Chicken Parmesan Sandwich is hands-down my favorite way to eat chicken Parm. It’s all loaded on buttery, garlic-crusted rolls with melty cheese and a layer of pesto. So good!
Author’s Notes
This Sandwich Was Not the Plan… and I Loved It!
Chicken Parm totally screams comfort food to me. It’s one of my favorite meals, but I usually only make it during the colder months.
So when I went to make Chicken Caesar Sandwiches and realized I was out of Caesar salad mix, I figured why not switch it up and make Chicken Parmesan sandwiches instead?
And oh my gosh, these completely blew me away. I had some leftover pesto from my Creamy Pesto Chicken and added that in too. Now I’m convinced chicken Parm and pesto are a match made in heaven. I don’t think I can ever make it without pesto again!
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Sandwich Magic
| Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chicken cutlets | My go-to recipe for quick, easy, breaded chicken. It’s so crispy and flavorful! |
| Butter & garlic powder | Spread on the rolls before broiling for that golden crunch (and no sogginess!). |
| Sub rolls | Use sturdy rolls that can hold up to all the sauce and melty cheese. |
| Marinara & cheese | Go for whole-milk mozzarella and a thick, flavorful marinara; Rao’s is my favorite. |
| Pesto (optional) | Adds a fresh, herby boost if you love pesto. Totally fine to skip it if you don’t. |
What Goes Great with Chicken Parm Sandwiches
- Smashed Potatoes: Crispy and perfect for dipping in extra marinara!
- Caesar Salad: A classic pairing with crunchy croutons and creamy dressing.
- Roasted Broccoli: A simple veggie side to balance out the richness of the sandwich.
- Italian Pasta Salad: A chilled side that’s easy to prep ahead and always a hit!
- Fresh Fruit: Anything in season or try my favorite fruit salad with yogurt.
Secrets to Sandwich Success
Below are my top tips for making homemade Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches:
- Bread the chicken right before cooking: Keeps the coating crispy, not soggy.
- Let the chicken sit on a rack: Stops the crust from getting soft on a plate.
- Keep an eye on the broiler: Cheese can burn quickly once it melts.
- Add pesto after broiling: Keeps it green, fresh, and full of flavor.
- Use foil or parchment on your pan: Makes cleanup a lot easier.
Storage
Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches taste best fresh. If you have extras, store the chicken, sauce, and rolls in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat the chicken in the oven, then put the sandwiches together right before eating.
More Sandwiches That Eat Like a Meal:
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Video
Equipment
- Rimmed sheet pan
Ingredients
- 6 (4-inch) French steak rolls or white sub rolls
- Unsalted butter softened
- Garlic powder
- 1 batch chicken cutlets (<- click the link for the recipe), see note 1
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese or enough to cover the chicken
- Rao's marinara sauce
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional, see note 2
- Basil pesto optional, see note 3
Instructions
- Cook the chicken cutlets according to the linked recipe above.
- Adjust the oven rack to 8 inches below the broiler and preheat broiler to high. Slice rolls in half and place cut-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread softened butter on the roll insides and lightly sprinkle with garlic powder. Broil until golden and crisp, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove and let cool slightly. Take top buns off the sheet pan and set aside.
- Spread marinara sauce on the bottom buns. Cut chicken cutlets in half lengthwise as needed to fit the bread, then place them on top.
- Top the chicken with thin slices of mozzarella. Grate Parmesan on top, if using.
- Return the open-faced sandwiches (bottom halves only) to the broiler. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbling; about 2 minutes. Watch closely. Right out of the oven, add some more marinara on top of the cheese.
- Spread pesto on the top buns, if using. Close sandwiches and press gently. Serve right away.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Variations
Change Up Your Chicken Parmesan Sandwich!
- Spicy Chicken Parm: Add red pepper flakes to the marinara.
- Cheese Swap: Try provolone instead of mozzarella for a stronger flavor.
- No Sauce Needed: Skip the marinara and add lots of pesto instead.
- Add Some Greens: Toss on some arugula or baby spinach for a fresh bite.
- Make it a Melt: Use sandwich bread and cook it like grilled cheese in a pan with butter.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich FAQs
Sturdy rolls like sub rolls, French steak rolls, or ciabatta work best. You want something that holds up to sauce and melty cheese without falling apart.
You can prep the chicken and toast the rolls ahead of time, but wait to assemble until just before serving so everything stays crisp and fresh.
Nope! It adds amazing flavor, but the sandwich is still delicious without it.
