Grilled Chicken Parmesan
On June 20, 2022 (Updated October 24, 2023)
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This grilled chicken parmesan is the ultimate BBQ twist on a classic Italian favorite. Simply seasoned and grilled chicken is topped with marinara and Parmesan for a delicious (and easy!) weeknight dinner.
Chicken Parmesan on the Grill
When developing this recipe, I wanted to create an easy way to make chicken parmesan on the grill that still tastes like the classic recipe you know and love. This grilled chicken parmesan is a grill-friendly recipe (no need to turn on the oven!) with tons of flavor and no need for deep-frying the chicken.
This chicken parmesan is so much better than other recipes out there. Herby chicken seasoning combines with char from the grill, melty cheese, and bright tomatoes for a flavor party in your mouth. To mimic the crispy coating of chicken parmesan, the chicken is topped with a tasty toasted breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan
If you’re like me, you’re often scrambling to put together dinner after crazy days. This grilled chicken parmesan is fairly fast and easy, and you only need 7 ingredients! Here’s what you need to make this chicken parmesan.
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
For the panko topping, you need the following:
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
For the chicken seasoning, you can either use my Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub available in the Hey Grill Hey Store or make a similar chicken seasoning using my recipe for Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Parmesan
Once you are ready to make your meal, all you need is a trusty grill and an internal meat thermometer. Here’s how to make grilled chicken parmesan.
- Prep and season. Turn on your charcoal grill or pellet grill and preheat to 375-400 degrees F. Season all sides of the chicken breasts with Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub or Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning.
- Grill. Place the seasoned chicken breasts directly on the grill grates and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken when the internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat reads 155 degrees F.
- Add marinara and cheese. Flip the chicken and add a spoonful of marinara sauce and a bunch of shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by a pinch of parmesan cheese. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the grilled chicken parmesan from the grates to rest.
- Make panko. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat (you can do this on your grill or a stovetop). Melt the butter then add the panko breadcrumbs to the skillet. Stir until the panko is golden brown.
- Serve warm. Dish up the grilled chicken parmesan and top with a spoonful of the panko breadcrumbs. Enjoy!
Tips for Making Chicken Parmesan on the Grill
Here are some tips for making chicken parmesan on the grill. Did you take note of any tips or tricks while you made this recipe? If so, let us know in the comments below.
- Shred the cheese yourself. While you can definitely buy the cheeses pre-shredded, you’ll often get a much better melt on cheese that you shred yourself.
- Don’t skimp on the panko. Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch to the chicken. You can swap the Panko breadcrumbs for classic breadcrumbs, but you get a much better crunch (reminiscent of fried chicken crispiness) with Panko.
- Make the marinara from scratch. When in a pinch, you can definitely use bottled marinara from the store, but I always notice a major difference if I make the marinara myself. Go with whatever works best for you!
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
It’s hard to pass up chicken for dinner. It’s easy and often enjoyed by every member of the family. If you’re looking to add more delicious grilled chicken recipes to your recipe book, check out a few of our favorite dinner options below.
Grilled Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Want to become the master of chicken? Join my members-only group The Grill Squad to access my Chicken Pitmaster Class (and so much more!) to increase your confidence of all things BBQ. Together we can help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero!
Grilled Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub recipe links in notes section
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Panko Topping
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat. Turn on the grill and allow it to preheat to 375-400 degrees F.
- Season. While the grill preheats, season the chicken breasts on both sides with the Chicken Rub.
- Grill the chicken. Place the breasts on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 6-8 minutes. Flip the breasts, close the lid, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken reads 155 degrees F.
- Add marinara and cheese. Flip the chicken breasts again and top each chicken breast with a spoonful of marinara sauce, a pile of shredded mozzarella, and a pinch of shredded Parmesan cheese. Close the lid and cook until the chicken reads 165 degrees F and the cheeses are melted. Remove the chicken to a platter and allow it to rest.
- Make the panko topping. While your chicken rests, prepare your toasted Panko. Preheat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter in the pan and add in the breadcrumbs. Stir frequently and toast the breadcrumbs until they are golden brown and fragrant.
- Enjoy. Top each chicken breast with a spoonful of the panko breadcrumbs and serve.
Notes
- Purchase it from the store HERE: Chicken Rub
- Make it from scratch using this RECIPE: Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My wife and I enjoyed this recipe. The chicken was moist, and the toasted panic really simulated the fried sensation. I made it with the lemon herb rub.