I made my version of a Chicken Cutlet Vodka Sauce Sandwich using thin chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper. The coating, made from flour, lightly beaten eggs, Italian breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese, crisps beautifully when fried. Topped with vodka and marinara sauces plus fresh basil, this sandwich proves irresistible.
I recently came across this amazing Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan Sandwich recipe that totally changed my idea of a sandwich. This recipe brings together flavors I never thought could blend so well, like crispy chicken cutlets coated in flour and eggs before hitting that seasoned breadcrumb mix with Parmesan cheese.
Frying each piece in olive oil until golden creates the perfect crunch that contrasts deliciously with the rich, smooth vodka sauce. I mean, who wouldn’t want to try a sandwich packed with Italian vibes?
Add in a bit of marinara for extra richness, a handful of fresh basil leaves, and a few red pepper flakes if you’re in the mood for more of a kick. As a fan of chicken cutlet vodka sauce sandwiches, I gotta say, this is a unique twist to a classic Italian chicken parm sandwich that you really need to taste to believe.
Enjoy each bite, its not your average quick dinner!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I love how simple it is to make. Even though theres a few steps, its not too complicated and I can follow along without getting too lost. Second, the mix of vodka and marinara sauce gives the sandwich an awesome flavor that is both rich and slightly spicy, and I really enjoy that unexpected kick. Third, the crispy fried chicken paired with the gooey melted mozzarella and fresh basil is just downright delicious–it’s the perfect comfort food treat for me. And finally, the toasted roll or ciabatta brings everything together in a way thats both satisfying and fun to eat, making it one of those recipes that I can look forward to making again and again.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Two large, pounded thin, deliver lean protein and hearty texture.
- Vodka sauce: Combines tomato tang with creamy vodka to add a unique savory kick.
- Italian breadcrumbs: Provide crunchy texture and extra carbohydrates for added energy.
- Fresh basil leaves: Offer bright herbal notes and vitamins to refresh each bite.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, umami flavor and calcium that enriches the experience.
- Marinara sauce: Offers a zesty tomato base and mild sweetness that balances flavors.
- Olive oil: Helps fry the chicken to a crispy, golden perfection with healthy fats.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 large chicken breasts (pounded thin)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for frying
- 2 cups vodka sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 sandwich rolls or ciabatta buns
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- Optional red pepper flakes for a bit more kick
How to Make this
1. Start by seasoning the pounded chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then set up three dishes: one with 1 cup of flour, another with 2 beaten eggs, and a third with a mix of Italian breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, dip it into the eggs, and then coat it well in the breadcrumb mixture.
3. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and fry the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. In a small saucepan, combine the 2 cups vodka sauce with 1 cup marinara sauce. Add red pepper flakes if you like a bit more spice, and let the sauces warm up together on low heat.
5. While the sauce is simmering, slice your sandwich rolls or ciabatta buns in half and lightly toast or warm them if you prefer a crispy texture.
6. Place a fried chicken breast on the bottom half of each roll.
7. Spoon a generous amount of the mixed vodka and marinara sauce over the chicken.
8. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce.
9. Add a handful of fresh basil leaves over the cheese to give it some a burst of fresh flavor.
10. Close up the sandwich with the top half of the roll and enjoy your Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan Sandwich while it’s hot.
Equipment Needed
1. Three shallow bowls or dishes – one for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and one for the breadcrumb mix
2. A fork or whisk for beating the eggs
3. A large frying pan to fry the chicken
4. Tongs or a spatula to flip and remove the chicken from the pan
5. A plate with paper towels to drain the fried chicken
6. A small saucepan to warm and combine the vodka and marinara sauces
7. A spoon to stir the sauce in the saucepan
8. A knife and cutting board to slice the sandwich rolls or ciabatta buns
9. A toaster or an oven if you want to lightly toast the buns
FAQ
Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan Sandwich Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you dont have chicken breasts on hand, try using thinly sliced turkey breast or pork cutlets instead as they cook really similar
- If all-purpose flour is not available, you might use gluten free flour or even a bit of cornstarch for the light coating
- You can replace italian breadcrumbs with plain breadcrumbs mixed with italian herbs if thats what you have
- Instead of vodka sauce, a simple tomato cream sauce works pretty well when you’re in a pinch
- If marinara sauce is missing, using a rich pizza sauce is a good alternative
Pro Tips
1. If you’re pounding the chicken, try to get them as even as possible so they cook evenly. It helps that one part isn’t too thin and burns before the rest is done.
2. When frying, don’t overcrowd the pan – letting some space between each piece will give you a better crispy coating and keeps the oil temperature steady.
3. Warming your buns lightly in a toaster or under the broiler works better than just slapping them in the microwave since that way they stay nice and crunchy.
4. Let the mixed sauce simmer a bit longer on low heat so that all the flavors really blend together; it makes a big difference when you bite into the sandwich.
Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan Sandwich Recipe
My favorite Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan Sandwich Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Three shallow bowls or dishes – one for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and one for the breadcrumb mix
2. A fork or whisk for beating the eggs
3. A large frying pan to fry the chicken
4. Tongs or a spatula to flip and remove the chicken from the pan
5. A plate with paper towels to drain the fried chicken
6. A small saucepan to warm and combine the vodka and marinara sauces
7. A spoon to stir the sauce in the saucepan
8. A knife and cutting board to slice the sandwich rolls or ciabatta buns
9. A toaster or an oven if you want to lightly toast the buns
Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts (pounded thin)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for frying
- 2 cups vodka sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 sandwich rolls or ciabatta buns
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- Optional red pepper flakes for a bit more kick
Instructions:
1. Start by seasoning the pounded chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then set up three dishes: one with 1 cup of flour, another with 2 beaten eggs, and a third with a mix of Italian breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, dip it into the eggs, and then coat it well in the breadcrumb mixture.
3. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and fry the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. In a small saucepan, combine the 2 cups vodka sauce with 1 cup marinara sauce. Add red pepper flakes if you like a bit more spice, and let the sauces warm up together on low heat.
5. While the sauce is simmering, slice your sandwich rolls or ciabatta buns in half and lightly toast or warm them if you prefer a crispy texture.
6. Place a fried chicken breast on the bottom half of each roll.
7. Spoon a generous amount of the mixed vodka and marinara sauce over the chicken.
8. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce.
9. Add a handful of fresh basil leaves over the cheese to give it some a burst of fresh flavor.
10. Close up the sandwich with the top half of the roll and enjoy your Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan Sandwich while it’s hot.
