A Chicken Cheesesteak is a delicious and often lighter alternative to the traditional beef cheesesteak. It is made with thinly sliced pieces of seasoned chicken breasts, or even chicken thighs, instead of the classic beef. Chicken offers a quicker and easier cooking process compared to thinly sliced beef, making it a convenient choice for a satisfying meal. A versatile sandwich, a chicken cheesesteak can be customized with various toppings such as sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to create a delightful “Pizza Steak” sandwich.

To craft an authentic and delicious Chicken Philly Sandwich, planning your ingredients is key. We highly recommend starting by making our Copycat Subway Bread Recipe ahead of time. However, if you’re short on time, readily available store-bought Amoroso rolls or hoagie rolls make excellent substitutes for the long footlongs.

• Meat: The star of the show! Thinly sliced chicken breasts or chicken thighs (which offer a richer flavor) can be quickly sliced and fried for this Chicken Philly recipe.
• Bread: The foundation of any great sub, you’ll want a long, soft bread roll similar to a footlong or hoagie roll to hold all that delicious filling.
• Cheese: Essential for that signature “cheesesteak” gooeyness. A chicken cheesesteak truly shines with slices of white American cheese, Provolone, or Monterey Jack Cheese. The key is to use a good melting cheese, especially since the sub will be toasted to perfection.
• Add-ins: For classic flavor, we include sautéed onions and peppers. For freshness and crunch, we add crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes after the sandwiches have been toasted.
• Sauces: A simple dressing like creamy mayonnaise is always a winner. However, for an extra layer of flavor and a gentle kick, we highly recommend our Chipotle Southwest Sauce. Don’t forget that Ketchup is also a classic and well-loved condiment to add to any Philly cheesesteak!

Making a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak at home is simpler than you might think. Follow these clear steps for a delicious result:

1. Thinly slice the chicken breasts or thighs, then toss them generously in your chosen spices and dressings. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and absorb flavors.
2. While the chicken marinates, prepare your vegetables by thinly slicing the bell peppers and onions. Set them aside for later.
3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat with about 2 Tablespoons of oil. Add the sliced peppers and onions, searing them for 30-60 seconds over high heat to achieve a delicious char and tender-crisp texture. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add 3-4 Tablespoons of fresh oil. Introduce the marinated chicken with its marinade to the hot skillet. Sauté over high heat, stirring frequently, until the chicken is beautifully browned and a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Carefully slice each sub roll length-wise, without cutting all the way through, creating a hinge. Lay halved provolone slices across the top half of the bread. Then, generously top the cheese with the fried chicken pieces and the sautéed peppers and onions.
6. Place the open-faced sandwiches onto a baking sheet. Broil them on the bottom rack of the oven for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the cheese is wonderfully melted and bubbly.
7. Remove the sandwiches from the oven. Finish by topping with fresh, crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes. Finally, drizzle your preferred sauces, such as mayonnaise and Southwest Chipotle sauce, over each sandwich.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Chicken Philly Cheesesteak!

The secret to an exceptional Philly Cheesesteak, whether chicken or beef, lies in the thinly sliced meat. Thin slices ensure that every bite is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, avoiding the unpleasant experience of chewing on thick, tough chunks. Achieving perfectly thin slices at home is easier than you think with a simple trick: flash freeze your chicken meat until it’s firm but not rock-solid. This typically takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts or thighs. The slight freezing makes the meat much easier to slice precisely.

For ultimate thinness, we highly recommend using a mandoline slicer, which can create almost paper-thin shavings – a truly superior result compared to a knife for this specific task. However, if you have a freshly sharpened knife or a high-quality new knife set, you can certainly achieve excellent thin slices. A boning knife, with its thin and flexible blade, is particularly effective for this purpose, allowing for greater control and precision.

While a classic Chicken Philly is fantastic, part of its charm is how easily it can be customized with various toppings to create unique flavor experiences. Here are some popular ideas:

• To make a traditional Beef Cheesesteak, simply swap the chicken for thinly sliced beef.
• For a savory twist, sauté fresh mushrooms and add them to create a delightful Mushroom Cheesesteak.
• Love a bit of heat or sweetness? Top your sandwich with seared sweet bell peppers, tangy banana peppers, or fiery hot peppers to craft a flavorful Pepper Cheesesteak.
• Transform your sub into a Pizza Steak by adding a layer of rich Marinara Sauce and melting gooey Mozzarella Cheese.
• For a truly authentic take on a classic, make a Cheesesteak Hoagie by using creamy Cheez Whiz and sweet caramelized onions, much like our delicious Cheddar Philly Cheesesteak.

Achieving that perfect golden-brown, cheesy, toasted footlong sandwich requires an oven – even commercial sub shops like Subway use specialized ovens for this purpose. Here’s how to get that irresistible melty goodness at home:

• Preheat your oven to a high broil setting.
• Line a large baking sheet with silicone mats or parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
• Assemble your sandwiches: start by layering slices of cheese onto your bread, followed by the seasoned and fried chicken pieces. Then, add in the sautéed peppers and onions.
• Carefully place the assembled open-faced sandwiches onto the lined baking sheets. Position the baking sheet on the bottom rack of your oven.
• Broil for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds, or just until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly and the bread is lightly toasted. Keep a close eye on it, as broilers can vary and burn quickly.
• Once toasted to your liking, remove the sandwiches from the oven and immediately top with your favorite fresh veggies and sauces.

Absolutely! The marinated chicken pieces are perfectly suited for a slow cooker. This method allows the chicken to cook low and slow for hours, resulting in incredibly tender, flavorful meat without any oil splatters, and it serves as an excellent make-ahead option for dinner or meal prep.

How to make slow-cooker chicken cheesesteaks:

1. Begin by seasoning your chicken breasts generously with your chosen spices and salad dressings.
2. Place the seasoned chicken into your crockpot and set it to cook on low for approximately 5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The longer, slower cooking time ensures maximum tenderness.
3. Once cooked, use a fork to easily shred the tender chicken. From there, you can proceed with the remaining steps of the recipe, assembling your delicious sandwiches.

Cook’s Tip: For the best flavor absorption and to minimize shredding effort later, thinly slice the chicken breasts before placing them in the crockpot to cook. In the meantime, prep all your vegetables so you can easily and quickly assemble the sandwiches once the chicken is perfectly cooked and ready.

Our Chicken Philly Sandwich Recipe is already bursting with savory flavors, especially when made with seasoned herb and cheese bread. While grilled onions and peppers are wonderfully sufficient, the beauty of this sandwich lies in its adaptability. The variety of veggies or sauces you can add is truly vast. Here are some fantastic and tasty ways to load up your chicken sandwich:

• Crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes
• Tangy banana peppers for a little zest
• Briny olives for a Mediterranean touch
• Crunchy dill pickles for a classic deli flavor
• Earthy sautéed mushrooms, cooked until golden
• Cool and refreshing cucumbers
• A simple sprinkle of extra salt and pepper
• A fiery kick with Buffalo sauce
• Crispy bacon slices for ultimate indulgence
• A light drizzle of olive oil and vinegar for a fresh finish
• Creamy ranch dressing for a comforting flavor profile

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Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

Equipment

• 18×13 baking sheet
• Large Skillet

Ingredients

Instructions