What happens when you smash together all the best parts of Italian American takeout? You get these epic Garlic Knot Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches. Imagine this: a warm, soft, freshly baked garlic knot, hollowed out and stuffed with crispy, golden brown chicken parmesan, melty mozzarella, and tangy marinara. It’s like your favorite chicken parm sub and the garlic bread you can’t stop eating had the most delicious, carb filled baby.
This recipe is a true weekend project or a fantastic centerpiece for a game day spread. It’s a labor of love that is 1000% worth the effort. The aroma of baking garlic knots and frying chicken will fill your kitchen, and the first bite of that cheesy, saucy, garlicky masterpiece is pure, unadulterated comfort food joy. Let’s make the sandwich of your dreams!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Ultimate Mashup: It combines three iconic favorites—garlic knots, chicken parmesan, and a hearty sandwich—into one unforgettable meal.
- Over the Top Delicious: This isn’t a subtle dish. It’s big, bold, cheesy, saucy, and packed with garlicky, buttery flavor in every single bite.
- Perfect for Feeding a Crowd: These sandwiches are impressive and satisfying. They’re a guaranteed hit for parties, game day, or a fun family dinner.
- Fun to Make: Shaping your own garlic knots and breading the chicken is a hands on, rewarding cooking experience.
- Leftovers are Amazing: Any extra components (garlic knots, chicken cutlets) are fantastic on their own the next day.
Let’s Make Garlic Knot Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
This recipe has three main components: the homemade garlic knots, the crispy chicken parmesan, and the glorious garlic butter finish. We’ll tackle them in order.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Garlic Knots:
- 1 lb. refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade), at room temp
- ½ cup olive oil, divided
- All purpose flour, for dusting
For the Chicken Parmesan:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 cups seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or other high heat oil) for frying
- For Assembly & Garlic Butter:
- ½ cup + extra marinara sauce
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Step by Step Instructions
1Bake the Garlic Knots: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, divide the pizza dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1.5 to 2 feet long.
Tie each rope into a loose figure 8 knot. Place on the baking sheet and gently tug the ends to elongate the knot slightly. Brush lightly with olive oil, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rest for 20 minutes.
Bake for 22-25 minutes, until cooked through and just beginning to turn golden. Set aside to cool completely before slicing.
2Prep and Fry the Chicken: While the knots bake/rest, prepare your breading station. Get three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with eggs whisked with milk, and one with breadcrumbs.
Pat the chicken cutlets dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Dredge each cutlet: first in flour (shake off excess), then in the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Place on a plate.
Heat the 1 cup of vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat until shimmering (about 350°F). Fry the chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
3Assemble the Sandwiches: Once the garlic knots are cool enough to handle, carefully slice them in half horizontally, like a bun.
Place the bottom halves on a baking sheet. Spread a spoonful of marinara on each. Place a fried chicken cutlet on top (you’ll have one extra—snack time!). Top the chicken with another spoonful of marinara, then add 1.5 slices of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Place the top halves of the garlic knots over the cheese. Bake at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are warmed through.
4The Finishing Touch – Garlic Butter Bath: While the sandwiches bake, make the garlic butter. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the remaining olive oil, minced garlic, and butter. Microwave in 30 second bursts until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant. Stir in the chopped parsley.
As soon as the sandwiches come out of the oven, immediately and generously brush them with the garlic butter mixture, getting those delicious minced garlic bits all over the tops. Serve immediately with extra warm marinara for dipping!
Serving Suggestions & Expert Tips
- Shortcut Success: To save time, use store bought garlic knots or sub rolls and frozen breaded chicken cutlets. You’ll still get an amazing sandwich with the homemade garlic butter finish.
- Chicken Thickness is Key: Pounding or slicing the chicken breasts thin ensures they cook quickly and evenly in the hot oil without drying out.
- The Garlic Butter is Non Negotiable: Don’t skip it! It soaks into the warm bread and takes these sandwiches to a legendary level.
- Make Ahead: You can bake the garlic knots and fry the chicken cutlets a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge, then assemble and warm through before serving.
This is more than a sandwich; it’s an experience. I hope you have as much fun making (and devouring) it as I do!
Garlic Knot Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
Ingredients
For Garlic Knots:
- 1 lb refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For Chicken:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 3 cups seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
For Assembly:
- ½ cup + extra marinara sauce
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan divided
For Garlic Butter:
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bake Knots: Preheat oven to 400°F. Divide dough into 3 pieces. Roll into ropes, tie into figure 8 knots. Place on baking sheet, brush with oil, rest 20 mins. Bake 22-25 mins until golden. Cool, then slice in half.
- Fry Chicken: Season chicken. Set up breading station: flour, eggs+milk, breadcrumbs. Dredge chicken. Heat oil in skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken 3-4 mins per side until golden and cooked. Drain.
- Assemble: On baking sheet, place knot bottoms. Add marinara, chicken, more marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Top with knot tops. Bake 5-7 mins at 400°F until cheese melts.
- Make Garlic Butter: Microwave olive oil, garlic, and butter until melted. Stir in parsley.
- Finish: Brush baked sandwiches generously with garlic butter. Serve immediately with extra marinara.
Notes
- Shortcuts: Use store bought garlic knots and frozen chicken cutlets to save time.
- Make Ahead: Bake knots and fry chicken up to a day ahead. Assemble and warm before serving.
- Serving: These are large, hearty sandwiches perfect for sharing or a very hungry appetite!
