Ever have one of those nights where you need to get something delicious on the table, fast? You stare into the fridge, hoping for inspiration to strike. Well, friend, let me introduce you to your new best friend: the BLT Ranch Chicken Sandwich Melt. It takes everything you love about a classic BLT, adds some juicy, flavorful chicken, and melts it all together with cheese into one incredible, handheld meal. It’s the kind of easy, satisfying dinner that feels like a hug. And honestly, isn’t that what we all need sometimes?
Top Reasons To Make It
You’ll love this recipe because it’s seriously a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It comes together in under 20 minutes, especially if you use a rotisserie chicken or some pre-cooked shredded chicken you have stashed in the fridge. It’s also a fantastic way to use up those leftovers. The flavors are a total crowd-pleaser—hello, ranch, bacon, and cheese!—so even the pickiest eaters will gobble it up. It’s a simple chicken recipe that delivers big on flavor without any fuss.
Ditch Dinner Stress — Cook Smart, Not Hard 🍽️
35 quick & budget-friendly 5-ingredient dinners to save your evenings. Simple. Delicious. Ready in 30 minutes or less.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (from about 2 breasts or 1 rotisserie chicken)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing, plus more for spreading
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 4 brioche buns or Kaiser rolls, split
- 2 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 2 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your broiler on high or preheat a skillet or panini press over medium heat if you prefer a pressed sandwich.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup ranch dressing, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions. Mix it all together until everything is well coated and combined.
- Butter the cut sides of your buns. Place them, buttered-side up, on a baking sheet if you’re using the broiler.
- Broil the buns for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until they’re golden and toasted. Don’t walk away! They can burn in a heartbeat.
- Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Spread it out to the edges.
- Return the topped buns to the baking sheet and broil for another 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven. Top the melted chicken with a slice of tomato and a handful of shredded lettuce. Spread a little extra ranch on the top bun if you like, then place it on top. Serve immediately!
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This sandwich is a full meal all on its own, but I love serving it with a side of crispy potato chips or a handful of baby carrots and cucumber slices for a little crunch. If you want to make it a real feast, a simple side salad or a cup of tomato soup for dipping is absolutely divine. So good.
Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is wonderfully flexible! For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt ranch dressing and reduced-fat cheese. You can swap the cheddar for Pepper Jack if you want a little kick, or use Swiss for a different flavor profile. Not a fan of brioche? Whole wheat buns or even sourdough slices work great. To make it gluten-free, just use your favorite GF buns or even lettuce wraps. And if you’re out of bacon, a tablespoon of smoked paprika mixed into the chicken adds a nice smoky flavor.
Storage & Reheating
The chicken salad mixture (without the buns and veggies) will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled mixture because the ranch dressing can separate when thawed. To reheat, warm the chicken mixture in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through, then assemble your sandwich with fresh toppings. Assembled sandwiches don’t store well, so it’s best to make them fresh!
Pro Tips For Perfect Sandwiches
- Don’t skip toasting the buns! It adds crucial texture and prevents the sandwich from getting soggy.
- If your chicken mixture seems a little dry, add another tablespoon or two of ranch. It should be creamy.
- For an extra flavor boost, use a flavored ranch dressing, like garlic or bacon.
- Watch your sandwiches closely under the broiler. They go from perfectly melted to completely charred in seconds. I may or may not be speaking from experience!
- Let everyone build their own. Set out the toppings and let your family customize their perfect BLT Ranch Chicken Sandwich Melt.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use raw chicken breast? Absolutely! For quick and easy dinner recipes, using pre-cooked chicken is a timesaver. But if you’re starting from raw, season two chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook them in a skillet with a little oil for 6-7 minutes per side, until cooked through. Let them rest for 5 minutes before shredding.
- What’s the best way to shred chicken? You can use two forks to pull it apart. But my favorite method for super easy, shredded chicken recipes is to pop slightly cooled chicken breasts into a stand mixer and use the paddle attachment on low speed for about 30 seconds. It’s so, so fast.
- Is this considered a healthy chicken recipe? It can be! By choosing lighter versions of ranch and cheese and loading up on the fresh tomato and lettuce, you can easily make this one of your healthier dinner ideas. It’s all about balance.