Tasty Apple-Cheddar Chicken Melts Recipe for Lunch Magic

Sizzling sandwiches with apple cheddar & chicken melts have a way of turning an ordinary lunch into a culinary adventure.

Crisp apple slices add a surprising burst of sweetness to this savory creation.

The combination of sharp cheddar and tender chicken creates a harmony of flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Warm, golden-brown bread cradles this delightful mixture, promising a satisfying meal in every bite.

Perfectly balanced between rustic comfort and gourmet appeal, these melts bring excitement to your plate.

You’ll love how quickly this recipe comes together, making it ideal for busy weekdays or leisurely weekends.

Dive into this mouthwatering sandwich that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Apple, Cheddar & Chicken Melts – What Goes In

• Sourdough Bread: Tangy and sturdy base that provides a perfect crispy foundation for the melt, look for fresh, artisan-style loaf with good texture.
• Butter: Helps create golden, crispy exterior and adds rich, creamy flavor when spread on bread's surface.
• Honey Mustard: Adds zesty, sweet-tangy layer that complements chicken and provides moisture to the sandwich.

• Shredded Chicken: Lean, tender protein that serves as the main filling, best when freshly cooked and seasoned.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese that creates delicious golden crust and adds robust flavor, choose aged variety for more intense taste.

• Apple: Crisp, sweet element that provides refreshing crunch and balances rich sandwich, select firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
• Brussels Sprouts: Adds earthy, slightly bitter notes and provides extra nutritional boost, choose fresh, compact sprouts.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens slaw, prevents apple from browning, and adds subtle acidic punch.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall flavor profile of slaw and sandwich.

Must-Have Tools for Chicken Melts with Apple & Cheddar

• Baking Sheet: Large, flat metal pan for even oven heating and cooking.
• Oven Mitts: Thick, protective hand coverings to safely handle hot baking sheets.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing ingredients and assembling sandwiches.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing bread and cutting sandwiches in half.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing slaw ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Tool for shredding cheddar cheese quickly and evenly.
• Measuring Spoons: For precise seasoning and lemon juice measurement.

Toasting Apple, Cheddar & Chicken Melts Perfectly

• Oven Preparation

Heat oven to toasty temperature and place baking sheet on middle rack.

• Bread Setup

Layer soft butter on one side of bread slices and spread tangy honey mustard on four slices.

• First Baking Stage

Carefully transfer heated baking sheet from oven and arrange bread butter-side down.

• Protein and Cheese Distribution

Sprinkle tender shredded chicken across honey mustard bread and scatter golden cheddar on remaining slices.

• Melting Magic

Slide baking sheet back into oven and bake until cheese transforms into bubbling goodness.

• Fresh Slaw Creation

Mix crisp apple strips and shredded Brussels sprouts with zesty lemon juice, seasoning with salt and pepper.

• Sandwich Assembly

Pull bread from oven, layer chicken slice with vibrant slaw, then crown with cheesy slice.

• Final Touch

Slice sandwiches diagonally and serve warm for maximum flavor explosion.

Chicken Melt Flavor Tips

• Swap cheddar with Gruyère, Swiss, or smoked gouda for a unique flavor profile that adds depth to your melts.
• Replace chicken with pulled pork, turkey, or crispy bacon to create delicious alternative protein options that keep the sandwich exciting.
• Try using whole grain, rye, or rustic country bread instead of sourdough to change the sandwich's texture and nutritional value.
• Drizzle hot sauce, sprinkle red pepper flakes, or add a dash of smoked paprika to give your melts an extra kick of heat and complexity.

Serving Hot Apple, Cheddar & Chicken Melts

• Picnic Perfect Sandwich Companion: Pack these melts in a cooler with an ice pack for a delightful outdoor lunch that stays fresh and tasty.
• Crisp and Colorful Side Partner: Serve the sandwich alongside extra slaw or a small green salad to add brightness and balance to the rich, cheesy melts.
• Wine and Brew Pairing Delight: Complement the savory chicken and sharp cheddar with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light wheat beer that cuts through the richness.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform any remaining slaw and chicken into a quick salad topping or wrap filling for a next-day lunch surprise that extends the meal's enjoyment.

Storage Instructions for Chicken Melts

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover sandwich components separately in airtight containers. Chicken, slaw, and bread should be kept apart to maintain individual textures for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Quick Meal Prep: Shred chicken and grate cheese in advance during weekend cooking sessions. These pre-prepared ingredients cut weeknight meal assembly time by 15-20 minutes.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Revive sandwiches by using a skillet instead of microwave. Warm on medium-low heat with a light butter coating to restore crispy bread edges and prevent sogginess.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Wrap individual chicken portions in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air. Frozen chicken remains delicious for 2-3 months when sealed correctly, offering convenient future meal options.

Gourmet Apple, Cheddar & Chicken Melts

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comforting apple, cheddar & chicken melts blend savory and sweet flavors in a rustic sandwich. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and crisp apple slices create irresistible harmony for hearty lunch satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 cups chicken (shredded, cooked)
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
• 8 slices sourdough bread (½-inch-thick, from a 9-inch round boule)
• 4 tbsps (57 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 tsp honey mustard
• 1 Gala apple (small, cored and cut into matchsticks)
• 4 oz (113 g) Brussels sprouts (about 5, finely shredded)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C), positioning a baking sheet on the middle rack to ensure optimal heat distribution.
2. Bread Preparation: Butter one side of sourdough slices, applying honey mustard to the opposite side of four bread pieces.
3. Initial Baking: Remove hot baking sheet and place bread butter-side down, then layer shredded chicken on honey mustard-coated slices and sprinkle grated cheddar on remaining bread.
4. Melting Phase: Bake for approximately 10 minutes until cheese becomes perfectly melted and bread turns golden brown.
5. Slaw Creation: Simultaneously prepare quick slaw by combining apple matchsticks and shredded Brussels sprouts, dressing with lemon juice and seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Assembly: Remove baked items from oven, transfer chicken-topped slices to cutting board, top with vibrant apple-Brussels sprout slaw, and complete sandwiches by placing cheese-covered bread slices on top.
7. Serving: Slice melts diagonally and serve immediately, showcasing the harmonious blend of warm chicken, melted cheddar, and crisp slaw.

Notes

• Preheat Precisely: Ensure oven reaches 450°F and baking sheet is scorching hot for perfect golden-crisp bread edges.
• Butter Technique: Spread butter on one side of bread generously for maximum crispiness and rich flavor development.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Watch closely during the 10-minute baking period to achieve perfectly melted, bubbling cheddar without burning.
• Slaw Freshness Factor: Prepare slaw just before serving to maintain crisp texture and bright, zesty flavors of apple and Brussels sprouts.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg