Chili’s has never been one to shy away from an unconventional menu item, and its latest creation might be one of its cheesiest yet.
The casual dining chain has introduced the Chicken Parm Big Crispy, a new sandwich that combines its signature Big Crispy chicken sandwich with its viral Fried Mozzarella and marinara sauce. It’s an over-the-top take on the Italian-American classic, complete with the kind of dramatic cheese pull that has helped make the restaurant’s Triple Dipper a social media sensation.
I recently had the opportunity to try the new sandwich during a tasting at a Chili’s in Staten Island, New York, and while the combination might sound excessive on paper, it works surprisingly well.
The chicken itself was juicy, tender and generously portioned, with a crispy exterior that held up against the marinara and mozzarella. Despite the novelty of stacking a massive piece of fried cheese onto a chicken sandwich, the flavors came together much like a traditional chicken parm hero. The Fried Mozz added another layer of texture and, of course, the signature cheese pull.
It’s undeniably a bit of a gimmick, but a delicious one.
The sandwich is also a substantial meal. It comes with french fries, white cheddar mac and cheese, and sides of marinara and Chili’s house-made ranch. Between the sandwich and its accompaniments, there’s certainly no shortage of food, making it a satisfying option without the need to order additional sides.
The Chicken Parm Big Crispy builds on the success of the chain’s Big Crispy lineup, which debuted in April with six variations. According to Chili’s, the number of chicken sandwiches sold per restaurant per day increased by 175% by the end of June compared with before the lineup’s launch.
“We’ve loved seeing how guests responded to the Big Crispy, and it got us thinking about how we could build on that with flavors we know they already love,” said George Felix, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Chili’s parent company, Brinker International, in a statement.
To introduce the sandwich, Chili’s leaned into its Italian-American inspiration with a playful rollout in Florence, Kentucky; Rome, Georgia; and Venice, Florida. The three cities received the sandwich on October 13, a week before its nationwide debut on October 20.
The brand even enlisted Jersey Shore personality Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi for a promotional tourism video filmed in Florence, Kentucky, embracing the fact that neither the sandwich nor the restaurant chain actually originated in Italy.
The Chicken Parm Big Crispy is now available at Chili’s restaurants nationwide, although there’s a catch: it isn’t listed on the regular menu. Guests must specifically ask a Chili’s team member for the sandwich.
More Than Just a Chicken Sandwich
While the sandwich was the centerpiece of my visit, the tasting also offered an opportunity to experience some of the dishes that have made Chili’s a longtime favorite.
Naturally, that included the Triple Dipper, with its customizable selection of appetizers. Our combination featured Southwest Eggrolls, Honey-Chipotle Boneless Wings and the ever-popular Fried Mozzarella. We also sampled the Santa Fe salad with Chicken Crispers, along with a classic cheesecake that recently returned to the menu.
To drink, we tried October’s Margarita of the Month, the Witches Brew, a festive blue-green cocktail made with tequila, blue curaçao and Granny Smith apple flavoring. November’s featured cocktail is the Good Witch Marg, a dragonfruit-based margarita priced at $6.
And, of course, no Chili’s visit would feel quite complete without an ice-cold, crisp fountain Coca-Cola.
Beyond the food, however, one of the most memorable parts of the experience was speaking with Anthony Acampora, managing partner of the Staten Island location.
Acampora spoke enthusiastically about the restaurant and the collaborative atmosphere among its employees. He described how team members share feedback about menu items and restaurant operations, with their suggestions making their way to higher levels of management.
He also joked that he had been quietly experimenting with his own version of a chicken parm sandwich in the kitchen before Chili’s officially introduced the Chicken Parm Big Crispy.
Our conversation offered a glimpse into the sense of camaraderie that can exist behind the scenes at a restaurant chain of Chili’s size. Throughout the tasting, the hospitality was attentive and welcoming, reinforcing the familiar, neighborhood-restaurant atmosphere that has long been part of the brand’s appeal.
Chili’s Is Bringing Its Nostalgia Into Fashion
That sense of familiarity is also at the center of Chili’s latest merchandise launch.
The restaurant recently introduced its Suburban Collection, a clothing and accessories lineup inspired by the role Chili’s has played in suburban American life for more than five decades.
The collection features oversized rugby shirts ($50), chenille pepper hoodies ($60), varsity jerseys ($35) and logo T-shirts ($30), alongside more playful pieces that incorporate the chain’s signature menu items.
Among the standouts is the $55 Cropped Cheese Pull Quarter Zip, designed to make the wearer’s arms resemble a stretchy mozzarella cheese pull. There’s also a Cheese Pull Hat for $30, along with gold-plated necklaces inspired by Chili’s margaritas and Baby Back Ribs.
“Streetwear has dominated mainstream fashion for years, but now we’re starting to see suburban wear have its moment as more consumers are drawn to relaxed, comfort-first fits,” Jesse Johnson, vice president of marketing at Chili’s, said in a statement announcing the collection.
The new merchandise is another example of Chili’s finding ways to connect with customers beyond its menu. The brand has also explored unexpected experiences and activations, including a two-day Chili’s Golf Club in California, bringing its recognizable personality into settings outside the restaurant.
The Suburban Collection is available at WelcomeToChilis.com while supplies last, alongside a limited-edition Chicken Parm Big Crispy T-shirt.
Between the oversized chicken parm sandwich, nostalgic merchandise and playful marketing campaigns, Chili’s appears determined to embrace what has always made the chain recognizable while giving customers new reasons to return.
And after trying the Chicken Parm Big Crispy for myself, I’d happily order it again.
