What’s Up, Hungry People

It’s my 600th post – we gotta do something HUGE!! So today, we’re making a GIANT chicken Parmesan sandwich!

Made from the same ingredients as your standard-sized chicken parm, this GIGANTIC chicken Parmesan sandwich uses two whole focaccia loaves for the bun, a jar of pasta sauce, a boatload of cheese, and three chicken breasts formed into a COLOSSAL chicken patty.

Here’s What You Need:

Chicken breasts: For a hearty, flavorful patty.
Flour: Helps the breading stick to the chicken.
Eggs: Binds the breading to the chicken.
Italian bread crumbs: Adds a crispy, seasoned crust.
Parsley: Fresh flavor and garnish.
Paprika: Adds smoky, sweet flavor.
Chili powder: Kicks up the spice.
Focaccia loaves: Makes up the giant bun.
Garlic butter: Rich, garlicky base for the bread.
Marinara sauce: Classic tomato goodness.
Parmesan cheese: Sharp, nutty flavor.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts perfectly for gooeyness.
Six cheese Italian blend: Extra cheesy goodness.
Olive oil: For frying the patty.

giant food recipe for chicken parmesan sandwich

Let’s Cook

First, let’s get that chicken ready. Pound your chicken breasts until they’re about a half-inch thick. This makes them cook evenly and quickly. Arrange them on a flat plate, overlapping the edges to form a massive, single patty. Pop it in the freezer for 6-8 hours or until it’s solid. Trust me, freezing helps hold everything together.

Set Up the Breading Stations:

While waiting, prepare your breading stations. In one dish, mix flour. In another, whisk your eggs. In a third, mix Italian bread crumbs, parsley, paprika, and chili powder.

Bread the Chicken:

Once the chicken is frozen, place the patty in a gallon-sized bag with the flour. Shake it up until it’s coated. Then, move it to the eggs, making sure it’s well covered. Next, coat it in the breadcrumb mix. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for a nice, thick crust.

Fry the Chicken:

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the chicken patty – it’s going to be big! Sear it for about 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked inside; we’ll finish it in the oven.

Bake the Chicken:

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Transfer the chicken patty to a greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Prepare the Focaccia Loaves:

While the chicken is baking, spread garlic butter on the bottom halves of your focaccia loaves. Layer each with 5-6 slices of Parmesan cheese. Toast these in the oven at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, or if your chicken is still baking at 425°F, toast for just 2-3 minutes until the butter melts and the edges get crispy.

Assemble the Sandwich:

Now, let’s assemble! Place the chicken patty on one of the focaccia loaves. Spread about a cup of marinara sauce on top, add more Parmesan slices, and pile on the mozzarella and Italian cheese blend. Top it all with the other focaccia loaf.

Final Bake:

Bake the whole sandwich for another 10-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (165°F in the center) and the cheese is melty.

Cut the sandwich into slices, or just dig in whole – either way, it’s going to be epic.

Tips for Your Giant Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

Freezing the Chicken: Freezing helps the chicken hold its shape during breading and cooking. Make sure it’s fully frozen before you start.
Breading Tips: For a thick, crispy crust, double coat the chicken. Dip it in egg and breadcrumbs twice.
Frying Safely: When placing the large patty in hot oil, do it carefully to avoid splashes. Use tongs or a spatula.
Baking Time: If the edges of your bread get too crispy before the chicken is done, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
Serving: Let the sandwich rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set and makes it easier to cut.

This giant chicken Parmesan sandwich is a showstopper that’s perfect for any celebration or just a fun dinner. The crispy chicken, melty cheese, and flavorful marinara all packed into a giant focaccia bun make every bite a delight. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy with this one – it’s all part of the experience. Try it out and let me know what you think. And if you have any ideas for the next giant dish, drop a comment below.

GIANT Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

The Starving Chef

A colossal chicken Parmesan sandwich featuring crispy chicken, melty cheese, and rich marinara sauce on focaccia loaves.

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Prep Time 6

Cook Time 1

Total Time 7

Course Sandwiches

Cuisine Sandwich

Servings

Equipment

Ingredients

3 chicken breasts
2 cups flour
6 eggs
3 cups Italian bread crumbs
4 tablespoons parsley + more for garnish
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 foccocia loaves
6 tablespoons garlic butter
1 cup marinara sauce
10 slices Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup six cheese Italian blend
5 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Pound the chicken breasts a half inch flat. Arrange on a flat plate in a circular shape, overlapping the edges of the chicken. Freeze for 6-8 hours, until solid.
Prepare a gallon-sized bag with two cups of flour and set aside. Whisk the eggs and pour them into a large dish. Mix together the bread crumbs, parsley, paprika, and chili powder in a separate large dish.
Place the frozen chicken patty into the gallon bag and seal tightly. Shake the bag until the chicken breast is coated evenly with flour.
Transfer the chicken patty to the eggs and coat entirely with the eggs. Then transfer to the bread crumb mixture and coat evenly with the breadcrumbs. Repeat with the eggs and bread crumbs until there is a thick crust on the chicken patty.
Preheat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the breaded chicken patty in the hot oil carefully and sear until the bread crust is golden brown – about 6-8 minutes per side. It's okay if the chicken is NOT cooked in the middle (it may still be frozen!).
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Transfer the chicken patty to a greased baking sheet and continue to cook for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, use the garlic butter and spread it in an even layer onto the focaccia loaves' bottoms. Arrange 5-6 slices of Parmesan cheese onto each of the focaccia loaves.
Toast the loaves, bottom side up, until the butter is melted. (TIP: I heated mine at 350°F for 5-6 minutes; if you cook with your chicken at 425°F, only cook for 2-3 minutes.)
Remove the chicken patty from the oven. It may not be 100% cooked but that's okay!
Assemble the chicken patty on top of one of the focaccia loaves along with about a cup of marinara sauce, more Parmesan cheese slices, one cup of mozzarella, and one cup of Italian six cheese blend. Place the other focaccia loaf on top.
Bake for 10-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (should read 165 F in the center of the chicken patty) and the cheese is fully melted.
Cut the chicken patty into slices or eat whole, bite by bite. Enjoy!