Crispy Parmesan Chicken Thighs (Printable format)

Golden panko-Parmesan crusted chicken thighs paired with buttery, melty grilled cheese sandwiches.

# List of ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 2 large eggs, beaten
09 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Grilled Cheese

11 - 8 slices sourdough bread or sturdy sandwich bread
12 - 8 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
13 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
14 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls containing flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
03 - Pat chicken thighs dry. Dredge each in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly with the panko-Parmesan mixture.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken thighs 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes; slice or leave whole as desired.
06 - Spread softened butter and mayonnaise, if using, on one side of each bread slice.
07 - Place 1 to 2 cheese slices on the unbuttered side of half the bread. Add a crispy chicken thigh or slices atop the cheese, then another slice of cheese. Top with remaining bread, buttered side out.
08 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Grill sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese has melted.
09 - Slice sandwiches and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's comfort food stacked on top of itself—crispy chicken meets melty cheese meets buttery toast, all at once.
  • The whole thing comes together in 45 minutes, so it feels fancy but doesn't demand hours of your day.
  • People genuinely lose their minds when you tell them what's inside; the payoff is worth the small amount of prep.
02 -
  • The chicken won't be fully cooked after the skillet browning, which is why the oven time is essential—rushing this step means undercooked chicken inside.
  • If your bread is too soft or thin, it'll fall apart when you try to flip it; sturdy sourdough or a good quality sandwich bread is genuinely worth the upgrade.
  • Pressing the sandwich gently while grilling helps the cheese melt without squishing everything out the sides.
03 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry before breading—moisture is the enemy of a crispy crust.
  • Keep your butter softened but not melting, so it spreads evenly and browns consistently instead of pooling in spots.
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