Thinly sliced chicken sizzled in a hot skillet, topped with sauteed sweet bell peppers and onions, covered in melted American cheese, and served on a soft toasted Hoagie roll…it’s easy to see why a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak is always a crowd-pleaser.
There’s nothing wrong with the traditional Philly cheesesteak made with rib-eye, but chicken makes a great alternative. Picture this: juicy chicken, sweet sauteed bell peppers and onions, super melty American cheese, all nestled in a buttery hoagie roll.
I’ve been making these sandwiches at home for years, always searching for something that comes close to the truly classic, and truly unbeatable version I’ve had in Philadelphia. Any skillet you have at home can’t compare to the taste that comes off of a hot griddle when these sandwiches are made in Philadelphia. The taste has been there for years (decades?). But you can build flavor in your homemade sandwich with the addition of a few pantry staples – garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. The rest is simple!.
Chicken cheesesteak has become an iconic sandwich enjoyed by people across America While the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak is made with thinly sliced beef, the chicken version offers a lighter twist on this indulgent sandwich. But what exactly makes up a chicken cheesesteak? Let’s take an in-depth look at the key ingredients and how they come together to create the delicious flavors we know and love
A Brief History of Chicken Cheesesteak
The original cheesesteak sandwich is believed to have been created in Philadelphia, PA in the 1930s. A hot dog vendor named Pat Olivieri decided to experiment with thinly sliced beef and onions, eventually adding cheese to the mix. The creation took off in popularity, cementing itself as a signature Philadelphia dish
In the 1980s, chicken cheesesteak emerged as a lighter alternative for those who preferred poultry over beef. While the exact origins are unclear, this variation allowed more people to enjoy the classic sandwich flavors. Today, you can find chicken cheesesteaks at restaurants across the country, though Philly remains its spiritual home.
Key Ingredients in Chicken Cheesesteak
While variations exist, a typical chicken cheesesteak contains the following core ingredients:
Chicken
This sandwich gets its name from the star ingredient – chicken! Traditionally, it’s made with thinly sliced or shredded chicken breast. Ground chicken can also be used for convenience and a consistent texture. The meat is seasoned and cooked on a griddle or skillet until fully cooked.
Onions
Onions are a classic cheesesteak topping. Thinly sliced white, yellow, or red onions are sautéed until tender and caramelized, providing a sweet, aromatic flavor.
Cheese
No cheesesteak is complete without the cheese! Popular options include provolone, American, and Cheez Whiz. The cheese is layered over the meat and onions while hot so it can fully melt.
Bread
The tasty fillings are put inside an Italian or hoagie roll, which is the base. A long, strong roll is best for soaking up juices without falling apart.
Seasonings
Simple seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and black pepper add seasoning without overpowering the other flavors.
How it’s Made
Making a chicken cheesesteak at home is easy to do with just a handful of simple steps:
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Cook chicken and onions: Sauté thinly sliced chicken and onions in a skillet with oil over medium-high heat until the chicken is cooked through and onions are tender.
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Season: Sprinkle on garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
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Add cheese: Layer sliced cheese over the chicken and let melt.
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Build sandwich: Scoop the chicken mixture into a split hoagie roll.
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Top it off: Customize with desired toppings like ketchup, hot sauce, mushrooms, peppers, etc.
And that’s it – a comforting chicken cheesesteak in minutes!
Variations to Try
One great thing about chicken cheesesteaks is that you can change them up in a lot of ways. Some tasty variations to try include:
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Buffalo chicken cheesesteak – Chicken cooked in Buffalo hot sauce, provolone, lettuce, and tomato.
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BBQ chicken cheesesteak – Chicken with BBQ sauce, provolone, lettuce, and onion.
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Jalapeño chicken cheesesteak – Chicken, jalapeño peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
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Chicken Philly cheesesteak – Chicken with sautéed mushrooms, peppers, onions, and Cheese Whiz.
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Hawaiian chicken cheesesteak – Chicken, pineapple, provolone, and teriyaki sauce.
Let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are endless for customizing these sandwiches.
Nutrition Information
While cheesesteaks aren’t the healthiest option, chicken does provide a lower-fat alternative to beef. A typical chicken cheesesteak contains around:
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Calories: 500-700 calories
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Fat: 25-35g
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Carbs: 40-55g
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Protein: 30-40g
Even though they should still be eaten in moderation, chicken cheesesteaks can be a “healthier” way to enjoy this tasty sandwich.
Cooking Tips for Authentic Flavor
To achieve the quintessential cheesesteak experience at home, keep these tips in mind:
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Use good quality, crusty Italian rolls instead of flimsy bread.
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Cook the chicken in butter or olive oil for enhanced flavor.
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Slice chicken and onions as thinly as possible for even cooking.
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Season simply with just salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Melt the cheese completely for gooey goodness.
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Add cheese sauce for extra indulgence.
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Keep sandwiches warm in the oven if serving later.
With tender chicken, sweet onions, and melted cheese on a toasty roll, you’ll feel like you’re biting into a slice of Philly no matter where you live!
Pairings and Condiments
Even though a chicken cheesesteak tastes great on its own, these add-ons can really make it stand out:
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Fries – For added carbs and crunch.
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Chips – Potato chips give a salty, crispy contrast.
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Pickles – Tart pickles cut through the richness.
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Ketchup – America’s favorite condiment.
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Hot sauce – Spicy flavors like Frank’s RedHot or sriracha.
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Ranch dressing – Cool, creamy dipping sauce.
Don’t limit yourself – get creative with crunchy, creamy, or vibrant toppings to customize each bite.
Where to Find the Best Chicken Cheesesteaks
While you can certainly make a mean chicken cheesesteak at home, some restaurants have perfected the art. Here are some top spots to score an incredible sandwich:
Philadelphia, PA – The birthplace of cheesesteak offers options galore, but local favorites include Dalessandro’s, Jim’s Steaks, and Ishkabibble’s.
Chicago, IL – Grab a table at Mr. Beef on Orleans for classic cheesesteak vibes and flavors.
New York, NY – In the East Village, The Breslin’s take features fontina cheese and hot sauce.
Austin, TX – Home Slice Pizza’s version piles the meat and cheese high on Texas toast.
Los Angeles, CA – For a California spin, Oaks Gourmet in Hollywood adds avocado and bacon.
Las Vegas, NV – On the Strip, Capriotti’s uses fresh-roasted turkey for a lighter cheesesteak.
Wherever your travels take you, keep an eye out for restaurants putting their unique stamp on this sandwich.
Bringing Philly Flavor Home
Chicken cheesesteak is a comforting meal with widespread appeal. By combining thinly sliced chicken, melted cheese, and sautéed onions on a crusty roll, each bite is full of the mouthwatering flavors we crave. The endless variations ensure you’ll never get bored.
While originating in Philadelphia, this addictive sandwich has become a staple across America. With just a handful of ingredients likely in your kitchen already, you can easily enjoy the delicious taste of a chicken cheesesteak meal any night of the week. So grab the bread and cheese, and get ready to enjoy a delicious slice of Philly no matter where you live.
The Hoagie Roll is Key
No matter how delicious you make the fillings for this sandwich, the hoagie roll is the key. The rolls should be sturdy enough to hold the fillings but still soft enough to easily bite through. Amoroso Hoagie Rolls are the go-to hoagie roll for the most authentic sandwich, but look for other variations on good-quality soft hoagie rolls in your grocery store’s bakery.
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How to Make Them
- Open the hoagie rolls and put them on a baking sheet cut side up.
- Spice up the chicken with garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix it with cooking oil.
- Two at a time, cook the chicken in a skillet until it turns brown. Place the cooked chicken in a bowl when done cooking.
- Put the sliced onions and bell peppers in the pan. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the onions and bell peppers are very soft.
- Mix the chicken with the onions and peppers after adding them.
- Spread the insides of the hoagie rolls with butter. Place cheese slices on both sides of the rolls. Then, put chicken, peppers, and onions inside them.
- It will take 8 to 10 minutes of baking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm and savor all of the delicious flavors.
- Some people say that Amoroso rolls are the best way to eat a Philly sandwich, but they can be hard to find outside of Philadelphia. You could also try soft hoagie rolls, which will taste great with those tasty fillings.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast—This recipe calls for chicken that is thinly sliced, so chicken thighs are not a good choice. Instead, use breasts of lean chicken that are boneless and skinless.
- Cooking oil, split up—This recipe can use any kind of cooking oil. You can use any oil you have in the pantry, like olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or anything else.
- Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder are used to season the thinly sliced chicken and soft bell peppers.
- Kosher salt and black pepper are basic seasonings that can make the chicken and vegetables taste better.
- Bell Pepper: Cut your bell peppers into thin slices so they cook evenly and get soft. People often choose red and yellow peppers, but you could also use green bell peppers.
- Red Onion – Red onions become pleasantly sweet when sauteed. You could use white onions instead, but they won’t get as sweet when cooked.
- Butter – To get the hoagies nice and toasted.
- You can use 8 slices of Provolone cheese instead of white American cheese. Cheez Whiz was the original cheese in the Philly cheesesteak, but white American cheese or Provolone will melt just as well.
- Cut the chicken breast into thin slices. Thin slices cook the chicken faster and more evenly. To make this job easier, freeze the chicken breasts on a cutting board for 10 minutes. Very cold meats are easier to slice.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken. This recipe works great with the flavor of rotisserie chicken, and it’s a fun way to use up extra rotisserie chicken!
- Make it vegetarian. Mushrooms can be used instead of meat because they have the texture of meat.
- If you want to make a chicken Philly cheesesteak vegan, you can use mushrooms instead of meat, leave out the butter, and use a vegan “cheese” substitute.
- Add some heat—jalapeño peppers are the best way to make a spicy Philly sandwich. You could also add a little hot sauce.
You can store the cooked filling for Philly sandwiches in an airtight container for 3 days. Be sure to store the hoagie buns separately from the chicken mixture and veggies. All of the great juice from the sandwich will make the rolls soggy if you store them together.
This classic toasted sandwich goes well with just about every pub-style, diner-style, or BBQ side dish. French fries, creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or a simple salad are terrific choices.
Philly cheesesteaks don’t traditionally include sauces, because there are so many naturally savory juices from the cooked meat. In this recipe, chicken pieces are sauteed in garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce to add layers of flavor. This chicken Philly cheesesteak could use a little something extra. You could make a quick aioli to go with it.
Make the Ultimate Philly Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich Recipe Today!
FAQ
What comes on a chicken cheesesteak?
Spiced chicken strips, peppers and onions, American cheese, served on a grilled hoagie. Served with Wavy Lays and kosher pickle slices.
What does a cheesesteak consist of?
Ribeye steak is sliced very thinly and then melted provolone cheese, white American cheese, or Cheez Whiz is added, along with fried onions. This is all put on a toasted hoagie roll. It’s pure sandwich perfection!.
What does a chicken Philly have on it?
It’s a simple recipe for a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak. Tender chicken, bell peppers, onions, and melted provolone cheese are stuffed inside a hoagie roll (or any other bun that looks like an Amoroso roll!)
What is a California chicken cheesesteak?
A California chicken cheesesteak is a twist on the classic Philly cheesesteak, substituting chicken for the traditional ribeye and incorporating Californian-inspired toppings.