Patrick Oconnell
Chicken melts are a delicious, cheesy sandwich that is perfect for using leftover chicken. They are a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. Chicken melts are made by layering chicken, cheese, and other toppings on bread and baking or grilling until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. There are many variations of chicken melts, but the key ingredient is melted cheese. This paragraph will discuss how to melt cheese on a cooked chicken breast, the different methods for melting cheese, and the various ingredients that can be used to create a delicious chicken melt sandwich.
Characteristics and their values for melting cheese on cooked chicken breast
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Mozzarella, Swiss, Pepperjack, Cheddar, Blue Cheese, Monterey Jack, or any shredded cheese |
| Type of chicken | Cooked chicken breast, leftover grilled chicken breast, rotisserie chicken |
| Type of bread | Thick-sliced white bread, Texas toast, rye bread, plain white bread, hoggie buns |
| Other ingredients | Onions, mayonnaise, tomatoes, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, garlic, green pepper, Cajun seasoning, balsamic vinegar, ham, bacon |
| Cooking method | Oven, skillet, non-stick pan, griddle, toaster |
| Cooking time | 10-12 minutes in the oven, 3 minutes in a skillet, 2-3 minutes on a griddle, 1-2 minutes in a toaster |
| Cooking temperature | 350°F or 375°F in the oven, medium heat in a skillet |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken melt sandwich
To make chicken melt sandwiches, you can start by preparing the chicken. Grill or cook the chicken breast beforehand and cut it into bite-sized pieces or strips. Season the chicken with garlic or other spices of your choice. You can also use canned chicken or shredded chicken for this recipe.
Next, prepare the cheese. Different types of cheese can be used, such as Swiss, Pepper Jack, Provolone, Havarti, or Mozzarella. You can also double up on the cheese and use a combination of cheeses for extra cheesiness.
Now, it's time to assemble the sandwich. Spread butter on both slices of bread. You can use plain white bread, dark rye bread, or any bread of your choice. Place one slice of bread, buttered-side down, in a preheated pan. Layer the sandwich with cheese, chicken, and any additional ingredients you prefer. Add another slice of cheese and cover it with the second slice of bread, buttered-side up.
Finally, cook the sandwich over medium heat until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. You can also melt the cheese directly in the pan by splashing some water and using a spatula to place it on the sandwich. Cook the sandwich for about 3 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is toasted to a golden colour.
Serve the chicken melt sandwich hot with a side of your choice. You can also cut the sandwich in half and secure it with a toothpick for a fancier presentation. Enjoy the delicious, cheesy goodness of your chicken melt sandwich!
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Using a non-stick pan
To melt cheese on a cooked chicken breast using a non-stick pan, you can follow these steps:
First, prepare your ingredients. You will need cooked chicken breast, cheese of your choice, bread, butter, and any desired toppings or fillings such as onions, tomatoes, or sauces. Cut the chicken breast into strips or slices that will fit comfortably within your bread. Choose a cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Swiss cheese.
Next, heat your non-stick pan over medium heat. You can add a small amount of butter to the pan to prevent the bread from sticking and enhance its flavour. However, this step is optional, especially if you are using a non-stick pan.
Once the pan is heated, place your bread slices into the pan. If you are making a sandwich, place the bread slices buttered-side down if you have buttered them beforehand. Place a slice of cheese on top of the bread, followed by your desired fillings, including the chicken breast. You can also add toppings directly onto the cheese, such as sliced tomatoes, onions, or sauces like mayonnaise.
Then, place another slice of cheese on top of the chicken and toppings. Cover it with the second slice of bread, placing it buttered-side up if you have buttered it. Cook the sandwich until the bread on the bottom is browned and toasted to your liking.
Finally, carefully flip the sandwich using a spatula. Toast the other side until it reaches your desired level of doneness. The cheese should be melted by the time the second side is toasted. If the cheese needs more time to melt, you can cover the pan with a lid to trap the heat and help the cheese melt faster. Once the sandwich is golden brown and the cheese is melted, remove it from the pan, slice it in half, and serve it immediately.
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Melting cheese in a pan
First, heat your pan to a medium heat. If you are making a sandwich, spread butter on the outside of two slices of bread. Place one slice of bread, buttered-side down, in the pre-heated pan. Add a slice of cheese, followed by your cooked chicken breast, and then another slice of cheese. Top with the remaining slice of bread, with the buttered side facing up.
Cook the sandwich until the bread on the bottom is brown and toasted. Then, flip the sandwich and toast the other side, waiting for the cheese to melt. You can add more butter to the pan to ensure the sandwich browns evenly.
If you are melting cheese on top of chicken without making a sandwich, you can simply place the cheese directly into the hot pan and splash some water to release the cheese. Pick up the melted cheese with a spatula and toss it onto your cooked chicken.
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Chicken breast preparation
To make a chicken melt sandwich, you'll first need to cook the chicken breast. You can grill, roast, or fry the chicken breast, or use leftover cooked chicken. If you're frying the chicken breast, heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the chicken breast, cooking for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. If your chicken breast is thick, you may want to cut it in half lengthwise or cut it into bite-sized pieces to help it fit better in the sandwich. You can also marinate the chicken breast beforehand, or season it with just salt and pepper.
Once the chicken is cooked, you can assemble the sandwich. Spread butter on both slices of bread and place one slice, buttered side down, in a preheated pan. Add one slice of cheese, followed by the chicken breast, and then another slice of cheese. Add any desired toppings, such as onions, tomatoes, or bacon, and finish with the remaining slice of bread, with the buttered side up.
Cook the sandwich in the pan until the bread on the bottom is brown and toasty, then flip the sandwich and cook the other side until the cheese is melted. If you want to melt the cheese more quickly, you can add a splash of water to the pan and use a spatula to pick up the melted cheese and toss it onto the sandwich. Alternatively, you can bake the assembled sandwich in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
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Chicken melt ingredients
Chicken melts are a delicious and easy way to use up leftover chicken. They are a great option for a quick weeknight dinner and can be made with a variety of ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients that can be used to make a tasty chicken melt:
Bread
The type of bread used for chicken melts is a matter of personal preference. Some options include thick-sliced white bread, Texas toast, rye bread, plain white bread, or hoggie buns.
Chicken
Leftover grilled chicken breast is a great option for chicken melts. You can use store-bought rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken breast. If using a thicker chicken breast, it may be helpful to cut it in half lengthwise or into bite-sized pieces to fit better on the bread.
Cheese
A variety of cheeses can be used for chicken melts, including shredded cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, Swiss, or a Mexican blend. The cheese can be shredded or sliced and placed directly on the bread or melted in a separate pan and then tossed on top of the sandwich.
Toppings
There are several toppings that can be added to chicken melts to enhance their flavor. These include onions (such as balsamic, caramelized, or fried onions), tomatoes, green peppers, mayonnaise (such as regular or sun-dried tomato mayonnaise), Cajun seasoning, garlic, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce.
Other Ingredients
In addition to the core ingredients above, there are a few other optional ingredients that can be added to chicken melts:
- Bacon: Crisp-cooked bacon can be added for extra flavor.
- Ham: Sliced deli ham or leftover glazed ham can be included.
- Butter: Unsalted butter can be spread on the bread or added to the pan to enhance browning.
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Frequently asked questions
A chicken melt is a sandwich consisting of chicken, cheese, toppings, and sauce on thick-sliced bread.
Common ingredients include sliced or shredded cheese, chicken breast, mayonnaise, onions, and bread.
There are several ways to melt cheese on a cooked chicken breast. You can place the chicken in a hot nonstick pan, add some butter, and let the cheese melt. Alternatively, you can bake the chicken in an oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until the cheese melts.
Chicken melts are versatile, and you can experiment with different types of cheese and toppings. If you're short on time, use pre-cooked chicken, and get creative with your sauces and toppings.
