Dessert

Cheesy Chicken Melt Recipe

ByElena Hart December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Introduction

The Cheesy Chicken Melt is a comforting sandwich that combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and fresh tomato, all toasted to golden perfection. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

A skillet dish with five golden-brown roasted chicken thighs placed on top of a bed of tomato-red orzo mixed with chopped red peppers and fresh green parsley leaves. The orzo has a slightly saucy texture and is cooked to a soft consistency. Cherry tomatoes and scattered parsley add pops of brighter red and green throughout the dish. A blue cloth is under the skillet handle on a white marbled surface, with some stray parsley leaves around. In the background, a white bowl with blue dots holds another serving of the orzo with one chicken thigh on top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked and chopped)
1 stalk celery (diced fine)

¼ cup mayonnaise
½ tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon sweet relish
½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper
4 slices colby jack cheese
2 tablespoons salted butter (softened)

2 tomato slices (sliced thin)
4 slices sourdough bread

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken breast, diced celery, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sweet relish, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly blended.

Step 2: Preheat a large, heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat.
Step 3: While the skillet heats, assemble the sandwiches. On a clean surface, lay out 2 slices of sourdough bread side by side. On each slice, place 2 slices of cheese, followed by a thin slice of tomato and half of the chicken mixture. Top each with the remaining bread slices.
Step 4: Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich, covering both top and bottom slices of bread.

Step 5: Place the sandwiches in the hot skillet, butter side down, and cook for about 4 minutes until the bread is browned and toasted.
Step 6: Flip the sandwiches carefully, pressing down gently with a flat spatula to ensure good contact with the skillet. Cook an additional 4 minutes until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese has melted. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Swap colby jack for cheddar or mozzarella for a different cheese flavor.

Add sliced avocado or crispy bacon inside the sandwich for extra richness.
Use whole grain or rye bread if you prefer a heartier texture.
For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Storage

Store any leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes on each side to restore crispness, or use a toaster oven. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the bread crisp.