If you love a good chicken parmesan sandwich but are looking for a fresh twist, this recipe is going to hit the spot! This isn’t your traditional chicken parm—it’s elevated with a luxurious creamy tomato sauce, rich burrata cheese, and a fresh pesto drizzle. All of these delicious components come together on a toasted ciabatta baguette, making every bite a delightful combination of crispy chicken, smooth cheese, and tangy, flavorful sauce. Whether you’re enjoying this for lunch or dinner, it’s a satisfying sandwich that’ll leave you wanting more.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Creamy Tomato Sauce: Roasting the tomatoes and garlic creates a deep, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the richness of heavy cream. It’s a smooth, velvety sauce that takes this sandwich to the next level.
- Burrata Cheese: Instead of traditional mozzarella, the soft, creamy texture of burrata adds a luxurious touch, melting into the sauce and creating an indulgent bite.
- Pesto Drizzle: The freshness of basil pesto balances the richness of the sandwich, adding a burst of herby goodness.
- Customizable: You can make this sandwich your own! Prefer mozzarella or provolone over burrata? Go for it! Want to add extra veggies like roasted peppers or even swap the ciabatta for a different type of bread? This sandwich can easily be tailored to your taste.
Customization Ideas:
- Swap the Cheese: While burrata brings a rich creaminess, feel free to use shredded mozzarella or provolone if you prefer a more traditional option.
- Add Veggies: Roasted bell peppers, sautéed spinach, or caramelized onions would all complement the flavors beautifully.
- Change Up the Bread: Ciabatta is a great choice, but this sandwich also works well with other crusty breads like sourdough or a classic baguette.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the creamy tomato sauce or drizzle hot honey on top for a sweet and spicy kick!
This Chicken Parm Sandwich is as customizable as it is delicious, allowing you to tailor it exactly to your preferences. It’s the perfect comfort food with a twist!
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Description
This chicken parm sandwich brings a fresh take on the traditional favorite, combining crispy breaded chicken with a homemade creamy tomato sauce, velvety burrata cheese, and a drizzle of basil pesto. Served on toasted ciabatta bread, it's a flavorful, indulgent meal that's easy to customize to your liking!
Ingredients
For the Sandwich
Creamy Tomato Sauce
Instructions
Creamy Tomato Sauce
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Preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C).
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In an oven-safe dish, toss 16 oz of cherry tomatoes, 3 quartered tomatoes on the vine, and 2 bulbs of garlic with the tops cut off. Drizzle generously with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
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Roast the tomatoes and garlic in the oven for 40–50 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and the garlic is caramelized.
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Once done, squeeze the roasted garlic bulbs into a blender or a pot. Add the roasted tomatoes, 1 cup of heavy cream, and a few fresh basil leaves.
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Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend the mixture into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add more heavy cream if you want a thinner consistency. Set the sauce aside.
You can omit the heavy cream if you prefer a traditional tomato sauce
Bread the Chicken
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Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally and pound them out using a rolling pin or meat mallet until they’re thin and even.
My brand of breadcrumbs in the next step are quite salty, so I did not add any additional seasoning on my chicken breast, but feel free to -
Set up 3 bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. If using plain breadcrumbs, season them with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, or any seasoning you prefer.
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Coat each piece of chicken first in flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs.
Fry the Chicken
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Heat enough olive oil in a skillet to shallow-fry the chicken. Bring the oil to 350°F (175°C).
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Fry each piece of breaded chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and let the chicken rest on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
Toast the Ciabatta
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Cut your ciabatta baguette in half lengthwise and drizzle the cut sides with olive oil.
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Toast the bread in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until golden and crisp.
Assemble the Sandwich
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Spread a generous layer of the creamy tomato sauce on the bottom half of the toasted ciabatta.
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Place the fried chicken on top of the sauce.
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Ladle more creamy tomato sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Tear the burrata cheese and spread it evenly over the chicken and sauce.
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Drizzle with pesto to finish.
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Close the sandwich with the top half of the ciabatta, slice, and enjoy!
