Boost this ooey, gooey grilled cheese by adding saucy cooked chicken to the filling. Using two heavy skillets creates a homemade sandwich press, ensuring crisply golden sandwiches with fully melted cheese. A combination of cheeses is especially delicious—experiment with easy melters like Swiss, Colby, Havarti, Muenster, fontina, or Gouda.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced, then chopped
- 1 cup chopped or shredded Just Bare Chicken*
- 1/2 teaspoon dried barbecue rub seasoning
- 1/2 cup smoky barbecue sauce
- 4 slices firm sourdough or rye bread (1/4-inch thick)
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 cup shredded Provolone, Havarti, or Gouda cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
Nutrition Facts
Serving 1
| Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories 1055 | Calories from Fat 57 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 68g | 87% | |
| Saturated Fat 35g | 175% | |
| Trans Fat 2g | 175% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 60g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars 17g | ||
| Protein 57g | ||
| Calcium 66% | Iron 29% |
| Vitamin C 11% | Vitamin A 40% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy large skillet (cast-iron is best) over medium-high heat. Sauté onion about 4 minutes or until very tender. Stir in chicken, sauce, and barbecue seasoning. Cook and stir about 2 minutes or until hot. Remove from skillet to a small bowl. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel; keep skillet hot over medium heat. Heat a second skillet of similar size over medium-high heat.
- Spread one side of each slice of bread with butter; lay butter-side down on work surface. Sprinkle 2 slices of bread with half of cheese; spoon half of chicken mixture on top of cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; top with remaining slices of bread. Butter tops of sandwiches.
- Place sandwiches in hot skillet; place second skillet (bottom-down) on top of the sandwiches (if it’s not cast-iron, weight it down with a couple of cans from your pantry.)
- Cook sandwiches over medium heat for 5 minutes or until you hear melting cheese sizzling in pan. Gently remove top skillet, using a spatula if needed to be sure the sandwich isn’t sticking. Serve sandwiches immediately.
Variations
*Or use any leftover cooked Just Bare® chicken, from a home-roasted chicken or grilled chicken.
Tips
FAMILY-STYLE GRILLED CHEESE
To cook 4 to 6 sandwiches at the same time, heat the oven to 400˚F. Double or triple the amount of filling, depending on how many sandwiches you want to make. Preheat two large rimmed baking sheets (half-sheet pans.) Arrange filled sandwiches on one baking pan, then top with the second hot baking sheet—weighing it down with a heavy oven-safe skillet. Bake about 20 minutes or until sandwiches are golden brown and cheese is melted.