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    Grilled Chicken Sandwich

    August 14, 2025 / By Holly Erickson

    With tender, juicy marinated chicken breasts, grilled and piled into a bun then topped with melty cheese, creamy sauce and marinated tomatoes, these grilled chicken sandwiches are perfection.

    a grilled chicken sandwich with provolone, marinated tomatoes, balsamic mayo & avocado, the perfect summer sandwich
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    A simple mayo-based sauce is the key to making these majorly loaded grilled chicken sandwiches as magically easy as they are yummy! I love when an ingredient does double-duty, and here a simple sauce of mayo and balsamic serves as a marinade for the chicken (mayo marindates FTW!) and as a sauce for the finished chicken sandwiches, too.

    ingredients laid out on a flat surface to make juicy grilled chicken sandwiches with balsamic mayo and marinated tomatoes

    After a few hours in the marinade, it’s almost impossible NOT to grill the chicken to its tender, juicy best. Pile that chicken into buns with every delicious topping and bite into a summer dinner that everyone will adore. Want more hearty dinner sandwiches? Try this Fried Chicken Sandwich, or yummy vegetarian Caprese Sandwich. 

    balsamic mayo being made in a bowl by mixing mayo and balsamic vinegar

    Why We LOVE Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

    • Mayo marinated grilled chicken! Marinating chicken breasts in mayonnaise is one of my favorite tricks for making chicken tender and juicy. 
    • So many delicious toppings: Marinated tomatoes, cheese and mayo-balsamic sauce make this sandwich anything but boring.
    • Melty provolone cheese: This recipe is a nod to my mom, who loves marinated tomatoes and always had provolone cheese from the deli in the fridge when I was a kid. 
    • You can prep ingredients ahead of time: Makes life easy if you’re grilling these for a barbecue or cookout. 
    • This recipe is FLEXIBLE. Everyone can assemble their sandwiches however they like, whether that’s piled high with every topping on the list, or just a plain bun with grilled chicken.  
    seasoned chicken breasts being pounded flat with a rolling pin between parchment paper to make a grilled chicken sandwich
    seasoned chicken breasts marinating in balsamic mayo to make an italian inspired grilled chicken sandwich

    Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ingredients 

    • Chicken: Pounded thin and marinated, the chicken breasts become so yummy. You can use chicken thighs, too, that’s what you have handy. 
    • Cheese: Provolone is my favorite, but it’s fine to use what you have. 
    • Sauce: The mayo-balsamic vinegar mixture is also a spread for the sandwich. 
    • Buns: Brioche buns are my favorite, because they’re buttery and rich, but any burger buns you love would work fine. 
    • Marinated tomatoes: You can prep these up to a day or two ahead of time.
    marinated tomatoes being made in a bowl with balsamic, basil, olive oil and garlic

    Step By-Step Instructions

    1. Pound the chicken to about ¾-inch thickness.
    2. Marinate the chicken breasts in mayo and balsamic for up to 4 hours. 
    3. Make the marinated tomatoes. 
    4. Grill the chicken! Just until you see an internal temperature of 165°F, then pull those chicken breasts off the grill.
    5. Assemble the sandwiches. 
    6. Dig in! I like to serve them with chips, corn on the cob, and a fruit salad on the side. 
    chicken breasts marinated in balsamic mayo being cooked on a grill

    Tips For Sandwich Perfection 

    • Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness, so that you don’t overcook the chicken. 
    • You can let the chicken marinate for up to 4 hours if you want even more flavor. 
    • Pound the chicken thin with a meat mallet so that it cooks evenly. If you don’t have a meat mallet, a rolling pin will work.  
    brioche buns being topped with juicy grilled chicken, provolone, marinated tomatoes, balsamic mayo & avocado

    Variations & FAQ

    • How to make this sandwich without a grill: You can absolutely cook the chicken in a skillet or grill pan on your stovetop. The sandwich will still be delicious. 
    • Make it dairy-free: Leave off the cheese, or use a vegan brand (there are so many good ones now) and you’re good. 
    • Swap in a different cheese: Havarti, mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar or even Jack cheese would all work. 
    • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for an even richer flavor
    • Add even more toppings: Crispy bacon, potato chips (yes, IN the sandwich), sliced pickles, grilled asparagus, a layer of hummus.
    a grilled chicken sandwich with provolone, marinated tomatoes, balsamic mayo & avocado, the perfect summer sandwich

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    Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe

    Published August 14, 2025

    By Holly Erickson

    • Serves:  4
    • Prep Time:  20 min
    • Cook Time:  15 min
    • Calories:  866
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    With tender, juicy marinated chicken breasts, grilled and piled into a bun then topped with melty cheese, creamy sauce and marinated tomatoes, these grilled chicken sandwiches are perfection.

    Ingredients

    • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (about 2 pounds)
    • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
    • 4 slices provolone cheese
    • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
    • 4 brioche buns,, sliced and toasted

    Marinated Tomatoes

    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 4 fresh basil leaves, julienned, (plus more for serving)
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • Freshly cracked black pepper
    • 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced into ¼-inch-rounds

    Balsamic Mayo and Marinade

    • ¾ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

    Method

    1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken into an even ¾-inch thickness. Season all over with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a large bowl.

      seasoned chicken breasts being pounded flat with a rolling pin between parchment paper to make a grilled chicken sandwich

    2. Make the balsamic mayo. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and balsamic. Add ¼ cup of the balsamic mayo, to the bowl with the chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Set aside. 

      balsamic mayo being made in a bowl by mixing mayo and balsamic vinegar

    3. Make the marinated tomatoes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, salt and pepper. Add the tomato slices and toss gently to coat.

      marinated tomatoes being made in a bowl with balsamic, basil, olive oil and garlic

    4. Preheat the grill to high heat. Place the chicken on the grill, then reduce the heat to medium-high. Cover and cook until char marks appear, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and continue cooking, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, 7 to 8 more minutes.

      chicken breasts marinated in balsamic mayo being cooked on a grill

    5. Top each chicken breast with a slice of provolone. Close the grill lid and cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the grill and let rest for 2 minutes. 

      balsamic chicken being cooked on a grill with provolone cheese melting on top

    6. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the remaining balsamic mayo on the toasted sides of each bun. On the bottom buns, layer the grilled chicken, marinated tomatoes (letting excess  marinade drip off), avocado slices, and additional basil, if using. Top with the remaining bun halves, mayo side down.  

      brioche buns being topped with juicy grilled chicken, provolone, marinated tomatoes, balsamic mayo & avocado

    7. Serve warm.

      a grilled chicken sandwich with provolone, marinated tomatoes, balsamic mayo & avocado, the perfect summer sandwich

    Notes

    For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the balsamic mayo for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. The longer marination time will result in more tender, flavorful chicken.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 866
    • Protein 57 g
    • Carbohydrates 33 g
    • Total Fat 57 g
    • Dietary Fiber 3 g
    • Cholesterol 185 mg
    • Sodium 1542 mg
    • Total Sugars 8 g

    Grilled Chicken Sandwich

    Questions & Reviews

    Rated 5 stars by 1 reader

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      Any questions?

      Need to change up some ingredients? Unsure about a step in the method? Click the Ask a Question button above. We’re here for you.

    • Anne

      5-star rating

      This was delicious perfection!

      Thanks Anne, we are thrilled you loved it!

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