Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place between plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound to even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or heavy pan.
- Season both sides of pounded chicken generously with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each chicken breast and cover skillet with a lid for 30 seconds to melt cheese. Remove chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Toast ciabatta rolls cut-side down in the same skillet for about 2 minutes until golden, or use a toaster.
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and honey if using until smooth.
- Spread sauce generously on both cut sides of toasted bread. On the bottom bun, layer lettuce or arugula, then tomato slices seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Place cheesy chicken breast on top of tomatoes. Layer crispy bacon, thinly sliced red onion, and avocado slices or mashed avocado.
- Close sandwich with top bun, pressing down gently. Secure with toothpicks if needed and slice in half diagonally.
Notes
Storage: Best eaten immediately. Cook chicken and bacon up to 2 days ahead and store separately. Reheat chicken in 350°F oven for 8 minutes before assembling. Don't assemble sandwiches in advance as bread will get soggy. Pack components separately for meal prep and assemble just before eating. Substitutions: Use turkey cutlets, grilled shrimp, or portobello mushroom cap instead of chicken. Sourdough or pretzel buns work instead of ciabatta. Skip bacon and cheese for lighter version. Use Greek yogurt mixed with mustard and honey instead of mayo. Variations: Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for heat. Use chipotle mayo for smoky spice. Try different cheeses like cheddar or Swiss. Add sprouts or cucumber for extra crunch. Grilling: Grill pounded chicken over medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side, adding cheese during the last minute. Pro Tip: Pound chicken to even thickness for consistent cooking. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before assembling. Toast bread in chicken drippings for extra flavor.
