Crispy Shallot Chicken Cheese (Print Version)

Juicy chicken and crispy shallots combine with melted cheese for a comforting grilled sandwich.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast (rotisserie or poached)
02 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
03 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Shallots

06 - 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots (store-bought or homemade)

→ Cheese

07 - 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
08 - 4 slices mozzarella cheese

→ Bread & Assembly

09 - 8 slices sourdough or country bread
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How to Prepare:

01 - Combine shredded chicken, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until uniformly coated.
02 - Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
03 - Place four bread slices butter side down. Layer each with one slice cheddar, a generous scoop of chicken mixture, 2 tablespoons crispy fried shallots, one slice mozzarella, then another slice of cheddar.
04 - Top each sandwich with remaining bread slices butter side up.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently until golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches from heat. Let rest 1 to 2 minutes before slicing and serving hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, which means you can have a restaurant-quality lunch without the planning.
  • The crispy fried shallots add a texture that regular grilled cheese simply cannot match, and they cost almost nothing.
  • Using rotisserie chicken removes the cooking step, so this becomes a weeknight-friendly meal that feels indulgent.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here—if your pan is too hot, the bread will burn before the cheese has time to properly melt, leaving you with a crunchy outside and a cold center.
  • Don't skip the resting step after cooking because the residual heat continues to melt the cheese, and those few minutes make the difference between a sandwich that holds together and one that falls apart at first bite.
03 -
  • If your sandwiches are browning too quickly but the cheese isn't melting, place a lid over your skillet to trap the heat and let the residual warmth finish the job without burning the bread.
  • Make the chicken mixture the night before and store it in an airtight container so assembly becomes even faster—you can have lunch ready in under ten minutes on busy days.
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