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    Home » Recipes » Sandwich Recipes

    Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich

    Published: May 14, 2020 · Modified: Jun 29, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

    5.8K shares
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    • Yummly
    4.91 from 94 votes
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    pinterest image for grilled chicken sandwich

    Everyone loves my Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and it proves it doesn’t have to be fried chicken! Tender marinated chicken breast grilled to perfection, topped with garden-fresh tomato slices, crispy bacon, and aged cheddar cheese. It’s the Best Chicken Sandwich Recipe you’ll ever try.

    grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and tomato on a seeded bun with two more sandwiches in the background

    It’s 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. Aim higher and wow your guests.

    three grilled chicken sandwiches on a white plate

    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. My Grilled Chicken Sandwich is a delicious example.

    Ingredients to marinate chicken breasts

    ingredients to marinate chicken breasts

    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.

    The marinating ingredients are pretty simple and I give you ideas further down the post on how to change up to suit your tastes.

    How do I marinate chicken breasts?

    chicken breasts marinating in a ziplock bag

    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.

    Trust me , marinating the chicken make this grilled chicken sandwich amazingly delicious.

    Does this Marinade work on other chicken parts?

    Yes, it does. You can use thighs for your grilled chicken sandwich. The marinade also works well on chicken parts (legs, wings, quarters). It’s a great sauce anytime you grill chicken.

    How do I make a honey balsamic sauce?

    2 pots side by side, one with the onions and garlic and other ingredients and one with the sauce complete

    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.

    Can I change up the ingredients in the Honey Balsamic Sauce?

    Yes, you can. The whole idea of 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 to assemble Grilled Chicken Sandwich

    ingredients to make the sandwich

    These are the ingredients to make the Best Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe. Once the chicken is ready it’s time to fire up the grill and precook the bacon.

    How do I grill the chicken?

    chicken breasts cooking on grill with grill marks on 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.

    4 grilled barbecued chicken breasts with grill marks on a white platter

    Once the chicken is done you can let it rest for a few minutes while you get the sandwiches ready.

    4 grilled chicken breasts topped with tomato, bacon and melted cheddar cheese

    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.

    2 grilled chicken sandwiches on a white platte with a package of cabot seriously sharp cheese behind them

    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 grilled chicken sandwich extra special use a brioche bun and a few slices of red onion.

    finished grilled chicken on bed of spinach on a white plate

    If you’ve got someone watching their carbs, serve up this deliciousness on a bed of spinach, romaine or lettuce leaves.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I cook the chicken breast in the oven?

    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.

    What kind of cheese can I use on my grilled chicken sandwich?

    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. Other great choices are provolone, mozzarella, Swiss cheese or plain old American cheese.

    How long do I have to marinate the chicken breast?

    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.

    More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love!

    • All-American Hot Dog Bar
    • Blackened Salmon Sliders with an Asian Slaw
    • Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
    • Easy Shrimp Salad Recipe

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    grilled chicken sandwich
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    4.91 from 94 votes

    The Best Grilled Chicken Sandwich

    When it's time to grill up deliciousness for your friends and family, my Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich should be at the top of your must cook list! I also share my ideas on how to change up the recipe to make it fit your tastes.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    marinate2 hrs
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: sandwich
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 680kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts 4 ounce each
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika **regular paprika can be substituted

    Honey Balsamic Sauce:

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons sweet onion finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon garlic finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons honey **brown sugar can be substituted
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste ** ketchup can be substituted
    • 2 tablespoons bourbon **optional – I did not use this in my recipe, but it could add another dimension to the flavor

    Sandwich

    • 4 ounces Sharp Cheddar shredded
    • 8 slices bacon cooked and drained
    • 4 slices tomato or 8 smaller slices
    • 4 seeded hamburger buns or your favorite hamburger bun
    US Customary – Metric
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    Instructions

    • Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a hot pan along with the chopped sweet onion and chopped garlic. Saute for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, do not burn the garlic and onions.
    • Add the balsamic, tomato paste and honey to the pan. Bring to a light boil and remove from the heat. At this point add 1-2 tablespoons of water to thin out the mixture.
    • In a ziplock bag, add chicken, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika and half of the honey balsamic sauce (reserve the rest for the grilling process). Make sure the chicken is completely coated in the seasonings. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to develop in the raw chicken.
    • cook bacon in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Set aside till needed.
    • shred cheddar cheese. Set aside till needed.
    • slice tomatoes and set aside till needed.
    • Heat the grill to 350-450 degrees so you get good scoring marks.
    • Brush the chicken breasts with the remainder of the honey balsamic sauce and grill each side about 3-4 minutes(or it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).

    Building the Sandwich

    • Place the grilled chicken breast on a sheet pan and top each breast with a large slice of tomato (or two small slices), 2 slices of bacon and one ounce of shredded cheddar.
    • Place the pan on the grill and close the lid to allow the cheddar to melt.
      **You can also melt the cheddar in your oven under the broiler.
    • Place the finished topped chicken breasts on your choice of buns and enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 680kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 1170mg | Potassium: 743mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 804IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 293mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Clatragna

      June 23, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      Does it matter how long you marinate it? Like over night?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        June 23, 2021 at 3:37 pm

        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.

        Reply
    2. Eric

      February 07, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      This was quite possibly THE BEST chicken sandwich I have ever eaten…I did use pepper jack cheese and added Sriracha to half of the glaze for a some spicier chicken pieces. Everything else I left as is. Seriously…. holding on to this recipe. I was so impressed with myself haha. Can’t get over how good this was.

      Reply
    3. Cristian

      January 13, 2021 at 11:31 am

      This turned out fantastic and my family loved it! They said the taste of the glaze compared to teriyaki chicken from a restaurant. Thank you for sharing, chef!

      Reply
      • Chris

        June 20, 2021 at 9:56 am

        5 stars
        This recipe was absolutely amazing. I made it at the firehouse for the guys and, it was a total hit. They are begging me to make it again!!!

        Reply
    4. Cindy

      January 02, 2021 at 7:44 pm

      4 stars
      I marinated chicken with this recipe last night. I didn’t have honey so substituted brown sugar. The flavor was very mild.

      Reply
    5. keyshia Imani

      December 24, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      Okay I’ve made this recipe multiple times this week because I was craving a good chicken sandwich. I normally go to Chick-fil-A and get the grilled chicken sandwich but this was just as good thanks so much.

      Reply
    6. Laura

      August 15, 2020 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious. This may be the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. My husband and son loved it also.

      Reply
    7. Ha

      July 28, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      It’s so delicious and easy to make. I just put it on the bun with some lettuce because that’s all I had.

      Reply
    8. Leslie

      June 25, 2020 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      A chicken sandwich is one of my go-to recipes when I’m going out to eat. You just can’t beat a restaurant style sandwich like this! Yours is perfection!

      Reply
    9. Jo

      May 25, 2020 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      It’s been a while since I ate a sandwich this delicious!

      Reply
    10. Alena

      May 25, 2020 at 7:46 am

      5 stars
      That honey balsamic sauce was such a flavorful marinade! This was a big hit with my family!

      Reply
    11. Sophie

      May 25, 2020 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      This was so delicious! I always wanted to learn a basic BLT sandwich and this is a good start. Perfect for grilling season.

      Reply
    12. Jen

      May 24, 2020 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      I like putting the tomato under the cheese. It gets just slightly warm and the juices meld with the marinade. Great!

      Reply
    13. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli

      May 24, 2020 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      Your Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich was so delicious, it’s making us hungry just thinking about it!

      Reply
    14. Denise

      May 23, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      That chicken looks AMAZING! The honey balsamic sauce is going to be a new favorite in this home for sure. Thanks for sharing a great recipe.

      Reply
    15. Sharon

      May 23, 2020 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      This grilled chicken sandwich is going to be my summer go-to meal! It was amazing!

      Reply
    16. Kay

      May 23, 2020 at 4:50 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely Fabulous, I loved everything about this sandwich!

      Reply
    17. Elaine

      May 22, 2020 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      My mouth waters when I look at this sandwich. Delicious and absolutely entertaining. Perfect recipe for this long weekend!

      Reply
    18. Jenny Graves

      May 20, 2020 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      Wonderful recipe! We love chicken sandwiches and this was one of the best. Thank you!!

      Reply
    19. Gloria

      May 18, 2020 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      I am so ready for grilling season. This looks like the perfect recipe for entertaining. We have missed LOTS of special days with this stupid pandemic. Time to get together with family….then friends.

      Reply
    20. Natalie

      May 17, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      My family loves when I make chicken sandwich. But honestly your recipe sounds and looks way better. I will definitely save this and give it a try. That marinade sounds heavenly.

      Reply
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