Are you craving a sandwich that’s rich, comforting and absolutely delicious? Look no further than the cream of chicken sandwich! This classic comfort food combines tender chicken with a velvety sauce nestled between slices of perfectly toasted bread. Whether you’re planning a quick lunch, a light dinner, or something special for your next gathering, I’m gonna show you exactly how to make cream of chicken sandwiches that’ll impress everyone at your table.
What Makes a Perfect Cream of Chicken Sandwich?
Before diving into the recipe, let’s understand what makes these sandwiches so darn good The perfect cream of chicken sandwich has
- Tender, juicy shredded chicken
- A rich, creamy sauce that’s packed with flavor
- Bread that’s toasted just right (not soggy!)
- Optional fresh elements like crisp lettuce or tomatoes
- The perfect balance of seasoning
What I love about cream of chicken sandwiches is their versatility You can go simple and classic or jazz them up with all sorts of add-ins They’re perfect for using up leftover chicken too!
Essential Ingredients for Cream of Chicken Sandwiches
Let’s gather everything we need
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cans of chicken if taking the quick route)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cream or half-and-half
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (for quicker version)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
For Assembly:
- 8 slices of bread (white, sourdough, or your favorite kind)
- Butter for toasting
- Optional: lettuce, tomato slices, cheese
Preparing the Chicken: The Foundation of Flavor
The chicken is the star of this sandwich, so let’s make sure it’s perfect. You have several options:
Method 1: From Scratch (Best Flavor)
-
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
-
Choose your cooking method:
- Poaching: Simmer chicken in broth until cooked through (about 15-20 minutes)
- Roasting: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until juices run clear
- Pressure Cooking: 10-12 minutes in an Instant Pot with 1 cup broth
- Slow Cooking: 3-4 hours on low in a Crock-Pot
-
Let the chicken cool slightly, then shred it using two forks
-
Season again if needed
Method 2: Quick and Easy (Using Canned Chicken)
If you’re in a hurry (I totally get it!), canned chicken works surprisingly well:
- Drain the canned chicken (save a little broth if desired)
- Add to a bowl and shred with a fork
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
Crafting the Creamy Sauce: The Heart of Your Sandwich
The sauce is what transforms this from a regular chicken sandwich into something special. Here are two approaches:
Homemade Cream Sauce (Worth the Effort!)
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat
- Add 2 tablespoons flour and whisk to make a roux (cook for 1-2 minutes)
- Slowly whisk in 1 cup warm chicken broth until smooth
- Add 1 cup of cream or half-and-half
- Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and a pinch of nutmeg
- Simmer gently, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 5-7 minutes)
- Fold in the shredded chicken until well coated
Quick Shortcut Method
- In a pot, combine the shredded chicken with cream of chicken soup
- Use a ratio of 3 parts chicken to 1 part soup (for example, 48 oz chicken to 15 oz soup)
- Heat over medium heat until bubbling, then reduce to simmer for about 15 minutes
- Stir occasionally, breaking up any large chicken pieces with your spoon
Assembling Your Cream of Chicken Sandwiches
Now comes the fun part – putting it all together!
- Butter both sides of your bread slices
- Toast the bread until golden brown (this creates a barrier against sogginess)
- Spoon a generous amount of the creamy chicken mixture onto one slice of bread
- Add any optional toppings (lettuce, tomato, cheese)
- Top with the second slice of bread
- Cut diagonally for that classic sandwich look
Pro Tips for Sandwich Success
- Prevent soggy bread: Toast your bread well and let the chicken mixture cool slightly before assembling
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce up to 3 days ahead and store separately in the refrigerator
- Freezer-friendly: While I don’t recommend freezing the assembled sandwiches, the chicken mixture freezes beautifully for quick future meals
- Thicken the sauce: If your sauce is too thin, simmer it longer; if too thick, add a splash more broth
- Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze portions for easy weeknight dinners
Tasty Variations to Try
Don’t be afraid to get creative! Here are some of my favorite ways to customize:
Cheesy Delight
Add a layer of sliced or shredded cheese (cheddar, Gruyere, or Swiss work great) before toasting for a melty treat.
Veggie-Packed
Mix in diced celery, peas, carrots, or sautéed mushrooms to the chicken mixture for extra nutrition and texture.
Spicy Kick
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the creamy sauce for heat lovers.
Croissant Luxury
Use buttery croissants instead of bread for an indulgent twist.
Open-Faced Elegance
Serve as an open-faced sandwich topped with fresh herbs for a more sophisticated presentation.
Common Questions Answered
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds wonderful flavor. Simply remove the skin and shred the meat.
Q: How do I fix a lumpy sauce?
A: If your sauce develops lumps, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or blend it briefly with an immersion blender.
Q: Can I make these sandwiches vegetarian?
A: Yes! Substitute the chicken with shredded mushrooms or a plant-based chicken alternative, and use vegetable broth.
Q: How many sandwiches does this recipe make?
A: This recipe makes approximately 4 sandwiches, but can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
Q: What sides go well with cream of chicken sandwiches?
A: These sandwiches pair beautifully with coleslaw, potato salad, a simple green salad, or potato chips.
Troubleshooting Your Sandwich
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Soggy bread | Toast bread more thoroughly; let filling cool slightly before assembly |
| Dry chicken | Make sure not to overcook the chicken; add extra sauce if needed |
| Too runny filling | Simmer sauce longer to reduce; add a bit more flour to thicken |
| Bland taste | Add more seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or herbs |
Serving Suggestions
These cream of chicken sandwiches are delicious on their own, but they really shine when served as part of a complete meal:
- For lunch: Pair with a cup of tomato soup for classic comfort
- For dinner: Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a light salad
- For parties: Cut into quarters and serve as appetizers with toothpicks
Final Thoughts
Cream of chicken sandwiches are a timeless comfort food that combines simple ingredients into something truly special. Whether you take the quick route with canned ingredients or make everything from scratch, the result is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
So go ahead, give it a try, and watch as your family or guests keep coming back for more of your amazing cream of chicken sandwiches. Happy cooking!
How to Make Creamed Chicken Sandwiches in a Crock Pot
Aunt Lou here. We have had many people who love the recipe I based this one off of, and one of the most asked questions is, “How do I make this recipe when I do not need to feed a crowd?” So, I have adapted the recipe to make these Creamed Crock Pot Chicken Sandwiches for when you just need fewer sandwiches. This recipe will make four good sized sandwiches that would make my son and husband happy. However, if you like smaller sandwiches like myself and my daughter, then you could probably get five to six sandwiches. I love how easy this recipe is to make. It is a true dump and go recipe that is prepared in just a few minutes. It seriously took me longer to open my new jar of pickles than it did to prep this recipe! This classic recipe tastes great, and I hope you and your loved ones enjoy it as much as we do. (If you think this recipe sounds delicious, but you need more servings, check out the original recipe here.)
What You Will Need for Creamed Crock Pot Chicken Sandwiches
- 20 oz canned chicken, drained (2 – 10 oz cans)
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Buns
- Pickle slices, optional
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 hours on low or 1 hour on high, stirring halfway through the cooking time (It is done when the chicken is heated through.)
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