The Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club is an iconic sandwich that combines juicy grilled chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a toasted multi-grain bun, all topped with the signature Honey Roasted BBQ sauce. This homemade version allows you to recreate the beloved restaurant sandwich with a few simple steps, making it a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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4 multi-grain or brioche hamburger buns
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4 slices Colby-Jack cheese (or your favorite cheese)
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4 slices cooked bacon
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1/4 cup mayonnaise
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1 tbsp honey mustard
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4 lettuce leaves
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4 tomato slices
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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Salt and black pepper to taste
Marinade (optional)
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1/4 cup pickle juice
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1/4 cup buttermilk
Directions
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Prepare the Chicken: Marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of pickle juice and buttermilk for 30 minutes to 1 hour for added flavor and tenderness (optional). Pat dry the chicken and season both sides with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. In the last 2 minutes of grilling, add a slice of cheese to each chicken breast to melt.
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Toast the Buns: Lightly toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in a toaster while the chicken is grilling.
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Assemble the Sandwiches: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and honey mustard. Spread the mixture on the top and bottom of each bun. Place a grilled chicken breast with melted cheese on the bottom bun, then layer with crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Top with the other half of the bun.
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Serve: Serve hot with your favorite side, such as waffle fries or a salad.
Nutrients
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Calories: ~500-600 kcal per sandwich
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Protein: ~40g
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Fat: ~25g
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Carbohydrates: ~40g
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Fiber: ~4g
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Sugar: ~5g
Tender Grilled Chicken: The Heart of the Sandwich
The foundation of any great chicken sandwich is the chicken itself, and in this version, juicy grilled chicken breasts are the star. For maximum flavor and tenderness, marinating the chicken in a mixture of pickle juice and buttermilk for 30 minutes to 1 hour is optional, but it adds an extra depth of flavor. The acidity of the pickle juice helps to tenderize the chicken, while the buttermilk adds richness and moisture.
If you prefer to skip the marination, the chicken is still perfectly delicious when seasoned with a simple blend of olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. The olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken, while the garlic powder and smoked paprika provide savory depth and a subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
Grilling for Flavor and Texture
Grilling the chicken breasts adds a wonderful smoky flavor and creates beautiful grill marks on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Preheating the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat ensures that the chicken cooks evenly without drying out. Grilling the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side should be enough to achieve an internal temperature of 165°F, guaranteeing that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.
In the last couple of minutes of grilling, adding a slice of Colby-Jack cheese on top of each chicken breast allows it to melt perfectly, creating a gooey, creamy texture that enhances the flavor of the grilled chicken. The combination of smoky grilled chicken and melted cheese gives each bite a satisfying richness that makes this sandwich stand out.
Crispy Bacon: The Crunch Factor
Crispy bacon is a must-have component of any club sandwich, and this one is no exception. The smoky, salty bacon complements the juicy grilled chicken and creamy cheese, adding a delicious crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, tender chicken. You can cook the bacon to your preferred level of crispness—whether you like it slightly chewy or extra crispy, it will add a savory, satisfying bite to the sandwich.
To cook the bacon, you can either use a skillet or bake it in the oven until it reaches your desired crispness. Once cooked, drain the bacon on paper towels to remove any excess grease, ensuring it stays crispy when added to the sandwich.
Toasted Buns: The Perfect Base
The multi-grain or brioche hamburger buns are an essential part of this sandwich, providing the perfect base for all the delicious fillings. Toasting the buns adds an extra layer of texture and flavor, giving the sandwich a slight crunch while still being soft enough to hold all the ingredients together. Toasting the buns on the grill or in a toaster ensures they don’t become soggy from the chicken and dressing, keeping the sandwich easy to eat and enjoyable with each bite.
Flavorful Dressing: The Sweet and Savory Sauce
The dressing for this sandwich is a simple combination of mayonnaise and honey mustard. The mayonnaise adds creaminess, while the honey mustard provides a tangy sweetness that complements the richness of the chicken and bacon. The sauce is spread on both the top and bottom buns to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
You can adjust the amount of honey mustard to suit your personal taste, depending on how sweet or tangy you prefer the sauce. For an extra twist, you could even add a bit of the Honey Roasted BBQ sauce that is a signature of the Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club for added sweetness and depth.
Assembling the Sandwich
Once the chicken is grilled and the buns are toasted, it’s time to assemble the sandwich. Spread the mayonnaise and honey mustard mixture on both halves of each toasted bun. Place a grilled chicken breast with melted cheese on the bottom bun, then layer on the crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato slices. The combination of these fresh ingredients adds crunch and balance to the sandwich, perfectly complementing the richness of the grilled chicken and bacon.
Top the sandwich with the other half of the bun and press it down gently to ensure everything stays in place. Let the sandwich rest for a minute or two before cutting it in half, allowing the flavors to meld and making it easier to enjoy.
Perfect Pairings: Serving the Sandwich
This Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich is delicious on its own, but you can serve it with your favorite sides to create a more complete meal. For a classic pairing, serve it with crispy waffle fries, a simple salad, or some fresh fruit to balance out the richness of the sandwich.
You can also customize the sandwich to your liking by adding other ingredients such as avocado slices, grilled onions, or pickles for extra flavor. The versatility of the sandwich allows you to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.
Nutritional Benefits
This Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich provides a balanced combination of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Each sandwich contains approximately 500-600 calories, with 40g of protein from the chicken and cheese, making it a filling and satisfying meal. The 25g of fat primarily comes from the cheese, mayonnaise, and bacon, adding richness and flavor to the sandwich. With about 4g of fiber, the sandwich also offers some nutritional value from the lettuce, tomato, and whole-grain bun.
The combination of lean chicken and vegetables makes this sandwich a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C from the tomato and lettuce, and calcium from the cheese. While the sandwich is indulgent, it can be part of a balanced meal when paired with healthy sides like a salad or vegetables.
Conclusion: A Flavorful and Satisfying Sandwich
The Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich is a perfect balance of savory grilled chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and fresh vegetables, all layered between a toasted multi-grain bun. This homemade version lets you enjoy the delicious flavors of the iconic sandwich in the comfort of your own home. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, this sandwich is a great choice for lunch, dinner, or any time you want to indulge in a satisfying, flavorful meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or planning to impress your guests with a delicious homemade version of a classic, this Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich will not disappoint. So fire up the grill and enjoy a homemade version of this iconic favorite today!