Description
Cheesy chicken garlic bread sandwich delivers ultimate comfort with crispy garlic bread and succulent chicken. Melted cheese and herbal notes create a delightful flavor profile you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half to make 4 thin pieces)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for toasting)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or provolone cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 slices thick-cut Italian or French bread (or sub rolls)
- ½ cup crispy bacon bits (optional, for extra flavor)
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup marinara sauce (optional, for a pizza-style twist)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Blend salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika into a robust spice mix, thoroughly massaging each chicken piece to ensure complete flavor infusion.
- Cook Chicken: Sear seasoned chicken in olive oil over medium heat until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165F, then slice into tender strips for sandwich assembly.
- Prepare Garlic Bread: Whisk melted butter with minced garlic, parsley, and garlic powder, creating a fragrant herb-infused spread to brush generously across bread slices.
- Cheese Preparation: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese atop buttered bread, then bake in a preheated 400F oven until edges crisp and cheese bubbles with golden spots.
- Sandwich Assembly: Layer sliced chicken on garlic bread, top with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, adding optional marinara sauce and crispy bacon bits for enhanced flavor.
- Final Bake and Garnish: Return assembled sandwich to oven, allowing cheeses to melt into a gooey blend, then garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley.
- Serve: Slice diagonally and present immediately with extra marinara or ranch dipping sauce for a delectable culinary experience.
Notes
- Seasoning Precision: Massage spices thoroughly into chicken for maximum flavor penetration and even coating.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165F, preventing undercooking and ensuring food safety.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Let cheese rest briefly after baking to achieve the perfect gooey, stretchy consistency without burning.
- Customization Flexibility: Swap chicken for turkey, tofu, or plant-based protein to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg