Chopped Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

Name: Chopped Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 large sub roll; 3 tbsp butter, melted and divided; 4 cloves garlic, minced and divided; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

This chopped chicken parmesan sandwich reinvents the classic by mixing saucy, cheesy chicken pieces throughout a garlic butter toasted sub roll, ensuring every bite delivers the full parmesan experience without the traditional breaded cutlet.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Chopped sandwich 🏷️Chicken parmesan 🏷️Chicken parm 🏷️Sandwich Sub

🏷️

🏷️Cheesesteak

-0:00

TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 large sub roll
3 tbsp butter, melted and divided
4 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

11 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Slice the sub roll lengthwise, but not all the way through, to open it like a book.
2
In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp of melted butter with about half of the minced garlic. Brush this mixture all over the inside of the sub roll.
3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and cook the chicken thighs until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, add the remaining minced garlic and the red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5
Chop the cooked chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.
6
Add the chopped chicken back to the skillet, along with the chopped parsley and crushed tomatoes. Stir everything together.
7
Let the mixture simmer until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is very tender.
8
Turn off the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and gooey.
9
Place the garlic-buttered roll face down onto the chicken mixture in the pan, pressing gently to scoop up the filling.
10
Carefully flip the entire pan over onto a cutting board to transfer the sandwich.
11
In a separate small pan, melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter and toast the panko breadcrumbs until golden and crispy.
12
Spoon the toasted breadcrumbs over the top of the chicken filling.
13
Serve immediately.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces before cooking to ensure they cook evenly and integrate fully with the sauce.
Toast the garlic butter roll until golden and crispy but still tender inside—this prevents sogginess and adds structural support for the filling.
Mix the crushed tomato sauce with the cooked chicken off-heat, then fold in mozzarella so it melts gently into the warm mixture rather than becoming stringy.
Add crispy breadcrumbs as a topping just before serving to maintain crunch; mixing them in early will soften them.

Substitutions

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts → chicken thighs (thighs are fattier and stay moister, but breasts work if pounded thin and monitored closely)
Fresh parsley → fresh basil (use same amount; basil adds an herbaceous Italian note that complements the sauce)
Mozzarella → provolone (offers sharper flavor while still melting smoothly into the sauce)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat the chicken mixture gently on the stovetop over low heat, then reassemble on a fresh toasted roll.

Common Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but thighs stay juicier and more flavorful when cooked. If using breasts, pound to even thickness and monitor closely to avoid drying out.

How do I keep the roll from getting soggy?

Toast the roll with garlic butter just before assembly, and avoid letting the finished sandwich sit too long before serving. The crispy breadcrumbs on top also help absorb moisture.

Can I make this ahead?

Prepare the chopped chicken mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Assemble and toast the roll fresh right before serving for best texture.

What if I don't have a sub roll?

Use ciabatta, focaccia, or any sturdy sandwich bread. Avoid soft white bread, which will fall apart under the sauce and cheese weight.

Why chopped instead of a whole cutlet?

Chopping ensures every bite has saucy, cheesy chicken mixed throughout rather than layered, giving you consistent flavor and easier eating on a sandwich.