Everyone loves chicken and my Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich is perfect for your next get-together or family barbecue. I promise you’re going to love this chicken sandwich!
When it comes to grilling chicken don’t be that guy that just throws the pieces on the grill and slathers on barbecue sauce.
There is so much more you can do to enhance the flavor of the foods you grill and chicken is actually the easiest and most flavor-friendly food you’ll be grilling for your friends and family.
What ingredients do I need to make an ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich?
The first step in creating this delicious sandwich is marinating the chicken breasts for the sandwich. And I always start by gathering the ingredients together before I start.
In chef speak this is called the Mise en Place and it not only makes the cooking process easier it also ensures you have everything you need before you start cooking.
How do I make a honey balsamic sauce?
Start by making the Honey Balsamic Sauce. This is the first step in creating the marinade for the chicken.
You’ll love the flavor of the sauce, made with olive oil, tomato paste, honey and other delicious ingredients.
How do I marinate the chicken breasts?
Once the sauce is complete we can add it along with the other ingredients and the chicken breasts into a zippered storage bag and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
How long do I really have to marinate the chicken breasts?
In truth, 30 minutes is enough to get some of the flavors into the chicken. Ideally, I would give it 4 hours if I had the time, but I usually end up with 90 minutes at best.
There is some flexibility with the marinade (with chicken) and you can leave it for up to 8 hours. I would not advise any longer, because the acidity of this marinade can actually make the chicken tougher if it goes too long.
Does this Marinade work on other chicken parts?
Yes, it does. You can use thighs for your sandwiches, and also do some separate pieces of chicken (legs, wings, quarters) for your picky eaters.
Can I change up the ingredients in the Honey Balsamic Sauce?
Yes, you can. The whole idea with cooking is to use ingredients to create flavor profiles that you and your family will enjoy eating. Some of the changes you can make are:
- Use ketchup or your favorite barbecue sauce instead of tomato paste
- Add bourbon for a boost of flavor
- Use brown sugar or agave instead of honey
- Use soy sauce instead of balsamic vinegar
- Use ginger and scallions instead of onions
- Use your favorite seasonings. Add Chili powder or Siracha if you like heat
Use the recipe as a guideline and create the deliciousness you’ll love with your changes.
How do I put together the Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich?
These are the ingredients to make our Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Once the chicken is ready it’s time to fire up the grill and precook the bacon.
How do I grill the chicken?
The key to good grill marks is getting the grill good and hot. I like to let the grill get up to 350 – 450 degree F.
Brush the chicken breast on both sides with the honey balsamic sauce. Repeat as you turn the breasts until you’ve used up all the sauce.
Once the chicken is done you can let it rest for a few minutes while you get the sandwiches ready.
Place the chicken breasts on a tray and top with tomato slices, bacon and cheddar cheese. Place the tray back on the grill and close the lid.
**You can use indirect heat to melt the cheddar, it doesn’t have to be placed right on the grill.
The only thing left to do is put the finished product on a bun and enjoy your chicken sandwich! And If you want to make the sandwich extra special use a brioche bun.
If you’ve got someone watching their carbs, serve up this deliciousness on a bed of spinach or romaine.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, you can. You can roast the chicken breast on a baking sheet in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached.
You can also use a grill pan or saute pan on the stove. Or use an airfryer.
That’s easy. Use your favorite cheese or a combination of your favorite cheese. It’s your sandwich so make it as you like it.
In truth, 30 minutes is enough to get some of the flavors into the chicken. Ideally, I would give it 4 hours if I had the time, but I usually end up with 90 minutes at best.
Chuck
I’ve been cooking for some friends once a week for the last year. Everyone in the group thought is was great and two people in the group said it was the best meal I ever made for them. I was really surprised since I’ve made some very good meals as well as complex meals.
As I always do with chicken breasts, I brined the chicken breasts and hammered them to a consistent thickness. I’m not sure if these steps were necessary, but the end result was very well received.
This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Chef Dennis Littley
brining and pounding the chicken is a great way to improve chicken! Thanks for the comment and great review!
Tamara Valdiserri
So I actually MADE this recipe. It was delicious for those of you, like myself, that are looking for an actual review on how the food tasted. Thank you for a recipe the whole family will enjoy.