Chicken Cheese Sandwich

This hot chicken cheese sandwich is a straightforward and comforting meal. It features a creamy, savory filling of cooked chicken and cheese sauce, all piled into a soft bun and baked until everything is melted together.

Because the recipe uses pre-cooked chicken, it comes together very quickly, making it a great option for a fast lunch or a simple weeknight dinner. The sandwiches are baked individually in foil, which makes them easy to serve.

Why will you love Chicken Cheese Sandwich?

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Wrapping the sandwiches in foil steams them gently, keeping the buns soft and ensuring the cheese melts into a warm, gooey sauce.

You can easily scale the recipe up or down to feed a small family or a larger group.

Chicken Cheese Sandwich Ingredients

• Cooked Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is a convenient choice. You can also use any leftover baked or poached chicken, just be sure it’s chopped or shredded into small, bite-sized pieces.

• Processed Cheese Sauce: A jarred cheese sauce like Cheez Whiz provides the classic creamy texture and flavor for this sandwich. It melts smoothly without becoming oily.

• Mayonnaise-Style Dressing: A tangy dressing like Miracle Whip adds a bit of sweetness and zest that balances the rich cheese. You can substitute regular mayonnaise for a less sweet flavor.

• Buns: Soft potato rolls or slider buns work very well. Any small, soft sandwich bun will do.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Cheese Sandwich

Step 1: Mix the Creamy Filling

First, get your oven preheating to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cheese sauce, mayonnaise-style dressing, and garlic powder. Stir it all together until the chicken is completely coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 2: Assemble the Sandwiches

Separate the tops and bottoms of your sandwich buns. Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture onto each of the bottom buns, dividing it evenly. Once they are all filled, place the top buns back on.

Step 3: Wrap and Bake

Wrap each assembled sandwich tightly in a piece of aluminum foil. Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. The goal is to heat them until the filling is hot and melted all the way through.

What to Serve with Chicken Cheese Sandwich

These sandwiches are satisfying on their own or served with simple sides. Potato chips, a pickle spear, or a fresh green salad would all be great accompaniments.

Helpful Tricks for Chicken Cheese Sandwich

Food Safety: For any dish containing poultry, ensure it is heated to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a food thermometer to check the center of the filling.

The foil is important for this recipe. It traps steam, which keeps the buns soft and helps the filling get warm and gooey.

Let the sandwiches cool for a minute or two before handling. The filling will be very hot right out of the oven.

How to Store and Freeze Chicken Cheese Sandwich

Store leftover sandwiches wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. We do not recommend freezing assembled sandwiches, as the buns can become soggy upon thawing.

Chicken Cheese Sandwich Recipe FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble and wrap the sandwiches in foil, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

A processed cheese sauce provides the intended smooth, creamy texture. While you could try shredded cheddar, it may result in a different, less saucy consistency.

Do I have to wrap them in foil?

Wrapping in foil is recommended. It steams the bun, keeping it soft, and helps the filling heat evenly without drying out. Baking them unwrapped will result in a toasted, crusty bun.

Chicken Cheese Sandwich

A creamy mix of cooked chicken and cheese sauce is spooned into soft buns and baked until warm and gooey.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed, about 10 oz / 280g
• 1 cup processed cheese sauce like Cheez Whiz, 240g
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise-style dressing like Miracle Whip, 115g
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 6 soft sandwich buns sliced
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, combine the cooked chicken, processed cheese sauce, mayonnaise-style dressing, and garlic powder. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
• Lay out the bottom halves of the six buns on your work surface. Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the buns.
• Place the top halves of the buns onto the filling.
• Tear off six sheets of aluminum foil. Wrap each sandwich individually in a piece of foil, sealing the edges.
• Arrange the foil-wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the filling is heated through. For food safety, the filling should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Carefully remove the sandwiches from the oven. Let them rest for a minute before unwrapping, as steam will be released. Serve warm.

Notes

Food Safety: For any dish containing poultry, ensure it is heated to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a food thermometer to check the center of the filling.

The foil is important for this recipe. It traps steam, which keeps the buns soft and helps the filling get warm and gooey.

Let the sandwiches cool for a minute or two before handling. The filling will be very hot right out of the oven.

Keyword baked sandwich, chicken cheese sandwich, chicken sandwich, easy lunch, hot sandwich