Name: Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoon Yogurt; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder; ½ teaspoon Pepper; ½ teaspoon Paprika; 1 Chicken Breast; 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 Ciabatta Bread; 2 tablespoon Mustard; 2 Lettuce Leaves (Sliced); 2 Cheese Slices; 1 Tomato (Sliced); Mayonnaise; Red Pickled Onions

There's something effortlessly satisfying about a grilled chicken sandwich made just right, juicy, spiced, and nestled between a perfectly toasted roll. For me, this one hits all the notes. I love marinating the chicken in yogurt; it's my secret weapon for tenderness and just that whisper of tang. The warmth of cumin and paprika fills the kitchen, making even a simple dinner feel special. When that chicken hits the pan, I'm hooked, not just for the sizzle, but for how those spices caramelize.

Recipe

I learned how transformative yogurt can be from a local café's version of a chicken wrap; it was so tender, so flavorful, and I tried to dissect what made it so good. Turns out it was the yogurt, so straightforward, but so effective. Now, I use it whenever I want a sandwich that feels fresh without fussy cooking.

Every bite is a balance of crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, tangy mustard, and pickled onions that cut through the richness of melty cheese and mayo. It's perfect for a quick lunch, and I want to feel like something I made with care. And it's open to variations, so when grilling season hits, or I'm stuck inside with a smoky grill pan, this sandwich stays my go-to. Give it a try, and I have a feeling you'll reach for it again and again.

This sandwich shines because of its yogurt-spice marinade; it transforms a plain chicken breast into something that's rich, brimming with flavor, and beautifully tender. The yogurt's cool tang mellows the cumin and paprika, creating a depth of taste that feels unexpected but comforting. Marinating at least 30 minutes lets those spices seep into every fiber. Then, as the chicken cooks, it gets those golden charred edges that give it just enough smoky sweetness. I always slice the chicken thin against the grain; it makes every bite feel juicy and perfect for layering.

Building the sandwich is where the fun really comes in. I start with toasted ciabatta; it's strong enough to hold all the layers but still tender underneath. I spread mustard on one side, mayo on the other. Lettuce gives that refreshing crunch, tomato brings brightness, and melty cheese ties it all together. Then pickled onions add a zing that wakes everything up. The contrast of textures, from crisp to creamy, makes it exciting bite after bite. I've served this to friends and they never guess how easy it is, just simple ingredients, but each one does its job beautifully.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Grilled Chicken Sandwich
🧾Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Grilled Chicken Sandwich
📖Variations
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🍗More Chicken Recipes to Try!
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Quick and Simple: You only need one pan and about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Juicy and Flavorful: The yogurt marinade keeps the chicken tender while infusing it with warm spices.
Perfectly Balanced: Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and tangy pickled onions cut through the richness of cheese and mayo.
Easy to Customize: Swap toppings or bread to make it exactly how you like it.

🧾Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ingredients

Here's the breakdown of what's in this Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe:

For Chicken:

Yogurt: I always reach for yogurt when marinating chicken because it keeps it so tender and gives a gentle tang that balances the spices beautifully.
Salt: Just enough to bring out the natural flavors and make every bite pop.
Cumin Powder: I love the warm, earthy depth it adds; it's one of those spices that makes chicken instantly more interesting.
Pepper: A touch of pepper gives a subtle kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Paprika: It adds a smoky sweetness and a lovely golden color as the chicken cooks.
Chicken Breast: Perfect for slicing into even fillets that cook quickly while staying juicy.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I like using it for its richness and the way it helps the chicken sear beautifully.

For Sandwich:

Ciabatta Bread: I pick ciabatta because it's crusty on the outside, soft inside, and strong enough to hold all the fillings.
Mustard: That tangy bite is exactly what cuts through the richness of the cheese and mayo.
Lettuce Leaves: Crisp and fresh, they add the perfect crunch to each bite.
Cheese Slices: Melty cheese makes the whole sandwich feel a little more indulgent.
Tomato: Juicy slices that bring brightness and freshness to balance the savory layers.
Mayonnaise: Creamy and smooth; it's the final touch that ties everything together.
Red Pickled Onion: I love the sharp tang and vibrant color; it wakes up every bite and adds a fresh zing.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Grilled Chicken Sandwich

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

How to Make Spicy Chicken:

1. Mix yogurt, salt, cumin, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.

2. Slice the chicken breast horizontally to create two fillets.

3. Cover the chicken generously with the yogurt spice mixture, making sure it's coated evenly.

4. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors blend.

5. On medium-high heat, warm up extra virgin olive oil in a pan.

6. Cook the marinated chicken until it's fully cooked and gets a slight char on the edges.

Sandwich Assembly:

1. Cut the ciabatta bread rolls horizontally to create two halves.

2. Using the same pan, toast the ciabatta bread until golden brown.

3. After toasting the ciabatta breads, take them out of the pan and spread mustard on one side of each roll.

4. Chop the lettuce and place it on the bottom half of each roll.

5. Place the cooked spicy chicken on top of the lettuce layer.

6. Place a slice of cheese over the chicken.

7. Cut the tomato into slices and layer them on top of the cheese.

8. Top generously with pickled onions.

9. Spread mayonnaise on the other half of the ciabatta roll and place it on top to finish assembling the sandwich.

📖Variations

Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the yogurt marinade and swap the mustard for a spicy sriracha mayo.
Mediterranean Twist: Replace the cheese with feta, add sliced cucumber, and swap the mustard for a smear of hummus.
BBQ Style: Brush the cooked chicken with your favorite barbecue sauce before assembling and swap the pickled onions for caramelized onions.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Keep Toppings Cold until Assembly: I like to keep lettuce, tomato, and pickled onions chilled so they add a refreshing contrast to the warm chicken.

Melt the Cheese Just Right: I sometimes place the cheese on top of the chicken in the pan and cover it for about 30 seconds so it softens without fully melting.

Toast Bread Right Before Serving: I always toast the ciabatta just before building the sandwich so it's crisp on the outside but still warm inside.

Slice Chicken Thinly: I like to cut the cooked chicken into thin slices so it layers neatly and every bite gets an even mix of flavors.

Store Leftovers in an Airtight Container: I like to keep the chicken, bread, and toppings separate in the fridge so nothing gets soggy. When I'm ready to eat, I just reheat the chicken and assemble the sandwich fresh.