This smoky grilled chicken sandwich is a delightful combination of tender marinated chicken, melted cheddar cheese, creamy avocado, fresh tomato, red onion, and crisp spring mix lettuce. All of this is generously drizzled with a smoky chipotle ranch dressing and served between toasted brioche buns. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures for a delicious, satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This grilled chicken sandwich is the ultimate comfort food with a smoky twist. The marinated chicken provides juicy, flavorful bites, while the cheddar cheese adds a melty richness. The avocado brings creaminess, and the fresh vegetables give the sandwich a refreshing crunch. The smoky chipotle ranch dressing ties everything together with its zesty, bold flavor. Plus, with easy-to-find ingredients and a straightforward preparation process, this recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon garlic herb seasoning

For the Sandwiches:

4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
4 slices cheddar cheese
1 avocado, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
2 cups spring mix lettuce
4 brioche buns

For the Mustard Aioli:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons coarse grain mustard

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
3 teaspoons adobo sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and garlic herb seasoning. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Mustard Aioli: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and coarse grain mustard until well combined.
Prepare the Chipotle Ranch Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, green onions, adobo sauce, lime juice, onion powder, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Grill the Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for about 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. During the last minute of grilling, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each chicken breast and cover the grill to melt the cheese.
Toast the Buns: Lightly butter the brioche buns and toast them on the grill until golden brown.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread the mustard aioli on the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Place the grilled chicken with melted cheese on top. Add avocado slices, tomato slices, and red onion slices. In a bowl, toss the spring mix lettuce with the chipotle ranch dressing until lightly coated. Add the dressed greens to the sandwich and top with the other half of the bun.

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories per Serving: Approximately 590 kcal

Variations

Grilled Vegetables: Add grilled vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to the sandwich for a more colorful and hearty option.
Spicy Twist: If you like it spicy, you can add some jalapeño slices or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sandwich.
Different Cheese: Switch up the cheddar cheese for mozzarella, Swiss, or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover grilled chicken, veggies, and dressing in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat the grilled chicken in a microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. For the bun, you can toast it lightly again to regain its crispness.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of chicken?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat or even grilled chicken tenders for a quicker option.

2. Can I make the chipotle ranch dressing ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the chipotle ranch dressing up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge.

3. How long should I marinate the chicken?

For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but you can marinate it for up to 4 hours if you want a more intense flavor.

4. Can I grill the chicken indoors?

Yes, you can use a grill pan on the stovetop or even a cast-iron skillet to grill the chicken indoors.

5. How do I make the sandwich healthier?

To make the sandwich lighter, you can swap out the mayonnaise-based dressing for a lighter version, or use whole wheat buns and skip the cheese.

6. Can I use a different type of lettuce?

Yes, you can use romaine, arugula, or spinach instead of spring mix for a different flavor or texture.

7. What should I serve with this sandwich?

This grilled chicken sandwich pairs well with a side of sweet potato fries, a simple salad, or crispy potato wedges.

8. Can I use a different type of bread?

Feel free to swap the brioche buns for whole wheat buns, sourdough, or even a pita for a unique twist.

9. Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is not gluten-free due to the brioche buns. You can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free buns.

10. Can I freeze the grilled chicken?

Yes, you can freeze the grilled chicken breasts after cooking. Just store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

This grilled chicken sandwich is an easy, flavorful, and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion. With tender marinated chicken, melted cheese, creamy avocado, fresh vegetables, and zesty chipotle ranch dressing, it’s sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation. Enjoy it on a weeknight for dinner or at a weekend barbecue with friends and family!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

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Author: Paula
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

This Grilled Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate smoky delight, combining marinated chicken, melted cheddar cheese, creamy avocado, fresh tomato, red onion, and spring mix tossed in a smoky chipotle ranch dressing. All of these flavors are packed between toasted brioche buns for a truly satisfying meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue, this sandwich is loaded with flavor and texture. A must-try for grilled chicken lovers!

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and garlic herb seasoning. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Mustard Aioli:
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and coarse grain mustard until well combined.
Prepare the Chipotle Ranch Dressing:
- In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, green onions, adobo sauce, lime juice, onion powder, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for about 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. During the last minute of grilling, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each chicken breast and cover the grill to melt the cheese.
Toast the Buns:
- Lightly butter the brioche buns and toast them on the grill until golden brown.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Spread the mustard aioli on the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Place the grilled chicken with melted cheese on top. Add avocado slices, tomato slices, and red onion slices. In a bowl, toss the spring mix lettuce with the chipotle ranch dressing until lightly coated. Add the dressed greens to the sandwich and top with the other half of the bun.

Notes

The chicken breasts can be marinated for up to 4 hours for even more flavor.

If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the amount of adobo sauce in the chipotle ranch dressing.

For extra crunch, try adding pickles to the sandwich.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Sandwiches
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: Approximately 590 kcal per serving

The BEST Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe