As one of the many recipes that can be made with smoked chicken breasts or chicken thighs, these smoked chicken sandwiches are a perfect summer sandwich that only takes 5 minutes to assemble once cooked and can be wrapped up and stored easily in the fridge for later. Only requiring 9 basic ingredients, this smoked chicken sandwich packs on the flavor while also providing a variety of texture.
This simple sandwich is a good sandwich to enjoy for dinner on a busy weeknight. It can also be a great lunch recipe. This chicken sandwich is great to enjoy by the pool or make ahead and pack up to take to the beach. Since the chicken is made on the smoker, it is best to make this sandwich in the spring, summer or fall when the weather is nicer.
This sandwich is also a brunch classic and is great for a Sunday morning brunch. It could also be a great sandwich to serve at baby showers or bridal showers with a brunch theme since the sandwich can be but into small pieces and the flavors pair well with other brunch items such as quiche lorraine or indulgent cinnamon rolls.
This was inspired by my mozzarella prosciutto sandwich recipe on this site, and pairs well with this homemade potato chips recipe or this truffle fries recipe.
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Ingredients
Sliced smoked chicken breast is the base of this sandwich. The chicken breast is marinaded in a milk and spice mixture overnight prior to smoking. Sourdough bread is the bread of choice due to its quality and flavor. The sandwich has lettuce and sliced tomato on it for added texture and slices of cheddar cheese to round out the flavor. Hot honey is drizzled on top of the chicken before the top slice of bread is added and dijon mustard is spread on the bottom slice of bread.
- chicken breast
- milk
- pollo asado seasoning
- dijon mustard
- lettuce
- heirloom tomato
- sharp cheddar
- hot honey
- sourdough bread
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Add chicken breast to a resealable bag or a large bowl covered with plastic wrap with milk and pollo asado seasoning. Marinade in the fridge overnight.
- Step 2: Step 2: Heat smoker to 250 degrees. Smoke chicken breast for about 3-4 hours on indirect heat or until internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees. Remove from the grill and slice.
- Step 3: Slice tomato and lettuce. Slice bread loaf in half. Remove some of the inside of the bread using your hands.
- Step 4: Spread dijon mustard on bottom slice of bread. Layer lettuce and tomato on top. Add cheddar slices. Add sliced chicken. Drizzle with hot honey. Top with top slice of bread. Serve immediately or save for later.
Hint: use an instant read thermometer or a thermometer that stays in the chicken bread to keep track of the internal temperature of the chicken breast. You want to make sure you are pulling it off of the smoker right at 165 degrees so that it does not overcook and dry out.
Substitutions
- Chicken - if you do not have a smoker or cannot find smoked chicken in a store, rotisserie chicken with a touch of smoked paprika can provide a similar smoky flavor. Shredded chicken or smoked pulled chicken can also be used instead of sliced chicken. Chicken can also be cooked on the grill
- Cheddar - use vegan cheese for a dairy free option. For a milder or creamier touch, you could swap it for gouda or Monterey Jack
- Hot Honey - if you don’t have hot honey, combine regular honey with a pinch of chili flakes or hot sauce for a similar effect
- Tomato - if tomatoes are out of season, roasted red peppers can be a great alternative
Variations
- Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich - add fried chicken and jalapenos for a spicy fried chicken variation
- Add Avocado - A few slices of creamy avocado boost richness and bring a silky texture that contrasts the smoked chicken
- Make It a Wrap - For a lighter option, wrap the ingredients in a large tortilla or flatbread instead of sandwich bread
- Extra Sauce - add ranch dressing for and extra saucy sandwich
See this Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe on my website!
Equipment
To make this smoked chicken fillet sandwich you will need a grill or smoker (optional, for homemade smoked chicken), and a sharp knife and cutting board.
If you would like to toast your sandwich, you will need a toaster oven, panini press or grill pan.
How to Store a Smoked Chicken Sandwich
Keep leftover smoked chicken in the fridge within 3-4 days in a sealed airtight container. Store sandwich components like lettuce and tomato separately to preserve freshness and avoid sogginess. Store leftover bread in a resealable bag on the counter for up to 2 days or until stale. The sandwich can remain assembled and saved for later. Simply wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and save in the fridge up to 2 days.
Some of these ingredients do stand up well to freezing. It’s best to store the components separately—freeze the smoked chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing assembled sandwiches to maintain texture.
Ways to Use Leftovers
- Chicken Salad - Dice leftover smoked chicken and toss with mayo, celery, and herbs for a smoky chicken salad perfect on its own or served in wraps.
- Quesadillas - Layer chunks of smoked chicken with cheddar in a tortilla, grill until golden and melty for a quick, flavorful snack or meal.
- Pasta Topping - Add shredded smoked chicken to pasta dishes with a drizzle of hot honey and fresh herbs for an unexpected twist.
Top Tip
For extra flavor and moisture that will pair well with the ingredients in this sandwich, add sweet bbq sauce to either the top or bottom slices of bread before adding all of your toppings.
FAQ
Absolutely. Smoking your own chicken at home adds a richer flavor profile. Use wood chips or pellets like hickory or applewood for the best taste, and maintain a low temperature to keep the meat juicy so your result is a super tender chicken. For an abundance of meat, smoke a whole chicken. This will take longer than just smoking the breasts or thighs.
Yes, simply warm honey and stir in chili flakes or hot sauce until the desired spice is reached, then let it cool before drizzling.
Sturdier breads like ciabatta, sourdough, or brioche hold up well and balances the flavors in this sandwich well, but any fresh sandwich bread will work.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with smoked chicken sandwich:
📖 Recipe
Smoked Chicken Sandwich Recipe with Cheddar Cheese
Equipment
- 1 grill or smoker
- 1 sharp knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 sourdough loaf
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoon pollo asado seasoning
- 2 cup milk
- 4 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 cup iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1 heirloom tomato
- 4 slices sharp cheddar
- 4 tablespoon hot honey
Instructions
- Add chicken breast to a resealable bag with milk and pollo asado seasoning. Marinade in the fridge overnight.
- Heat smoker to 250 degrees. Smoke chicken breast for about 3-4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from the grill and slice.
- Slice tomato and lettuce. Slice bread loaf in half. Remove some of the inside of the bread using your hands.
- Spread dijon mustard on bottom slice of bread. Layer lettuce and tomato on top. Add cheddar slices. Add sliced chicken. Drizzle with hot honey. Top with top slice of bread. Serve immediately or save for later.
Notes
- wrap in plastic wrap and keep cool to take to the beach or the pool.
- let the chicken chill before slicing and serving on sandwich.
- use fresh ingredients for best results.
- save leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
If you have any questions about how to make these smoked chicken sandwiches or need other sandwich recipe suggestions, leave a comment below!
Alicia says
Love this combo! It was delicious!
Alicia Moyer says
Glad you enjoyed!