By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 19, 2023
This is the best Grilled Chicken Sandwich ever, perfect for summertime! Chicken breast is marinated and grilled for juicy delicious flavor, then layered up with thick slices of bacon, grilled red onion, provolone cheese, and a tangy homemade sauce. One bite of these chicken sandwiches will have you hooked!
What’s in this Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe?
Juicy marinated grilled chicken is slathered in a creamy, tangy sauce and topped with gooey cheese, onions, and bacon on a buttery brioche bun.
- Chicken: I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts but thighs also work.
- Olive Oil: Forms the base of the marinade for the chicken and helps it cook without sticking to the grill.
- Lemon Juice: Adds acidity to the marinade.
- Garlic: Adds earthy flavor and a pungent aroma to the marinade.
- Spices: Kosher salt, dried thyme, and ground black pepper enhance the chicken’s natural flavor.
- Mayonnaise : Makes the sauce rich and creamy.
- Barbecue Sauce : Adds delicious sweet, smoky, tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds spicy tanginess to the sauce.
- Cheese: I like Provolone, but use your favorite cheese!
- Red Onion : Grilling these red onions adds a punchy, slightly sweet flavor.
- Buns: I like rich and buttery brioche buns, or homemade sandwich buns , but use your favorite!
- Lettuce: Crunchy romaine or green leaf lettuce works well.
- Bacon : I love adding cooked bacon to my sandwiches for a burst of salty, sweet, umami flavor.
Pro Tip: Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours, for the best taste.
Variations on Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
You can change up the flavor of a grilled chicken sandwich by changing the spices for the chicken (try chicken seasoning , Creole seasoning , blackened seasoning , Italian seasoning , or herbs de Provence ). You can also use a different sauce, like Chick Fil A sauce , Buffalo sauce , sweet and sour sauce , honey mustard , bang bang sauce , or pesto .
Yes and no. Grilled chicken sandwiches are much healthier than fried chicken sandwiches , but this recipe is still pretty high in calories because of some of the toppings. But you can skip the cheese, bacon, switch out the sauce, etc. to make them lighter if you prefer.
These sandwiches are 792 calories each.
I personally prefer to use chicken breasts, but you can absolutely use thighs if you prefer.
No, but it really does improve the flavor and texture of the chicken. Even just 30 minutes of marinating time makes a difference!
Yes, you can. Place the breasts on a baking sheet and bake in a 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until 165°F internally. You can also cook these chicken breasts on the stovetop in a grill pan or cast iron pan.
How to Store and Reheat
I recommend storing the grilled chicken and other sandwich components separately so that they don’t get soggy. You can store the chicken breast for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the microwave n 30-second increments until warmed through before assembling the sandwiches fresh.
How to Freeze
Freeze the grilled chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and assembling the sandwiches.
Serving Suggestions
This is such a great recipe for summer grilling , and pairs well with lots of cookout side dishes . Serve these hearty grilled chicken sandwiches with a side of coleslaw , potato salad , or macaroni salad . Some french fries or potato wedges and grilled corn on the cob would pair perfectly!
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Grilled Chicken
- ▢ 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ▢ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- ▢ ½ cup mayonnaise
- ▢ ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For the Sandwiches
- ▢ 8 slices provolone cheese
- ▢ 1 red onion cut into rings
- ▢ 4 brioche buns
- ▢ 4 pieces lettuce
- ▢ 4 slices cooked bacon halved
Video
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and slice each breast into two thinner cutlets. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, thyme, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
- In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard together. Refrigerate until ready to use. ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup barbecue sauce, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill with oil.
- Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of cheese to each piece of chicken. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted. Remove from the grill and set aside. 8 slices provolone cheese
- Brush the grill with more oil and grill the onion rings until grill marks appear and the onions are cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. 1 red onion
- Assemble the sandwiches: spread each side of the bun with the sauce. Top with lettuce, grilled chicken, bacon and grilled onions. Serve immediately. 4 brioche buns, 4 pieces lettuce, 4 slices cooked bacon
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Becky’s Tips
- If you are short on time, you can skip the marinade time.
- Cheddar or Havarti can be substituted for the provolone cheese.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Chicken Sandwich Recipes We Love
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Teriyaki Chicken Sub
- Stuffed Chicken Caprese Sandwich
- Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Sandwich
- Rotel Dip Chicken Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Ingredients
For the Grilled Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For the Sandwiches
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 1 red onion cut into rings
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 pieces lettuce
- 4 slices cooked bacon halved
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and slice each breast into two thinner cutlets. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, thyme, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
- In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard together. Refrigerate until ready to use. ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup barbecue sauce, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill with oil.
- Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of cheese to each piece of chicken. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted. Remove from the grill and set aside. 8 slices provolone cheese
- Brush the grill with more oil and grill the onion rings until grill marks appear and the onions are cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. 1 red onion
- Assemble the sandwiches: spread each side of the bun with the sauce. Top with lettuce, grilled chicken, bacon and grilled onions. Serve immediately. 4 brioche buns, 4 pieces lettuce, 4 slices cooked bacon
Video
Notes
- If you are short on time, you can skip the marinade time.
- Cheddar or Havarti can be substituted for the provolone cheese.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
