This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
These chicken sandwich melts are scrumptious and they are an easy company-ready dish that takes minutes to put together. They will win over a crowd every time! The first time I tried them (shamelessly eating 3 sandwiches), I was scribbling down the recipe before I finished chewing.
I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are great for unexpected visitors or even expected ones. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen for your friends and family to love what you cook.
This spread is loaded with cheesy chicken and tomatoes and is seasoned to perfection! (P.S. Make sure to check out the easy recipe for Johnny’s Seasoning in the post below). You have to try this recipe! I made them as soon as I could get to the grocery store and brought them to my Mom’s house and it was obvious after 5 minutes that I should have made more!
Every time we visit our family in the Seattle, WA area, we come home with loads of inspiration and new recipes. The gals in my family are amazing cooks! They have graciously contributed loads of recipes to this blog and I’m so thankful for that.
This recipe comes from my beautiful friend/Cousin’s wife, Alla – there should be an easier term for “cousin’s wife.” For the sake of simplicity, I’ll call her my friend, nah we’re more like sisters. 😉 Other great recipes from Alla include:
Grilled Moroccan Veggie Skewers:
Talk about a Mediterranean experience! Thank you Alla for sharing your recipes with all of us. You’re welcome to visit us in Idaho anytime! 🙂
Ingredients for Alla’s Easy Chicken Sandwiches:
1 loaf good Bread, sliced
2 cans (12.5 oz each) chicken breast in water, well drained
3/4 cup real mayo, or to taste
*Johnny’s seasoning, to taste (see recipe for making your own seasoning below)
1 large tomato, diced
1/3 bunch Cilantro
6 oz mild cheddar cheese, finely shredded inside or a slice of cheese on top.
Sriracha hot chili sauce to taste, or your favorite hot sauce (optional)
*You can make your own Johnny’s seasoning easily:
(NOTE: Do not use this entire batch of seasoning for this recipe – add it to taste)
1 ½ Tbsp sea salt
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
How to Make Easy Chicken Sandwich Melts:
1. Drain canned chicken and transfer to a large mixing bowl and break it up lightly with a fork.
2. Stir in 3/4 cup mayo or to taste along with Johnny’s seasoning to taste (I used a little more than 1/4 tsp seasoning).
3. Add diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
4. Add Sriracha hot sauce to taste. The Sriracha hot sauce gives it a nice kick and it’s so good, but if you want it to be kid friendly, you can divide the mixture and only put it into half of the spread
5. Spread generously over good sliced bread (this one’s from Costco) and bake uncovered on a cookie sheet at 350˚F for 8 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and fresh tomatoes if desired
I hope these pictures did this sandwich justice. I really, really want you to try them and be sure to report back and let me know how much you loved them.
Easy Chicken Sandwich Melts
Ingredients
Ingredients for Sandwiches:
- 1 loaf good Bread
- 2 cans, 12.5 oz each chicken breast in water, well drained
- 3/4 cup real mayo, or to taste
- *Johnny’s seasoning, to taste (see recipe for making your own seasoning below)
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1/3 bunch Cilantro
- 6 oz mild cheddar cheese, finely shredded inside or a slice of cheese on top.
- Sriracha hot chili sauce to taste, or your favorite hot sauce (optional)
*You can make your own Johnny's seasoning easily:
- 1 ½ Tbsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Drain canned chicken well and transfer to a large mixing bowl, then break it up lightly with a fork.
- Stir in 3/4 cup mayo or to taste along with Johnny's seasoning to taste (I used a little more than 1/4 tsp seasoning).
- Add diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
- Add Sriracha hot sauce to taste. The Sriracha hot sauce gives it a nice kick and it's so good, but if you want it to be kid friendly, you can divide the mixture and only put it into half of the spread.
- Spread generously over good sliced bread (this one's from Costco) and bake uncovered on a cookie sheet at 350˚F for 8 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and fresh tomatoes if desired.
Notes
Credits:
Johnny’s Seasoning Recipe from here.
This is a great recipe I made it and man it’s great for lunch or dinner 🤤 😋
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
Question?…. would you suggest draining the tomatoes once they’re chopped? This is the 2nd time I’m making this recipe in 10 days! I needed an easy dinner after a procedure I’m having & this was loved by all! My husband said, “Winner, Winner chicken dinner”. 😋😍.
Hi Nancy, if they are extremely juicy, you can, but we mix it all in, and it works out. I’m so glad you both enjoyed this recipe.
Scrumptious!!! Quick & easy. I used Monterey Jack ( plus extra) I’m a cheese lover and put on sourdough. Thanks for sharing all your delious recipes
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing that with us, Nancy, and for giving the recipe a great review.
You are a joy to watch. You make cooking fun. Love you recipes. Would love for you to cook Paella. Thanks
You’re so nice! Thank you for that suggestion, Carmen! I’m happy you’re enjoying our recipes.
Hi Natasha! Does this make enough for a whole loaf (~1lb) of bread?
Hi, yes I used most of the loaf photographed above.
Thank you for sharing this recipe Natasha! I love how easy it was and I finally got to use the canned chicken I had sitting in my pantry. These were so good and great for reheating for lunch during the work week.
Isn’t it the best! Thank you for sharing that lovely review with me Jane!
==> Prickly Flower Eliminates Food Cravings & Burns Away Fat
Thank you for sharing that Leana.
Hi Natasha,
I recently purchased canned chicken from Costco that was on sale and wasn’t sure how to use it…until now this looks delicious! How well do you think sliced whole grain bread would work? Trying to eat healthier.
Hi Joey, I bet that would work! I hope you love this recipe.
Hi Joey, I also highly suggest Chicken Enchiladas…also Quesadillas… very easy and delicious with canned chicken breast! And of course chicken salad. I’m sure Natasha has great and easy recipes for all!
Hi Jane, thank you for that wonderful review! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
These are sooooo good! Everyone loved the sandwiches!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Delicious! I added a bit more of the Johnny spice. I’m one of those few weirdos who avoids cilantro at all costs (Blech). Instead, I added finely chopped red onion with Frank’s and it was divine. The kids devoured it with homade tomato soup. Keep these great recipes coming!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Hi Natasha,
Would boiling chicken breasts instead of using canned yield the same result?
Hi Mary, the texture will be slightly different but should still work well, just be careful not to overcook the chicken breast meat or it might be chewy.
What a great idea, the cilantro and chopped tomato take it over the top! I actually like thls sandwich better than tuna melts. I’ve made them several times and added a bit of celery for crunch. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re so welcome! Thank you for the wonderful review! 🙂
What a great chicken sandwich! I put it on a plain bagel and it was yummy!
I’m so happy you liked that!!
These are a perfect way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken! 😋
We made half with mushrooms and those were delicious as well. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
DEE-LISH-US!! I had to use Monterey Jack as I had no cheddar left. I’m a native Seattleite, so I thank your sister/cousin/best friend for coming up with such a winner recipe. Thank you so much! xoxo
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Laverne! Thanks for the great review.
Hi, just a quick question, did you use mature cheddar?
Hi SZA, no, it was just a regular mild cheddar cheese as seen in the photo. Any brand would work 🙂
Delicious, so easy to make, my husband loved it! A hit for sure! Thanks Natasha! 👌🏼👏🏼😋
You’re welcome Yas! I’m glad you both enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review!
Just delicious. Added half a jalapeño, finely chopped. Total Yumzers.
Thank you the great review, I’m glad you liked it 😬
I was wondering should I bake this at home and bring it to a gathering and reheat them there. Or will they be fine to eat cold?
Hi Lisa, I think these are best eaten soon after they come out of the oven but we have served and enjoyed them at room temperature.
The best sandwich I have ever made!
Just wondering, can i add boiled egg, instead of the tomato? Just for a little change.
Hi Nis, I do like the tomato here because it adds flavor and juiciness to the spread, but you could change it up and try eggs if you prefer to make it more of a toasted chicken and egg spread 🙂