Easy cheesy Chicken Melts showcase thick slices of bread topped with a creamy chicken sauce and cheese on top. These Chicken Melts are baked and, if you like, topped with fresh herbs.
Why We Love These Chicken Melts
- Fast & Convenient: Quick prep with rotisserie chicken.
- Versatile: Easy to customize with various ingredients.
- Healthy: Includes hidden veggies for nutrition.
- Tasty: Creamy, cheesy, and flavorful.
- Family-Friendly: Appeals to both adults and kids.
Ingredients
- Rotisserie Chicken: Main protein, adds flavor.
- Shallots, Celery, Carrots: Add crunch, nutrition, and flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Provides richness and helps bind the ingredients.
- Sour Cream and Mayo: Create a creamy sauce base, enhancing moistness.
- Seasonings: Boost flavor with spice and warmth.
- French Bread: Acts as a sturdy, crispy base.
- Optional (Tomatoes, Green Onions, Cilantro, Hot Sauce): Offer customization for freshness and spice.
How To Make These Chicken Melts
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a lined sheet pan.
- Combine diced chicken, vegetables, and half the cheese in one bowl. Mix sour cream, mayo, and seasonings in another, then blend with chicken mix.
- Layer bread slices with chicken mixture and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Garnish if desired and serve.
Quick Tip
Shallots have more of a sweet and mild flavor with a hint of sharpness. Overall, they’re less abrasive, heat-wise, than regular onions, making them a great addition to these Chicken Melts.
Chicken Melts Variation Ideas
- Drizzle with Sriracha or hot sauce.
- Top with thinly sliced Roma tomatoes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, or chives.
- Experiment with different cheeses or cheese combinations (e.g., Swiss, pepper jack).
- Substitute shallots with red onion or sweet onion for a stronger flavor.
- Incorporate avocado slices for creaminess and a hint of richness.
More Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
- Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
- Chicken Shawarma Wraps
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Chicken Melts
Easy cheesy Chicken Melts showcase thick slices of bread topped with a creamy chicken sauce and cheese on top. Chicken Melts are baked and, if you like, topped with fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken diced
- 1/2 cup shallots finely diced (1-2 medium-sized)
- 3/4 cup celery finely diced (~2 large stalks)
- 1 cup carrots shredded (~2 medium carrots)
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese freshly grated (or extra sharp), divided
- 1/2 cup sour cream (lite is fine)
- 1/2 cup mayo (we love Hellman's/Best Foods)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend (See Note 1)
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder and paprika
- Pinch cracked pepper
- 1 loaf French bread (you'll use about 1/2 of it)
- Optional: 2-3 thinly sliced Roma tomatoes, fresh green onions (thinly sliced), fresh cilantro (finely chopped), hot sauce
Instructions
- PREP: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. Dice the chicken. Finely dice the shallots and celery. Grate the carrots on the large holes of a cheese grater. Grate the cheese.
- CHICKEN MIXTURE: Add the chicken, shallots, celery, carrots, and 1 cup (82g) cheese to a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine the sour cream, mayo, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of pepper. Whisk until smooth. Pour sauce over chicken and veggies and gently stir until everything is combined. Taste and adjust this mixture to personal preference adding more Cajun seasoning if desired.
- ASSEMBLE: Slice a loaf of French bread into thick slices, about 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick. Place bread slices on the prepared sheet pan. Add 1/3 cup (82g) of the chicken mixture onto each piece of bread. Smooth into an even layer with the black of a fork. Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons cheese to the top of each chicken melt to use the remaining 1 cup of grated cheese.
- BAKE: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted on top. Remove from the oven.
- ENJOY: Garnish with fresh herbs and, if desired, a few thin slices of Roma tomato (my favorite!). Add a drizzle of hot sauce if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Not all store-bought Cajun seasonings are the same -- they can vary quite a bit from brand to brand. Spiciness and saltiness can vary significantly, so be sure to add the seasoning slowly and taste frequently. I find Cajun seasoning is generally salty enough that these melts need no additional salt, but feel free to add a bit if desired or if your particular seasoning is not salted. I use McCormick® Cajun Seasoning. If you prefer a less-salty dish, look for a low-sodium Cajun seasoning blend.
Nutrition
Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4686IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 391mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
As your sister, I can’t even tell you how much my family loves these Chicken Melts! They are the quickest dinner or lunch and everyone goes crazy for them! Thank you so much for such an awesome recipe!