The Chick-Fil-A grilled chicken sandwich doesn’t have anything on our homemade Grilled Chicken Sandwich, complete with fresh summer ingredients, perfectly cooked chicken, and the most flavorful bites. An amazing sandwich for the summer months ahead.
The Best Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Ditch the fast-food versions of this summer classic and enjoy our grilled chicken sandwich recipe, which has the perfect flavor combination of marinated chicken, bright pesto aioli, zesty red onions, and creamy avocado. Make it a meal and serve it with some summer classics like grilled vegetables or homemade baked French fries, all rounded out with some strawberry rhubarb crisp for dessert.
Looking for More Summer Sandwiches?
If you love them as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Caprese Sandwich!
What You Will Need
- chicken breasts – Select small to medium sized chicken breasts as these fit better on the sandwich bun.
- olive oil – Avocado oil will work well too.
- lemon juice & lemon zest – Helps to lighten and brighten this recipe.
- soy sauce – Adds a rich umami flavor to the chicken.
- worcestershire sauce – Sour, mildly sweet, and a tad spicy, this ingredient adds the most unique flavor.
- garlic – Adds a bit of heat and earthiness.
- kosher salt & ground black pepper – Just a bit to heighten the other flavors.
- American cheese – A mild, yet creamy cheese, perfect for melting on top of a tasty chicken breast.
- focaccia buns – The perfect savory bun for this classic sandwich.
- arugula – Adds distinct and fresh pepper and lemon flavors.
- avocado – The creaminess pairs perfectly with the more robust flavors throughout.
- quick pickled onions – Such an easy way to elevate any sandwich recipe!
- pesto – This is basically summer in a jar; basil, parmesan, and lemon add a burst of flavor.
- mayo – A simple ingredient that adds creaminess and subtle flavors of mustard, salt, and vinegar. Try making our homemade mayo!
How To Make A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Start by mixing together the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Next, place the chicken breasts in a glass container or silicone bag and cover them with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, covered, or overnight in the refrigerator.
While the chicken is marinating, place all of the pesto aioli ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine. Once it’s a consistent color and texture, cover the bowl and place it into the fridge until it’s time to assemble the sandwich. If you’re thinking about skipping pickled onions, please, please don’t.
After the chicken has marinated, heat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat (approximately 450°F). Then carefully place the marinated chicken breasts on direct heat and cook them for about 3-5 minutes per side. Move the chicken to indirect heat, so that they continue to cook for 3-5 minutes. Once an instant-read thermometer reads 157°F, add a slice of cheese on top of each chicken breast and close the grill to allow the cheese to melt.
Remove the cheese topped chicken breasts from the grill when they reach 160°F and let them rest on a clean plate for about 5 minutes, which allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Now you get to assemble your sandwiches! Place the bottom bun on a clean plate followed by some arugula, a healthy amount of pesto aioli, the grilled chicken, avocado slices, and pickled onions. Lastly, slather a bit more pesto aioli on the cut side of the top bun, place it on top of your masterpiece, and enjoy!
Pro Tip
For the ultimate sandwich experience, toast your buns by lightly buttering them and place them on the grill cut side down for a minute or two.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Topping Ideas
Let your tastebuds be your guide as you put your own personal touch on this grilled sandwich. Here are a few other topping ideas and variations to get your creative juices flowing.
- crisp bacon – An excellent choice for any sandwich.
- tomato slices – Adds a fresh, summery flavor.
- bun varieties – You could also use classic hamburger buns, french bread slices, or brioche buns depending on your preference.
- iceberg lettuce – Adds a crisp, fresh bite.
- melty provolone cheese – For those who like sharper cheeses.
- cheddar cheese – A hard cheese with similar flavors to American cheese.
- hot sauce – For those who like some heat.
- potato chips – An unexpected but delicious topping that adds a nice crunch to each bite.
Recipe FAQs
- gluten-free: Use a gluten-free bun variety.
- dairy-free: Use dairy-free pesto in your pesto aioli and a dairy-free version of American cheese.
- grill time: The grill time is slightly less than what it would be for a typical chicken breast as we’re using smaller breasts to fit nicely on our sandwich buns.
- storage: We don’t suggest keeping leftover sandwiches as they’ll become soggy if stored assembled. If you have leftover chicken breasts, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
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Other Sandwich Recipes You Might Like
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
The ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe with pesto aioli, pickled onions, cheese and avocado – perfect for any time of the year!
Ingredients
Chicken Sandwich:
- 4 small/medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos)
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, minced
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 focaccia buns
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 avocado, sliced
- quick pickled onions
Pesto Aioli:
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons pesto (store-bought or homemade pesto)
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Marinade Chicken: Place chicken breasts in reusable silicone bag or glass container. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, garlic, kosher salt, pepper and lemon zest. Pour marinade over the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes (or overnight).
- Prep Pesto Aioli + Quick-Pickled Onions: In a small bowl combine the Pesto Aioli ingredients. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready. Prep the quick pickled onions and set aside until ready-to-use.
- Grill Chicken: Heat grill to medium-high heat (approximately 450 degrees F). Place chicken on direct heat (direct flame) and cook for 3-5 minutes per side. Move chicken away from the direct heat (direct flame) so that it is cooking on indirect heat (maintaining the same grill temp) and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes (you don’t need to flip at this point because the chicken will cook as if it is in an oven) or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reads 157 degrees F. on your meat thermometer.
- Cheese + Rest: Add the cheese slices and close grill again to allow cheese to melt. Remove from grill when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. and let rest at least 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute (the chicken will continue to cook during this time and the internal temp will continue to rise 5 additional degrees).
- Assemble Sandwiches: Feel free to toast the focaccia buns (lightly butter and then grill them cut side down for a minute or two) – then place bottom bun on a plate followed by some arugula, a healthy amount of Pesto Aioli, grilled chicken, avocado slices, pickled onions and then add some more Pesto Aioli to the cut-side of the top bun and place on top. Cut in half and enjoy!
Notes
- Gluten-Free: simply use a gluten-free bun.
- Dairy-Free: use a dairy-free pesto in your Pesto Aioli and a dairy-free version of American cheese.
- Grill Time: we are purposely trying to use smaller chicken breasts here so they fit on the buns a bit better and you aren’t eating 90% chicken with every bite of sandwich, so the cook time is a bit less here than your typical chicken breast. Just use an internal meat thermometer to keep track of the temp!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 712
- Sugar: 6.6 g
- Sodium: 2104.5 mg
- Fat: 46.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 53.5 g
- Protein: 23.4 g
- Cholesterol: 37.2 mg
Bridget Montag says
So easy and so yummy! That pesto aioli is delicious!
Caryn Cook says
Our family loved these chicken sandwiches. These are going into our rotation.Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Erin says
Thanks, Caryn! So glad you enjoyed this one!
Vickie Osborne says
So flavorful and the pesto aioli was delicious!!! We will make this again!!
Erin says
That is awesome to hear, Vickie!