Craving a Philly Cheesesteak but short on time? This Quick & Easy Chicken Cheesesteak recipe delivers all the cheesy, savory goodness you love, without the fuss. Forget spending hours in the kitchen – with just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have a delicious, satisfying meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, a quick lunch, or a weekend treat! Let’s dive in!
**Why This Recipe Works**
* **Speed:** The biggest advantage of this recipe is its speed. Pre-cooked chicken (rotisserie, leftover grilled, or even pre-shredded) significantly cuts down on prep time.
* **Ease:** The ingredients are simple and readily available in most grocery stores. The cooking process is straightforward and requires minimal culinary skills.
* **Customizable:** This recipe is a fantastic base. You can easily customize it with your favorite toppings and seasonings.
* **Delicious:** Despite its simplicity, this Chicken Cheesesteak is incredibly flavorful. The combination of tender chicken, melted cheese, and a toasted roll is undeniably satisfying.
**Ingredients You’ll Need**
* **Chicken:** 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded or thinly sliced. Rotisserie chicken works exceptionally well for this recipe. It’s flavorful and saves time. You can also use leftover grilled chicken, baked chicken, or even pre-cooked chicken strips.
* **Cheese:** 8 slices provolone cheese. Provolone is the classic choice for cheesesteaks, providing a mild, slightly tangy flavor and excellent melting properties. You can substitute with mozzarella, white American, or even pepper jack for a little kick.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced. Yellow onions provide a good balance of sweetness and sharpness. You can also use white onions or even red onions, although red onions will have a stronger flavor.
* **Bell Pepper:** 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional). Green bell peppers add a slightly sweet and vegetal note. You can also use other colors of bell peppers, such as red, yellow, or orange, for a sweeter flavor.
* **Hoagie Rolls:** 4 hoagie rolls. Look for rolls that are sturdy enough to hold the filling without falling apart. Amoroso rolls are a popular choice, but any good quality hoagie roll will work.
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons olive oil. Olive oil is used to sauté the onions and bell peppers. You can substitute with other cooking oils, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Worcestershire sauce adds a savory depth of flavor. A little goes a long way!
* **Garlic Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Garlic powder adds a touch of garlicky flavor. You can also use fresh minced garlic, if desired.
* **Onion Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. Onion powder enhances the onion flavor.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Seasoning is crucial to bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients.
* **Optional Toppings:** Hot sauce, banana peppers, mayonnaise, ketchup, lettuce, tomato.
**Equipment You’ll Need**
* Large skillet or griddle
* Spatula
* Cutting board
* Knife
**Step-by-Step Instructions**
1. **Prepare the Vegetables:** Thinly slice the yellow onion and bell pepper (if using). The thinner the slices, the quicker they will cook and the better they will incorporate into the cheesesteak.
2. **Sauté the Vegetables:** Heat olive oil in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers (if using) and sauté until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Caramelization adds depth and sweetness.
3. **Add the Chicken:** Add the shredded or sliced cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the flavors have melded. Make sure to distribute the seasonings evenly.
4. **Melt the Cheese:** Divide the chicken and vegetable mixture into four equal portions in the skillet. Top each portion with two slices of provolone cheese. Allow the cheese to melt completely, about 1-2 minutes. You can cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt faster.
5. **Assemble the Cheesesteaks:** While the cheese is melting, lightly toast the hoagie rolls. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.
6. **Fill the Rolls:** Carefully scoop each portion of cheesy chicken and vegetables onto a toasted hoagie roll. Be generous with the filling!
7. **Add Toppings (Optional):** Add your favorite toppings, such as hot sauce, banana peppers, mayonnaise, ketchup, lettuce, or tomato.
8. **Serve Immediately:** Serve the Chicken Cheesesteaks immediately while they are hot and cheesy. Enjoy!
**Tips for the Perfect Chicken Cheesesteak**
* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Since the chicken is already cooked, you only need to heat it through. Overcooking will make it dry and tough.
* **Use High-Quality Cheese:** The cheese is a key component of a cheesesteak, so use a good quality cheese that melts well and has a good flavor.
* **Toast the Rolls:** Toasting the rolls prevents them from becoming soggy and adds a nice crunch.
* **Don’t Overfill the Rolls:** Overfilling the rolls will make them difficult to eat and will cause the filling to spill out.
* **Adjust Seasoning to Taste:** Taste the chicken and vegetable mixture before adding the cheese and adjust the seasoning as needed.
* **Use a Griddle (If Possible):** A griddle provides even heat distribution and allows you to cook multiple cheesesteaks at once. If you don’t have a griddle, a large skillet will work just fine.
* **Chop the Chicken Finely:** The finer you chop the chicken, the easier it will be to eat and the better it will incorporate with the other ingredients. Thinly sliced is preferred over chunky.
**Variations and Customizations**
* **Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken and vegetable mixture.
* **Mushroom Chicken Cheesesteak:** Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet along with the onions and bell peppers.
* **Pizza Chicken Cheesesteak:** Add pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to the cheesesteak.
* **Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak:** Toss the chicken with buffalo wing sauce before adding it to the skillet. Top with blue cheese dressing.
* **Chicken Cheesesteak with Lettuce and Tomato:** Add shredded lettuce and sliced tomato after the cheesesteak is assembled.
* **Jalapeño Chicken Cheesesteak:** Add sliced jalapeños to the skillet along with the onions and bell peppers.
* **Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different cheeses, such as mozzarella, white American, pepper jack, or even cheddar cheese.
* **Different Breads:** While hoagie rolls are traditional, you can also use other types of bread, such as ciabatta rolls or even pita bread.
* **Creamy Cheesesteak:** Stir in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese or sour cream for a creamier texture.
**Serving Suggestions**
* **Fries:** Serve with a side of crispy fries for a classic cheesesteak experience.
* **Onion Rings:** Onion rings are another great side dish option.
* **Coleslaw:** Coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheesesteak.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad is a lighter side dish option.
* **Pickles:** Serve with dill pickles or sweet pickles.
* **Chips:** Potato chips or tortilla chips are a quick and easy side dish.
**Storage and Reheating Instructions**
* **Storage:** Leftover Chicken Cheesesteak filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assembled cheesesteaks are best eaten immediately, but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Be aware that the rolls will become soggy.
* **Reheating:** To reheat the filling, heat it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You can also microwave it, but it may not be as crispy. To reheat an assembled cheesesteak, wrap it in foil and bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave it, but the roll may become soggy.
**Nutritional Information (Approximate)**
* Calories: 500-600
* Protein: 40-50g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
*(Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)*
This Quick & Easy Chicken Cheesesteak recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of juicy chicken, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings on a toasted roll is simply irresistible. Give it a try and let me know what you think! Don’t forget to share your variations and customizations in the comments below. Happy cooking!