Grilled Chicken Sandwich

If there’s one sandwich that can compete with the sizzle of summer itself, it’s the grilled chicken sandwich. Smoky, juicy, and stacked high with flavor, this isn’t just another lunch idea—it’s the centerpiece of your next backyard dinner combo. Whether you’re browsing for chicken sandwich ideas to break your weekday rut or looking to upgrade your classic chicken club sandwich into something unforgettable, this recipe brings serious heat (and heart) to the table.

This isn’t fast food. It’s feel-good food. With a bold chipotle ranch dressing, crispy turkey bacon, creamy avocado, and toasted brioche buns, it hits that sweet spot between indulgent and practical. It’s also one of those rare healthy dinner ideas sandwich lovers can get behind—balanced, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable. Oh, and the mustard aioli? Let’s just say it deserves its own fan club.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to craft one of the best chicken sandwich recipes out there—from marinade to final bite. Let’s fire up the grill and get into it.

Ingredients for the Perfect Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Before you start assembling one of the best grilled chicken sandwich recipes you’ve ever tried, here’s everything you’ll need—organized by prep stage so you don’t miss a step.

For the Marinade

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Honey
• Garlic herb seasoning (or salt & pepper blend)

For the Sandwich Layers

• Thinly sliced chicken breasts (are ideal for healthy dinner ideas and sandwiches)
• Turkey bacon (or pork if preferred)
• Cheddar cheese slices
• Avocado
• Red onion
• Sliced tomato
• Spring mix or leafy greens
• Brioche buns (or swap with ciabatta for more grilled sandwiches ideas)

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing

• Real mayonnaise
• Buttermilk
• Garlic
• Green onions
• Adobo sauce
• Lime juice
• Onion & garlic powders
• Salt & pepper

For the Mustard Aioli

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Coarse grain mustard

Tip: These pantry-ready ingredients come together quickly, so it’s a great option if you’re browsing easy sandwich recipes for last-minute lunch or dinner.

Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix the dressing and aioli up to 3 days in advance. The chicken can be marinated overnight, and veggies can be pre-sliced for quick assembly—making this a strong contender for hand held lunch ideas or weekday dinner combos.

How to Make a Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Step-by-Step)

Whether you’re after quick chicken sandwich ideas for summer barbecues or want to impress guests with a gourmet-style BLT chicken sandwich, this method keeps it simple and delicious. Follow these steps to layer flavor from the grill up.

1. Marinate the Chicken

• Combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and garlic herb seasoning.
• Coat the chicken breasts and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).

2. Crisp the Bacon

• Heat oil in a skillet and cook turkey bacon until golden and crispy.
• Set aside on paper towels to drain.

3. Grill the Chicken

• Preheat grill to medium-high.
• Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side, then add cheese on top and cover grill to melt.

4. Toast the Buns

• Lightly butter both sides of your brioche (or ciabatta) buns.
• Toast on grill until golden.

5. Toss the Greens

• Mix spring mix with chipotle ranch dressing—this step gives your sandwich that smoky grilled sandwich recipes flavor twist.

6. Assemble the Sandwich

• Slather mustard aioli on the bottom bun.
• Layer chicken, bacon, tomato, onion, avocado, and dressed greens.
• Crown it with the top bun and press gently.

What’s the best way to grill chicken for sandwiches?

Use thin, evenly sized breasts. Oil the grill grates lightly, and avoid flipping too soon—let one side sear fully before turning. This method guarantees that your grilled chicken sandwich will stay juicy and not dry out.

Mustard Aioli Recipe

To make this tasty mustard aioli, mix together two parts mayonnaise and one part mustard (1/2 cup mayonnaise, two tablespoons Dijon mustard, and two tablespoons coarse grain mustard). You can use all Dijon mustard or all coarse-grain mustard, if you like.

Use mayonnaise: Use a quality brand like Best Foods or Hellmann’s.
Mustard: For this aioli, we use a little Maille brand Dijon mustard and coarse grain mustard.

Easy Chipotle Ranch Dressing

To make this chipotle ranch dressing, simply blend all the ingredients together until smooth.

• Use real mayonnaise, such as Best Foods or Hellmann’s.
• Buttermilk
• Garlic
• Green onions (white and light green parts)
• Canned adobo sauce
• Lime juice
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Grilled Chicken Sandwich

A great sandwich is more than the sum of its parts—it’s the texture, timing, and tiny tweaks that elevate it. If you’re looking for healthy dinner ideas or want to elevate your weekend lunches, these tips will help you make every bite count.

Grilling Hacks for Juicy Chicken

• Don’t skip the marinade: Even 15–30 minutes makes a huge difference in tenderness.
• Let it rest after grilling for 3–5 minutes before slicing—it locks in juices.
• Use a meat thermometer: 165°F internal temp = safe and juicy.

Cheese & Bacon Texture Tips

• Melt cheese under cover: Cover the grill while cheese melts for a gooey, Insta-worthy finish.
• Turkey bacon crisp: Use a cast iron skillet if your grill isn’t getting it crispy enough.

Greens + Dressing

• Toss greens in dressing just before assembling to keep them crisp—not soggy.
• Do you prefer a mild flavor? Try swapping chipotle ranch for regular ranch or honey mustard vinaigrette.

Bread Matters

• Brioche is buttery and soft, but toasted ciabatta holds up better for hand held lunch ideas or meal prep.
• Always toast the inside of the buns to prevent sogginess.

Can I meal prep these sandwiches ahead of time?

Absolutely—just store the components separately. Grill the chicken and prep the aioli/dressing in advance. Assemble right before eating for the freshest texture. This makes it one of the best dinner combos for busy weekdays or packed lunches.

Chef Luca

Smoky Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Chipotle Ranch & Mustard Aioli

This juicy grilled chicken sandwich features marinated chicken breasts, crispy turkey bacon, cheddar cheese, creamy avocado, fresh veggies, and a smoky chipotle ranch slaw—layered on toasted brioche and finished with a tangy mustard aioli. Perfect for summer cookouts or hearty handheld lunches.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 sandwiches

Course: Dinner, lunch, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 1500

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Equipment

• Grill or grill pan
• Skillet (for bacon)
• Mixing bowls
• Tongs
• Knife & cutting board
• Blender or food processor (for dressing)

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 thin sliced chicken breasts
• 8 strips of turkey bacon
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1 avocado sliced thin
• 1 large tomato sliced
• 1 red onion sliced
• 2 cups spring mix lettuce
• 4 Brioche buns

For the Mustard Aioli

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

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing

• 1 cup real mayonnaise like Best Foods or Hellman’s
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 cloves garlic smashed and chopped
• 2 green onions white and light green parts, chopped
• 3 teaspoons canned adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

 

For the Marinade

1. Add olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning to a large bowl. Transfer chicken to the bowl and turn to coat the chicken in the marinade. Let chicken marinate for 5-10 minutes.
2. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and place on the grill. Discard marinade.

For the Chicken

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Heat 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet. Carefully lay the turkey bacon slices into the hot oil, cooking 3-4 slices at a time. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
3. Grill chicken for about 3-5 minutes on each side (depending on thickness of chicken). Add slice of cheese and grill with the lid covered so the cheese melts.
4. Spread a little softened butter on both sides of the bun and grill for just a minute until the bun is lightly toasted on both sides.
5. Toss spring mix leaves in a bowl and toss with about 3-4 tablespoons over the leaves. Using two spoons (or your hand) toss the leaves so they are all lightly coated with the dressing. Add more dressing as needed.
6. Slather the mustard aioli on the bottom slices of toasted bun. Add the grilled chicken breast, bacon, tomato slices, onion slices, avocado and 1/4 cup spring mix (tossed in chipotle aioli) to each sandwich. Place the top part of the bun on top of each sandwich.

For the Mustard Aioli

1. Add ingredients to a small bowl and mix together using a spoon.

For the Chipotle Ranch

1. Add ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Refrigerate the dressing up to an hour before serving so the flavors have a chance to blend together.

Notes

• Use ciabatta for a sturdier sandwich.
• Make the dressings a day ahead to deepen flavor.
• Swap bacon for a vegetarian alternative if needed.
• Add pickles or jalapeños for extra tang and crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?

Yes! If you don’t have a grill, bake the marinated chicken at 400°F for 20–22 minutes or until fully cooked. You won’t get that smoky char, but it still fits beautifully into most grilled chicken recipes sandwich lovers enjoy.

Is chipotle ranch dressing too spicy for kids?

It depends on their tolerance, but chipotle has a smoky heat rather than a sharp burn. For a kid-friendly version, use a mild ranch and skip the adobo sauce.

What can I substitute for turkey bacon?

Pork bacon is the obvious swap, but crispy tempeh or coconut bacon work well for vegetarians—making this one of those chicken sandwich ideas that adapts to multiple diets.

Can I make this as a slider or party sandwich?

Absolutely. Use small buns and thinner chicken pieces or shredded rotisserie chicken. Perfect for easy sandwich recipes at potlucks or tailgates.

Nutrition Information (Per Sandwich)

This grilled chicken sandwich strikes a satisfying balance—hearty, flavorful, and protein-rich, without going overboard.

• Calories: ~1500 kcal
• Protein: 61g
• Fat: 116g (29g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 57g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 17g
• Cholesterol: 300mg
• Sodium: 2020mg

Note: Values vary depending on the cheese, bacon, and bun you choose. Opt for low-fat cheese or whole grain buns to adjust macros.