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
An Italian or hoagie roll serves as the base for holding all the delicious fillings. A long, sturdy roll is ideal for absorbing 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 of the great things about chicken cheesesteaks is how customizable they can be. 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
So while they should still be enjoyed in moderation, chicken cheesesteaks can be a “lighter” way to indulge in this satisfying 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
A chicken cheesesteak has plenty of flavor on its own, but certain accompaniments can take it to the next level:
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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
- Cut hoagie rolls open, and place cut-side up on a baking sheet.
- Mix chicken with the cooking oil, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the chicken in two batches in a skillet until browned. Place the cooked chicken in a bowl when done cooking.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the pan, and cook until the bell peppers and onions are very tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the peppers and onions to the chicken and stir everything together.
- Spread the insides of the hoagie rolls with butter. Add cheese slices to both sides of the rolls, and fill with chicken, peppers, and onions.
- Bake the sandwiches until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve warm and savor all of the delicious flavors.
- Soft Hoagie Rolls – Philly sandwiches are traditionally served on Amoroso rolls, but those can be difficult to find outside of Philadelphia. Look for soft hoagie rolls for another option that will be delicious with those flavorful fillings.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast – This recipe calls for thinly sliced chicken, so you will want to use lean boneless, skinless chicken breast, which is easier to cut, rather than chicken thighs.
- Cooking Oil, divided – Any cooking oil will work for this recipe. Feel free to use avocado oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, or whatever you have in your pantry.
- Garlic Powder, Worcestershire Sauce – To season the thinly sliced chicken and tender bell peppers.
- Kosher Salt, Black Pepper – Basic cooking seasonings to elevate the sauteed veggies and chicken.
- Bell Pepper – Thinly slice your bell peppers so they cook evenly and get nice and tender. Red and yellow peppers are popular choices, but you could also use green bell peppers.
- Red Onion – Red onions become pleasantly sweet when sauteed. You could use white onions, but they won’t develop the same sweetness when cooking.
- Butter – To get the hoagies nice and toasted.
- White American Cheese (substitute 8 slices of Provolone) – Cheez Whiz was the original cheese in the Philly cheesesteak sandwich, but white American cheese or Provolone will give you the same melted cheesiness.
- Thinly sliced chicken breast – Chicken cooks more quickly and evenly when it is sliced thin. You can freeze the chicken breasts on a cutting board for 10 minutes to make this task easier. Very cold meats are easier to slice.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken – The savoriness of rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe, and gives you another creative way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken!
- Make it vegetarian – The meat texture of mushrooms makes them a great stand-in for a meat-based protein.
- Go vegan – Substituting mushrooms for meat, omitting the butter, and using a vegan “cheese” alternative will turn a chicken Philly cheesesteak into a vegan cheesesteak sandwich.
- Add some spice – Adding jalapeno peppers will give you the best 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. If you store these together, all of the wonderful juice from your sandwich filling will make the rolls soggy.
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. If you’re in the mood for a little something extra on your chicken Philly cheesesteak, you could whip up a quick aioli to add.
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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?
Authentic Philly Cheesesteak is made with ribeye steak that’s sliced into thin slices, and topped with melted provolone cheese, white American cheese, or Cheez Whiz, as well as fried onions, all on a toasted hoagie roll. It’s pure sandwich perfection!
What does a chicken Philly have on it?
It’s an easy Chicken Philly Cheesesteak recipe with tender chicken, bell peppers, onions, and melted provolone cheese stuffed inside a hoagie roll (or the closest bun you can find to 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.