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As you guys know, I’m a huge grilled cheese fan. And by grilled cheese I mean, buttered bread pan-fried until the cheese is melty and gooey and the outside of the bread is crisp and the inside of the bread is still a bit soft. Cheese toasties –cheese melted on bread in a toaster– are not grilled cheeses and never will be. They have their time and place in the world too, but grilled cheese will forever have my heart.

I absolutely do not remember the first time I had a grilled cheese, but last year, when I went over to my friend’s house, I made her son his first ever grilled cheese. I had gone over to visit with her brand new baby and drop off some noodle salad. Her older son (he was about 5 at the time) wasn’t so into the noodle salad so I offered to make him a grilled cheese.

He asked, in his sweet little voice, “What’s a grilled cheese, mommy?” I was flabbergasted! How in the heck was it possible that he had not had grilled cheese?! My friend assured him it was delicious and that he would love it but he didn’t seem so convinced. I went ahead and made him one anyway –cut in quarters, of course – and he gamely gave a corner a tiny nibble. Then he smiled a shy smile and said, “you were right! It is good mommy!”

I felt so good. Can you imagine tasting a grilled cheese for the first time? I kind of imagine that if you had a bite of this insane fried chicken grilled cheese sandwich, you’d get all the feels. We have this yummy looking new bread here on the West Coast called Arnold and I literally squee’d when I saw the super cute name and package (No Small Potatoes!!).  I got their pillowy homestyle-tasting “premium potato” country potato bread, made two crisp and fluffy grilled cheeses, and put a piece of fried chicken, along with some greens, tomatoes, and ranch in between them. Friends, it was a pro move – I hope you do it!

Fried Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
makes 1 giant sandwich to share
prep time: 5 minutes
cook time: 20 minutes
total time: 25 minutes

• 1 medium thick, boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• oil to shallow fry
• 4 slices Arnold Potato Bread, or bread of choice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup shredded cheese (I used havarti and cheddar)
• ranch dressing, to taste
• handful of baby arugula
• 3 thin slices of tomato

Place the chicken breast in the buttermilk. Let sit, for at least 10 minutes at room temperature, or if you have the time, covered, overnight in the fridge.

In a shallow container, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Take the chicken out of the buttermilk, shake gently, then coat in flour, pressing to ensure all sides are covered. Let sit on a plate while you heat up the oil.

Heat up at least 1-2 inches of oil (I prefer rice bran or grapeseed) in a deep cast iron or heavy bottomed pot over medium heat until 375°F.

Carefully add the coated chicken to the hot oil and fry. Flip occasionally as needed, until crunchy, brown and cooked through, 8-10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165°F. Place on a wire rack while making the grilled cheeses.

Heat up two non-stick frying pans over medium-low heat. Butter two slices of bread and place one in each pan, butter-side down. Top both slices evenly with the shredded cheese. Butter the other slices of bread and place on top of the cheese, butter-sides facing out. Cook slowly on medium-low heat until golden brown and toasty. Most of your cheese should be melted when it’s time to flip. Carefully flip your sandwich and continue grilling. The second-side grills a bit faster, so turn the heat down to low and keep a close eye on it. When perfect, remove from the pan.

Spread ranch sauce, to taste on one grilled cheese sandwich. Top with arugula, sliced tomatoes, the fried chicken and the other grilled cheese. Slice in half and enjoy hot!

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