Hot Chicken Sandwich recipe is a Canadian and American classic loved by many, and is so easy to make. It feels like you're not really cooking, yet the family is happily eating! If you love chicken sandwiches, check out my easy Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich.
The first time I ever ate this was at was in a restaurant chain in Canada, in a city called Winnipeg. The restaurant was called Swiss Chalet, and we didn't have this chain on the west coast of Canada yet. I don't remember anything particularly Swiss about it, but I remember their messy chicken sandwich. We would always order it when it opened in my town.
Easy Lunch or Dinner Recipe
This is such an easy chicken recipe to make for lunch or for your dinner. The simplicity of just shredding a roast chicken served as a chicken sandwich will fully satisfy your whole family. This isn't as light as a regular, dry chicken sandwich, the gravy is the secret that makes this meal a bit more fancy and filling.
We usually buy a rotisserie chicken from Costco, because they are big, cheap and tasty. When you buy chicken ready made, it only takes a few minutes to shred it and then make the gravy. You can use leftover roast chicken, as well, but I recommend shredding it before putting it into the fridge. Cold chicken is hard to shred.
Making gravy should also be easy. You can make gravy using the drippings or pan juices, if you make a homemade roast chicken, but there's and easier way. I make a homemade Juniper Pepper Gravy using chicken stock, but juniper can be hard to find. Of course, the easiest way is to use store bought gravy powder. That's why this recipe is great for using leftover chicken. Just heat the leftover gravy and chicken and you're ready to build your sandwich.
Hot Chicken Sandwich Without Peas
This recipe is so easy, you don't really need a recipe, it's more an idea and framework for a great main meal. In Eastern Canada and Quebec, this meal is traditionally served with green peas on top of the gravy, but I can't stand boiled peas. If you are going the vegetable route, try my Fried Green Peas, which would be great with this Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe. Adding peas are a great way to disguise vegetables in all the gravy.
How to Make a Hot Chicken Sandwich
When assembling the sandwhich, spoon on some gravy onto a piece of bread, so it absorbs into the bread. Add the shredded chicken and cover in more gravy. Top with the last piece of bread, and cover with gravy again. Add the peas if you like. Because you eat this with a knife and fork, it feels more like a meal instead of a sandwich.
I always serve this meal with fries or homemade Roasted Potato Wedges. You could seriously get this meal done in about 30 minutes. So many options, make it all from scratch or buy, mix and assemble.
Recipe Tips
- Use leftover chicken or turkey and leftover gravy
- Remember to shred your homemade chicken before it gets cold, it's easier to shred
- Use a hearty bread like sourdough, but you need to be generous with the gravy to absorb into the bread
- Experiment with different gravy recipes like Diane Sauce, or use leftover roast beef instead of chicken
- Add grated cheese on top of the chicken for some gooey goodness
This is a really an easy meal to make, and it's relatively healthy for fast food. A complete time saver when you need to get dinner on the table fast. It won't feel like you just threw dinner together last minute, but lovingly prepared some comfort food. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Ingredients
- loaf of bread
- rotisserie bbq chicken shredded
- 4 cups gravy
- a side of vegetables optional
Instructions
- Using 2 forks, pull apart and shred the meat from the cooked chicken. Set aside.
- Prepare the gravy. If making from scratch, allow for about 20 minutes to make the sauce (for your timing). Powdered thick gravy will work fine if necessary.
- Prepare 4 plates, placing 2 pieces of bread on each plate, like you are making sandwiches. It's not necessary to butter the bread, but you can if you want extra fat. Add shredded chicken pieces on a slice of bread. Spoon some of the gravy over the chicken pieces. Top with bread slice and cover with sauce. I use about ¾ cup of gravy per sandwich.
- Serve with roasted wedges or fries, and a vegetable...if you must!
Notes
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