A quick, craveable sandwich that takes the classic Caesar salad and turns it into a hand-held meal. This Chicken Caesar Sandwich layers sliced cooked chicken, crisp romaine, and tangy Caesar dressing between two slices of toasted crusty bread for a fast lunch or light dinner. If you like simple chicken sandwiches that pack big flavor, you might also enjoy this crockpot BBQ chicken for another easy protein option.
Why you’ll love this dish
Simple, familiar flavors that come together in minutes. The combination of crunchy toasted bread, cool romaine, and savory chicken is comforting and portable — perfect for a busy weekday lunch, an easy picnic, or a kid-friendly after-school meal.
“Quick to build, keeps well when components are separated, and tastes like a restaurant sandwich at home.”
Reasons to try it:
- Fast: uses pre-cooked chicken so total time is just toasting and assembly.
- Budget-friendly: few ingredients that you likely already have.
- Customizable: add bacon, avocado, or swap bread types.
- Crowd-pleaser: mild but flavorful, suits picky eaters and adults alike.
How this recipe comes together
Step-by-step overview before you start:
- Toast two slices of crusty bread until golden.
- Spread Caesar dressing on one slice.
- Layer sliced cooked chicken and chopped romaine.
- Season, add Parmesan if you like, and top with the other slice of bread.
Expect the whole process to take about 5–10 minutes if the chicken is already cooked.
What you’ll need
- 2 slices crusty bread (ciabatta, sourdough, or country loaf)
- 1 cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and well-drained
- 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved, for garnish (optional)
Substitution notes:
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken for speed.
- For a lighter sandwich, use whole-grain bread or lettuce leaves as a wrap.
- Swap Caesar dressing for a lighter yogurt-based Caesar if you want fewer calories.
Step-by-step instructions
- Toast the bread: Place the two slices of crusty bread in a toaster or under a broiler until they are golden and slightly crisp. Let them cool a minute so the dressing won’t steam the bread.
- Dress the bread: Spread about 1–2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing evenly on one slice of toasted bread.
- Layer the chicken: Arrange the sliced cooked chicken breast over the dressed bread in a single layer for even bites.
- Add the greens: Pile the chopped romaine on top of the chicken. Shake off excess water before adding to avoid soggy bread.
- Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper over the lettuce.
- Finish with cheese: Add grated or shaved Parmesan if using.
- Close and serve: Place the second slice of toasted bread on top and press gently to combine flavors. Cut the sandwich in half and serve immediately.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve this sandwich hot or at room temperature. It pairs well with:
- A crisp side salad or kettle chips for crunch.
- A warm bowl of soup — for an easy combo, try pairing with chicken tortellini soup.
- Pickles, sliced tomatoes, or a lemon-wedge on the side to brighten the sandwich.
For presentation, stack the halves slightly off-center on a plate and sprinkle extra Parmesan and a little cracked black pepper on top.
Storage and reheating tips
- If you must store, keep components separate: toasted bread in an airtight container, dressed greens in a paper-towel-lined container, and chicken wrapped or in a sealed container. Assemble just before eating to avoid sogginess.
- Cooked chicken: refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3–4 days.
- Assembled sandwich: best eaten immediately. If stored assembled, eat within 24 hours and expect softer bread.
- Freezing: not recommended for the assembled sandwich. You can freeze cooked chicken (up to 2–3 months) and thaw in the refrigerator before using.
- Reheating: if you want warm chicken, reheat slices in a skillet or microwave until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before assembling.
Pro chef tips
- Dry the lettuce well: use a salad spinner or pat with paper towels to prevent soggy bread.
- Toast thoroughly: extra crisping helps the bread stand up to the dressing.
- Thin slices of chicken create better layering and more even distribution of flavor.
- Use shaved Parmesan for a more elegant mouthfeel than finely grated cheese.
- Brighten with lemon: a tiny squeeze of lemon over the chicken lifts the Caesar flavors.
- Press lightly: compressing the sandwich briefly helps the components meld without flattening the bread completely.
Creative twists
- Grilled Chicken Caesar: use grilled chicken breast for smoky flavor.
- Avocado Caesar: add sliced avocado for creaminess and healthy fat.
- Bacon Caesar: crumbled crispy bacon for extra savory crunch.
- Vegetarian take: swap chicken for grilled halloumi or tempeh and use vegetarian Caesar dressing.
- Low-carb: replace bread with large romaine leaves for wraps.
- Spicy: mix a touch of sriracha into the dressing for a kick.
Common questions
Q: How long does it take to make?
A: About 5–10 minutes if the chicken is already cooked. Toasting and assembly are quick.
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely — shredded or thinly sliced rotisserie chicken is ideal for speed and flavor.
Q: Can I make the sandwich ahead for lunch?
A: Assemble only if you don’t mind softer bread. For the best texture, pack components separately and assemble just before eating.
Q: Is it safe to eat the sandwich if left out?
A: No — per food safety guidelines, don’t leave cooked chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F / 32°C).
Q: Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
A: Use a dairy-free Caesar dressing and vegan parmesan, and replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh.
Q: What’s a good calorie estimate?
A: Roughly 400–600 calories depending on bread type, amount of dressing, and whether you add cheese or avocado.
If you want help scaling the recipe, choosing a dressing, or swapping ingredients for dietary needs, tell me what you have on hand and I’ll tailor suggestions.
Print
Chicken Caesar Sandwich
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 sandwich
- Diet: Optional vegetarian
Description
A quick and craveable sandwich that transforms the classic Caesar salad into a hand-held meal with sliced chicken, crisp romaine, and tangy dressing.
Ingredients
- 2 slices crusty bread (ciabatta, sourdough, or country loaf)
- 1 cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and well-drained
- 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the bread: Place the two slices of crusty bread in a toaster or under a broiler until they are golden and slightly crisp, then let them cool.
- Dress the bread: Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing evenly on one slice of toasted bread.
- Layer the chicken: Arrange the sliced cooked chicken breast over the dressed bread in a single layer.
- Add the greens: Pile the chopped romaine on top of the chicken, shaking off excess water to avoid soggy bread.
- Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper over the lettuce.
- Finish with cheese: Add grated or shaved Parmesan if using.
- Close and serve: Place the second slice of toasted bread on top, press gently to combine flavors, cut the sandwich in half, and serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter sandwich, use whole-grain bread or lettuce leaves as a wrap. Swap Caesar dressing for a lighter yogurt-based version for fewer calories.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Assembly
- Cuisine: American