Grilled Chicken Parmesan
This is not the typical recipe that you think of but you’re going to love this grilled chicken parmesan.
You absolutely will eat it and immediately think chicken parmesan, and who knows you might even like it better!
Chicken parmesan recipes usually have breading on the chicken. Don’t get me wrong I love a good dredge with egg and breadcrumbs but something about this dish makes it so light and clean.
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Ingredients
- 1lb of chicken breast
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 white onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 slices of provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan
Equipment
- grill
- cutting board
- chef knife
How to make grilled chicken parmesan
You are going to love how simple and quick this recipe is. If you love chicken parm then you’re going like the spin on this.
This recipe also makes a great chicken parmesan sandwich and you do not have to mess with the egg and doing the breading of the chicken parm.
You can pair the dish with pasta and some garlic bread and really bring it to the next level!
This is a chicken parmesan recipe without bread crumbs. This is a much healthier version of the recipe.
Just follow the steps. Also, don’t forget nobody likes dry chicken so make sure how to tell if your grilled chicken is done.
Prepare the Ingredients
Chop the onion and garlic
I like to chop the onion and garlic in a food processor or chop it really fine with a good knife. This makes the onion and garlic really fine.
This does two things to the dish. it makes the marinara silky smooth and it speeds up the cooking process.
If you really enjoy garlic don’t be afraid to add more.
Prepare the chicken
Slice the chicken breasts the long way so you create two thin pieces of one chicken breast.
This cut should go through the center of the chicken breast. You are cutting the long way through the with of the chicken.
The chicken breast is the classic that you typically get from a breaded chicken parmesan. This is a better option than using chicken thighs.
If you are buying store-bought chicken that has already been processed you should really try cutting up a whole chicken yourself!
Add olive oil to the chicken and then season them with salt and pepper.
I really prefer to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil, this is better for grilling seeing that it will have a higher smoke point.
Preheat the grill
You want to go ahead and preheat the grill to 400 degrees. If it needs a good cleaning go ahead and do this before you heat it up!
Saute the onions and garlic
Add olive oil to your frying pan or whatever pot that you are using to make the sauce for the dish.
After the oil is good and hot just before it smokes then add the onions.
Saute the onions for a while before you add the garlic. You want the onions to be translucent before you add the garlic.
Keep an eye on them because you do not want them to burn.
Simmer and reduce the marinara sauce
Go ahead and add the crushed tomatoes to the pan. Stir in the tomatoes until it is all mixed in.
Let the sauce do its thing. You want it to reduce from the simmering so when you add it to the plate it’s not a watery mess.
This sauce is designed to be thick.
Grill the chicken
Take the chicken that you prepared and put it on the preheated grill. The goal is to get a good sear on the chicken. Let it cook until it will release and not stick to the grates.
People tend to try to flip the chicken too early and end up tearing the chicken.
After 5-7 minutes, you’re going to be able to flip the chicken.
You want to grill the chicken to 155 degrees and then go ahead and add the sliced provolone cheese.
I prefer provolone but some people might use mozzarella. It’s funny you would think with the name “parmesan” that would be the main cheese but it is not for this dish.
I provolone is the best cheese for this recipe!
As the cheese melts the chicken should get closer to 160 degrees.
After you get a melt on the cheese go ahead and pull the chicken. At this point, the chicken should be under the 165-degree mark but it will get there as it rests.
If you love grilled chicken you need to check out my grilled buffalo chicken recipe.
Prepare the grilled chicken parmesan
Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before you prepare the dish.
Add some of the sauce to a plate of your choice. Lay the chicken on top of the sauce. Add some more sauce over the top of the chicken.
To me, this gives it a better presentation and it also keeps the chicken and sauce warmer as you eat.
Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese over top of the dish and get ready for some deliciousness.
What to serve with chicken parmesan
There are so many options but the ones that come to mind the most are…
- angel hair pasta
- serve it on a sub roll
- spaghetti pasta
- a garden salad
What cheese options for chicken parmesan
I really think by far the best cheese that goes on top of the chicken is provolone.
A lot of people will use mozzarella but it doesn’t have the same type of flavor that you get from provolone. A low skim mozzarella might be best if you’re going that route.
In the end that added freshly grated parmesan can add some incredible flavor to the chicken.
Alterantive sauce for chicken parmesan
Use the sauce recipe that I give you. But if you cant go that route you can use a spaghetti sauce. Another option is pizza sauce.
FAQ
How many calories in grilled chicken parmesan?
There are 527 calories per serving in our grilled chicken Parmesan dish. When you are thinking about calories a lot has to do with the cheese that you are using.
What do you eat with chicken parmesan?
It is very common to have a side of pasta with chicken parmesan. I think an angel hair pasta is the best choice. A piece of really buttery garlic bread goes well with chicken parmesan also.
What is the best chicken to use for chicken parmesan?
The best chicken to use for this recipe would be a chicken breast. Chicken thighs are great tasting but they really don’t give the texture that this recipe deserves.
Grilled Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast
- 32 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup white onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz slices provolone cheese 4 slices, cut in half
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Slice your chicken breasts the long way making into thinner pieces.
- Coat the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper and mix well making sure everything gets evenly spread.
- Preheat your grill to 400 degrees.
- Chopped your onions and garlic
- Add the onions and garlic to a heated pan on medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the onions untill trasparent and then add your crushed tomatoes. Let this simmer.
- Put your chicken breasts on the grill and close it. Check back in 5-7 minutes and then flip your chicken.
- Once your internal temperature reaches 155 degrees add your sliced provolone on top of the chicken. Close the grill and let the cheese melt. This will only take a minute or two.
- Check your chicken's temperature, should be 165 degrees by now so go ahead and pull it off
- Plate your chicken. Start with sauce on your plate, lay a piece of chicken on the sauce, add more sauce on top and then grate some fresh parmesan cheese over your dish. Now the best part… ENJOY!
Nutrition
I hope you find this grilled chicken parmesan recipe the best that you ever had! You will find how easy it is and how healthy it can be for a parmesan recipe.
Let me know in the comments if you tried the recipe or your going to try it!
I make mine without the breading because is one more step ? I never thought of cooking it on the grill! it must give it an amazing flavor.
Yes if you can take away a step and its still delicious then “bonus”! Give the grill a shot you will enjoy it. Thanks for commenting!
Looks yummy! I have never made it on the grill before, but now I can’t wait to try!
Give it a shot and let me know what you think!
Oh my goodness…I cannot wait to give this a try! Looks fantastic 🙂
It is so simple but delicious you will love it!
My kind of comfort food! Love that this is a lighter option!
Yum! This sounds so tasty! Think I need to make this very soon!
I love the grill aspect of these. I’m definitely going to give these a try!