Roman Nostalgia in a Bite: Focaccia Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Night with My Roommates

    There’s something about food that brings memories to life. This week, my roommates and I recreated a sandwich that instantly takes us back to our study abroad days in Rome, Italy. It was one of those nights where all of us just needed a break. Classes are winding down, graduation is approaching (the real world!), and we’ve all been talking about soaking in these last few weeks together. So, we poured some wine, queued up some Frank Sinatra (because let’s be real, there’s no better soundtrack for a cooking night), and got to work.

    We were recreating the sandwich. The one we’d grab from a corner deli near our apartment in Trastevere. The focaccia bread was always warm and chewy, the chicken cutlet perfectly crispy, and that balsamic glaze. We added it, but there was just balsamic vinaigrette on the sandwich.  Here’s how we made it and how you can too!

The full sandwich!

How to Make the Roman Chicken Cutlet Focaccia Sandwich 

Ingredients:

• Focaccia bread (store-bought or homemade, if you’re feeling ambitious)
• Chicken cutlets (breaded and baked)
• Fresh arugula
• tomatoes, sliced
• Fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• Balsamic glaze
• Olive oil, salt, pepper
• Optional: a glass of red wine to sip while cooking 

Step-by-Step:

1. Prep the Chicken Cutlets:

• Pound chicken breasts until thin, season with salt and pepper
• Dip in flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs.
• Pan-fry in olive oil over medium heat until golden and crispy. Set aside.

2. Toast the Focaccia: 

• Slice your focaccia in half lengthwise and toast it lightly in the oven or on a skillet to warm it up and give it a little crunch.

Focaccia bread before being toasted

3. Build the Sandwich:

• Start with a layer of arugula on the bottom half of the bread (everyone layered their sandwiches differently!) I added the chicken cutlet first.
• Add your crispy chicken cutlet.
• Place slices of tomato and mozzarella on top.
• Drizzle generously with balsamic glaze.
• Top it off with the other half of the focaccia

The ingredients and toasted bread!

Why This Night Mattered

Honestly, it wasn’t just about the sandwich. It was about all of us being in the kitchen together, laughing, making a mess, and reminiscing about our time in Italy. Cooking this meal felt like hitting pause on the chaos of senior year. For a second, it wasn’t about what was next. It was just about right now. This is the kind of night I’ll remember when we’ve all moved into our next chapter, carefree, full of flavor, and just a little bit messy, like the best memories always are. If you’ve ever studied abroad or had a favorite food that ties to a moment, do yourself a favor and recreate it. Turn up the music and invite your friends!