Easy Homemade Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Crafting the perfect deli-style chicken sandwich takes skill and creativity in your kitchen.

Layers of flavor dance between soft bread slices, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this classic lunch favorite.

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and zesty spreads combine for a seriously satisfying meal.

Professional delis have nothing on you when you master these simple techniques.

Restaurants might charge premium prices, but you can whip up this delectable sandwich at home with ease.

Prepare to impress yourself and anyone lucky enough to enjoy this delightful creation.

Why Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich Is A Lunch Hero

• Craft a Gourmet Delight: Transform ordinary sandwich ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with professional layering techniques and flavor combinations.
• Master Quick Lunch Perfection: Create a protein-packed, nutritious sandwich that satisfies hunger and delivers maximum taste in minimal preparation time.
• Customize Your Culinary Canvas: Easily swap ingredients to match personal preferences, dietary needs, or available kitchen supplies while maintaining a delicious core recipe.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Designed to appeal to multiple age groups, this sandwich offers familiar flavors and textures that make it a reliable choice for family meals or casual gatherings.

Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich Ingredient List

• Sourdough Bread: A tangy, artisan-style bread that provides a crisp and flavorful foundation for the sandwich.

• Chicken Breast: A lean and tender protein that serves as the primary meat component of the sandwich.
• Ham Slice: Adds a rich, savory flavor to complement the chicken.
• Swiss Cheese: Offers a creamy and mild taste that melts beautifully between the proteins.

• Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard: Create a smooth, tangy base that enhances the sandwich's overall flavor profile.
• Red Onion, Tomato Slices, Lettuce Leaves: Provide fresh crunch, moisture, and a variety of textures to the sandwich.
• Pickle: Adds a zesty and sharp accent to balance the rich proteins.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that elevate and brighten the sandwich's taste.

How To Build A Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich

Step 1: Toast The Bread

Heat a skillet or toaster and toast sourdough bread slices until they reach a beautiful golden color and develop a crispy texture. The bread should have a light crunch and warm, inviting aroma.

Step 2: Create A Creamy Base Layer

Spread a generous layer of mayonnaise across one slice of toasted bread, ensuring complete and even coverage from edge to edge.

Step 3: Add Tangy Mustard Accent

Drizzle dijon mustard over the mayonnaise, creating a zesty flavor foundation that will elevate the entire sandwich experience.

Step 4: Layer Protein Foundation

Carefully arrange chicken breast slices atop the mustard-mayo base, overlapping slightly to create a substantial protein layer.

Step 5: Build Meaty Complexity

Place a slice of ham directly on top of the chicken, allowing edges to slightly overlap for maximum flavor coverage.

Step 6: Introduce Cheese Element

Position a slice of swiss cheese over the ham, creating a rich and creamy texture that melts into the surrounding ingredients.

Step 7: Add Crisp Onion Rings

Slice red onion into thin, delicate rings and distribute evenly across the cheese surface for a sharp, fresh crunch.

Step 8: Include Juicy Tomato Slices

Arrange fresh tomato slices over the onions, covering the cheese completely and adding a burst of moisture and brightness.

Step 9: Incorporate Leafy Greens

Tear lettuce leaves into appropriate sizes and gently place them over the tomato slices, providing a crisp and refreshing layer.

Step 10: Sprinkle Pickle Pieces

Chop pickles into small pieces and scatter them across the lettuce, introducing a tangy and briny note to the sandwich.

Step 11: Season With Flavor Enhancers

Lightly dust the ingredients with salt and freshly ground black pepper to amplify and balance the overall taste profile.

Step 12: Complete The Sandwich

Crown the layered ingredients with the second toasted sourdough slice, creating a complete and visually appealing sandwich.

Step 13: Compress And Stabilize

Gently press the sandwich to compress the layers, ensuring all ingredients are securely held together and creating a more manageable eating experience.

Step 14: Serve And Enjoy

Slice the sandwich diagonally to create two triangular halves and serve immediately while ingredients are fresh and bread remains crisp.

Pro Tips For Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich Goodness

• Choose Quality Bread: Select fresh, artisan sourdough with robust texture and slight tangy flavor for maximum sandwich enjoyment.
• Slice Chicken Precisely: Cut chicken breast into uniform, thin slices to ensure even distribution and consistent bite in every sandwich section.
• Control Moisture Balance: Spread mayonnaise and mustard sparingly to prevent soggy bread while maintaining rich, tangy flavor profile.
• Layer Strategically: Arrange ingredients from heaviest to lightest – meat first, then cheese, vegetables on top – to prevent ingredient sliding and maintain sandwich structure.
• Temperature Matters: Toast bread until golden with slight crispness, allowing sandwich components to meld together without becoming overly dry or burnt.

Tasty Twists For Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Sandwich: Replace dijon mustard with chipotle mayo, add sliced jalapeños, swap swiss cheese for pepper jack, include fresh cilantro leaves.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Sandwich: Swap sourdough for rosemary focaccia, use tzatziki instead of mayonnaise, add cucumber slices, sprinkle feta cheese, include kalamata olives.
• California Fresh Chicken Sandwich: Replace mayonnaise with avocado spread, add sprouts, use monterey jack cheese, include sliced avocado, drizzle with light herb vinaigrette.
• Greek-Inspired Chicken Sandwich: Use olive bread, spread hummus instead of mayonnaise, add roasted red peppers, include crumbled goat cheese, garnish with fresh mint leaves.

What Goes Well With Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Light, zesty white wine complements the tangy mustard and fresh vegetables, cutting through the richness of cheese and meat.
• Serve with Dill Pickle Chips: Crunchy, salty potato chips echo the pickle in the sandwich, providing a satisfying textural contrast and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Match with Classic Coleslaw: Creamy, tangy slaw balances the sandwich's savory elements, adding a refreshing crunch and cool counterpoint to the warm, layered ingredients.
• Select Craft Pilsner Beer: Bright, hoppy beer with clean finish cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the sandwich's complex mix of flavors and textures.

How To Store Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich The Right Way

• Store wrapped sandwich in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Keep refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent ingredient spoilage.
• Wrap unused bread slices in plastic wrap or sealed bag. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight to prevent staleness.
• Keep individual ingredients like sliced chicken, cheese, and vegetables in separate sealed containers. Refrigerate each component to extend shelf life and prevent moisture buildup.
• Prepare sandwich ingredients ahead of time and store separately. Assemble just before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent bread from becoming soggy.

Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich FAQs You’ll Want To Read

• Can I substitute the bread?

Yes, while sourdough provides a tangy flavor, you can use whole wheat, rye, or ciabatta bread for similar results.

• Is this sandwich good for meal prep?

Absolutely! Assemble the sandwich just before eating to keep ingredients crisp and prevent sogginess.

• How can I make this sandwich healthier?

Use low-fat mayo, lean chicken breast, and add extra vegetables like spinach or avocado for nutritional boost.

• What type of chicken works best?

Roasted, grilled, or rotisserie chicken work perfectly. Use sliced, pre-cooked chicken for quick and easy preparation.

Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Craving a mouthwatering Deli-Style Chicken Sandwich that brings classic delicatessen flavors home? Layers of juicy grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and zesty spreads create a restaurant-quality meal you’ll devour with pure satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 slices chicken breast
• 1 slice ham
• 1 slice swiss cheese

Bread and Base:

• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise (59 ml)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard (5 ml)

Vegetables and Garnish:

• 2 lettuce leaves
• 2 tomato slices
• 1/4 red onion
• 1/2 pickle
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper

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Instructions

1. Gently toast sourdough bread slices until golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
2. Spread mayonnaise evenly on one slice of toasted bread, creating a smooth base layer.
3. Add a thin layer of dijon mustard over the mayonnaise, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Layer the chicken breast slices carefully on the mustard-mayonnaise base.
5. Place ham slice directly on top of the chicken, overlapping edges slightly.
6. Position swiss cheese slice over the ham to create a protein-rich foundation.
7. Thinly slice red onion into delicate rings and distribute evenly across the cheese.
8. Arrange fresh tomato slices on top of the onions, covering the cheese surface.
9. Tear lettuce leaves into appropriate sizes and place gently over tomato slices.
10. Chop pickle into small pieces and sprinkle across the lettuce.
11. Lightly season with salt and black pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
12. Crown the sandwich with the second toasted sourdough slice.
13. Press sandwich gently to compress layers and ensure structural integrity.
14. Slice diagonally and serve immediately for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Enhance bread toasting by using clarified butter for extra crispiness and rich golden color.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like provolone or cheddar to customize flavor profile.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting sourdough with gluten-free bread alternatives for sensitive diets.
• Marinate chicken breast in herb-infused olive oil beforehand to boost meat’s tenderness and introduce additional aromatic dimensions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Toasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg