Best Cheeses To Pair With Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chicken is a versatile dish that can be paired with various cheeses to create delicious meals. From sandwiches to quesadillas, the right cheese combination can elevate the flavour of rotisserie chicken. Mozzarella, cheddar, and pepper jack cheese are popular choices, but other options like fontina, provolone, and parmesan can also be explored. Creating the perfect rotisserie chicken dish involves finding the right balance between flavours and textures, with cheese playing a pivotal role.

Mozzarella and brioche buns

Ingredients

• Gourmet Café premium quality rotisserie chicken breast
• Natural mozzarella cheese
• Brioche bun

Preparation

To prepare this sandwich, start by gathering your ingredients. Ensure you have access to premium quality rotisserie chicken breast, which serves as the star protein of this dish. Source natural mozzarella cheese, known for its creamy texture and mild flavour. Lastly, procure fluffy brioche buns, which provide a delicate foundation for the sandwich.

Once you have your ingredients, follow these simple steps:

• Thaw the sandwich under refrigeration for 24 to 48 hours in advance. This step is crucial for optimal flavour and texture.
• Preheat your convection oven to 350°F, ensuring the fan speed is set to HIGH. This temperature setting will ensure even cooking.
• Place the wrapped sandwiches on a sheet pan and put them in the preheated oven. Do not remove the wrapper, as it is oven-safe.
• Bake the sandwiches for 6 to 8 minutes. This timing will allow the cheese to melt perfectly and the bun to achieve a subtle golden hue.
• Serve the sandwiches immediately while they are still warm and inviting.

Customisation

While the classic combination of rotisserie chicken, mozzarella, and brioche is delightful, you can also add your own creative twist. Consider incorporating crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices, or creamy avocado to enhance the flavour and texture profile. You can also experiment with different sauces, such as a tangy mayonnaise or a spicy buffalo sauce, to elevate the sandwich further.

Quesadillas

To make the quesadillas, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add some butter. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle shredded cheese over half of it. Then, add your shredded chicken and top with more cheese. This will help the tortilla stick to the filling. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, then flip the quesadilla and continue cooking for a few minutes until the new bottom is also golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

If you want to get a little more creative, you can try making a chicken panini. To make this, you'll need mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, prepared pesto, grated lemon zest, sourdough bread, rotisserie chicken, bacon, smoked part-skim mozzarella cheese, red onion, tomato, and butter. Combine the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pesto, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Spread this mixture over two slices of sourdough bread. Layer the bread with chicken, bacon, mozzarella cheese, red onion rings, and tomato slices. Spread the remaining mayonnaise mixture over two more slices of bread and place them on top to form the sandwiches. Brush the outsides of the sandwiches with butter and grill until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted.

Parmesan, pesto and lemon zest

Parmesan, pesto, and lemon zest is a flavour combination made in heaven. The sharpness of the Parmesan, the fragrant basil and nuttiness of the pesto, and the zing of the lemon zest all complement each other beautifully. This combination is a great way to elevate a simple rotisserie chicken into something special.

One way to serve rotisserie chicken with Parmesan, pesto, and lemon zest is to make a pasta dish. Cook your pasta of choice according to the packet instructions. In a separate pan, heat some butter and olive oil, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Stir in some heavy cream and bring to a simmer, then add pesto, lemon juice, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss until the chicken is cooked through and the mixture is hot. Finally, stir through some baby peas and serve immediately with the cooked pasta.

Another option is to make a warm chicken salad. Start by making a dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Shred or chop your rotisserie chicken and toss it with the dressing. Add some baby spinach leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, and slivered almonds. Serve the salad with some crusty bread.

You could also make a chicken sandwich. Combine mayonnaise, buffalo wing sauce, and a little lemon zest in a small bowl. Spread this mixture on slices of French bread. Top with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and sliced rotisserie chicken. Drizzle with a little more buffalo sauce, then stack the sandwiches and wrap them in foil. Bake in a moderate oven until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are hot.

Finally, you could make chicken quesadillas. Heat a little butter in a pan and place a tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle over some grated Parmesan, then add shredded chicken, followed by more Parmesan. Top with another tortilla and cook until the bottom tortilla is golden brown. Flip the quesadilla and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

Mozzarella, pepper jack and buffalo sauce

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

A great way to use mozzarella, pepper jack and buffalo sauce with rotisserie chicken is to make a buffalo chicken sandwich. To make this sandwich, you'll need sliced French bread, buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and of course, rotisserie chicken. First, toast your bread and top one slice with mozzarella cheese and another with pepper jack cheese. Then, combine mayonnaise and buffalo sauce in a small bowl and spread this mixture on each slice of bread. Next, add the lettuce, tomato, avocado, and rotisserie chicken slices. Drizzle with more buffalo sauce, stack the slices of bread, and wrap the sandwich in foil. Bake the sandwich in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is softened, and then serve.

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Another option is to make buffalo chicken egg rolls using rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, mozzarella, and pepper jack cheese. You can also add cream cheese and ranch seasoning to the filling for extra flavour. To assemble the egg rolls, place the chicken, cheeses, buffalo sauce, and ranch seasoning in a large bowl and stir to combine. Then, place a portion of the chicken mixture onto an egg roll wrapper, wet the edges with water, and roll it up tightly. You can cook the egg rolls in an air fryer, fry them in oil, or bake them in the oven. Serve them with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

You can also use mozzarella, pepper jack, and buffalo sauce to make a delicious buffalo chicken pizza. Start by shaping your pizza dough into a circle and spreading a mixture of ranch dressing and hot sauce over the dough. Then, sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese, followed by toppings such as red onion, scallions, jalapenos, and shredded rotisserie chicken. Top with more mozzarella and bake the pizza until the crust is done and the cheese is melted and lightly browned. For an extra kick, you can drizzle the pizza with additional hot sauce.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

For a hearty snack or appetizer, try making buffalo chicken dip using rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, and mozzarella and pepper jack cheeses. You can also add cream cheese and ranch or blue cheese dressing to the dip for extra creaminess. Simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish and bake until the cheese is melted. Serve the dip with baguette slices, celery ribs, or tortilla chips.

Gruyere, pepper jack or provolone

Gruyere, pepper jack, and provolone are all delicious cheeses that can be used in dishes with rotisserie chicken. Here are some ideas for each:

Gruyere

Gruyere is a type of Swiss cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavour. It has a creamy texture and melts easily, making it perfect for dishes such as grilled cheese, fondue, and casseroles. When paired with rotisserie chicken, Gruyere can add a touch of elegance to your dish. Try making a chicken gratin by layering cooked rotisserie chicken with sliced mushrooms and spring onions in a baking dish. Top it off with grated Gruyere and place it under the grill until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. Serve this dish with a side of creamed spinach or a fruit salad for a well-rounded meal.

Pepper Jack

Pepper jack is a spicy, tangy cheese with a hint of heat. It pairs well with rotisserie chicken in sandwiches, wraps, or quesadillas. For a quick and easy option, assemble a rotisserie chicken sandwich by spreading spicy mayo on a ciabatta roll, topping it with shredded chicken and pepper jack cheese, and warming it up until the cheese is melted. Add some veggies like lettuce, red onion, and pepperoncini, and you've got yourself a flavourful and satisfying meal.

Provolone

Provolone is a mild, creamy cheese with a slightly nutty flavour. It melts beautifully, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, paninis, and baked dishes. When paired with rotisserie chicken, provolone can add a touch of richness and creaminess to your dish. Try making a simple baked provolone chicken by flattening boneless chicken breasts, coating them in seasoned bread crumbs, and baking them in the oven. Top the chicken with provolone cheese and bake until the cheese is golden and crispy. Serve this dish with a side of pasta or a fresh salad for a tasty and comforting meal.

Whether you choose Gruyere, pepper jack, or provolone, each of these cheeses will bring its unique flavour and texture to enhance your rotisserie chicken dishes.

Frequently asked questions