Florence Stop: First Taste of Chili’s Big Crispy Chicken Parmesan

Being someone who doesn’t possess a passport, international trips hadn’t been on my radar this year. So when Chili’s offered to fly me to Florence on their dime to sample the new Chicken Parm Big Crispy sandwich, I planned to graciously bow out and pine quietly about it forever. Fortunately for me, the invitation turned out to be closer to home: Florence, Kentucky.

Since “parm” in chicken parm feels Italian even though it’s an American invention, Chili’s wisely launched this fresh Big Crispy version a week early in three equally Italian-sounding domestic spots: Florence (KY), Rome (GA), and Venice (FL). Earlier this week, Chili’s brought me to their Florence, KY branch, as showcased beautifully in the ad below, to sample the sandwich alongside any members of the Florence community who happened to drop in for dinner that evening.

En route to dinner, we even paused for an impromptu stop at Florence’s famed water tower for a quick photoshoot… where Florence’s Boone County Marching Band awaited us with a rendition of Chili’s Baby Back Ribs song. Needless to say, this ex-band kid’s heart swelled with nostalgia.

Beyond the pageantry, our main purpose was to discuss a sandwich. Can the Chicken Parm Big Crispy stand up to the popularity of the two existing menu items that joined forces to create it?

Chili’s Chicken Parm Big Crispy Sandwich Review

New Chili’s Entrée!

Pros: It’s surprisingly tasty to add a fried mozzarella slice and a marina sauce to a fried chicken sandwich. The cheese pull remains delightful even when you cut the monster in half, as my friend Zach captured here. The flavor pairing is simple and evokes nostalgia for anyone who grew up savoring chicken parmesan and fried cheese. The provided side of white cheddar macaroni and cheese, fries, plus ranch and marinara for dipping ensure you’ll leave blissfully stuffed.

Cons: This is a substantial sandwich. While Chili’s excels at endless chips and salsa and its shareable Triple Dippers, this towering creation can leave you feeling full before you reach the halfway point, perhaps requiring a takeout box as you’re rolled toward the exit. And if dairy makes you uneasy, this version crams in more cheese than most chicken sandwiches ever do. Prepare accordingly.

Rating:

9/10

When can I get the Chicken Parm Big Crispy for myself?

This near-Italian sandwich is currently available in the three aforementioned pseudo-Italian cities—Florence, KY; Rome, GA; and Venice, FL—and will roll out nationwide across Chili’s locations on October 20th.