and cook the sandwich while pressing down with your spatula. Keep going until the bread is deeply golden.

→ Which bread should I pick?

Italian bread is awesome for this, but sourdough or a chunky white loaf work just as well if that’s what you have.

→ Can I prep parts of this in advance?

Absolutely. Bake and slice your chicken or stir together the sauce ahead, then just put everything together when it’s go time.

→ Is there a way to make this lighter?

Baked chicken breast with light breading or going with a veggie patty gives you crunch without the guilt.

Chicken Parm Melt Cheese

Juicy chicken, stretchy cheese, tangy sauce, and fluffy Italian bread team up for a cozy, smashed-together meal.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
25 minutes
Total Duration
35 minutes
Created By: Mia Laurent

Recipe Category: Weeknight Elegance

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Recipe Cuisine: Italian-American

Recipe Yield: 2 Number of Servings (2 sandwiches)

Dietary Categories: ~

Ingredients You’ll Need

→ Spreads and Garnishes

01 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
02 2 tablespoons garlic butter

→ Sauce and Seasoning

03 1 pinch garlic salt
04 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
05 1 cup marinara sauce

→ Main Components

06 6 thin slices provolone cheese
07 4 slices Italian bread
08 2 frozen breaded chicken patties

Steps to Make It

Step 01

Pile shredded Parmesan cheese into the warm marinara left over. Give each finished sandwich a little bowl of that on the side for dunking.

Step 02

Put together the second sandwich like before and grill each one in the pan a couple minutes per side until you see a crunchy and golden outside with loads of melty cheese inside.

Step 03

On a hot skillet, set a slice of bread with the buttery side down. Add one layer of provolone cheese, spoon on some warm marinara, and add two chicken patty halves so they cover the bread. Drop on some extra marinara, a bit more cheese, and close it up with another bread slice, butter up.

Step 04

Slather garlic butter on one side of your bread. Toss marinara, basil, and garlic salt into a microwave bowl, mix, and zap it until it's steamy and hot—no need to overthink it.

Step 05

Heat up your oven to 200°C first. Throw those chicken patties, still frozen, right on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until they're hot and the outsides are toasty. Let them cool off a sec then slice each one sideways so you get two thinner pieces.

Extra Information

  1. Mozzarella cheese swaps in nicely for the Parmesan if that's more your thing.

Essential Tools

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Knife

Allergen Details

Review every item for allergen risks. Reach out to a healthcare expert for any concerns.
  • This has wheat, milk, and could have eggs or soy in it.

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These figures are for general reference and shouldn’t replace expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Content: 752
  • Fat Content: 45 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 50 grams
  • Protein Content: 35 grams