Description
Whip up an Easy Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich! This comforting meal is packed with flavor, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (plus more for serving, if desired)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Finishing Touches:
- 8 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Optional Extras:
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
- Extra ranch for dipping
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken & Bacon:: First things first, get that chicken ready. If it’s cold, give it a quick chop or shred. I usually have leftover rotisserie chicken, which is a lifesaver. Next, cook your bacon until it’s perfectly crisp. This is where the magic starts, that smell, oh my! Drain it well on paper towels and then crumble it. I always try to sneak a piece, just for quality control, you know?
- Mix the Filling for the Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich:: In a medium bowl, combine your cooked chicken, most of the crumbled bacon (save a little for garnish!), a good few spoonfuls of ranch dressing, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir it all together until the chicken is nicely coated. This is where I sometimes add a little extra ranch because I just love that creamy tang. Don’t be afraid to taste it and adjust; it’s your sandwich!
- Toast Those Buns:: Now, grab your sub rolls and slice them open lengthwise, but don’t cut all the way through; we want a hinge. Spread a thin layer of butter on the cut sides. Pop them onto a preheated skillet or griddle over medium heat, butter-side down, until they’re golden brown and slightly crispy. This step is critical; it prevents a soggy sandwich, and honestly, a toasted bun just tastes better!
- Assemble Your Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich:: Once the buns are toasted, spread a generous layer of your chicken-bacon-ranch mixture onto the bottom half of each roll. Don’t be shy; load it up! This is the core of our Easy Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich, so make it count. I usually pile it higher than I think is reasonable, then somehow it always fits.
- Add the Cheesy Goodness:: Top that glorious chicken mixture with your provolone or mozzarella slices. I like to overlap them a bit to ensure maximum melt coverage. Sometimes I’ll even add an extra slice if I’m feeling extra cheesy, which is most of the time, to be real. This is where the sandwich really starts to look like the comforting masterpiece it’s about to become!
- Melt and Serve Your Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich:: Place the open-faced sandwiches back onto the skillet, or under a broiler, until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Keep a close eye on it, because cheese can go from perfect to burnt in a flash, trust me, I’ve been there! Once melted, close the sandwiches, sprinkle with any reserved bacon and fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and serve immediately. The smell alone will have everyone rushing to the table!