After a long day, I found myself in a rush to get dinner on the table and thought, ‘How hard can it be?’ I tested this Chicken Philly Cheesesteak recipe a few times to nail the seasoning. Now it’s a go-to for busy weeknights, and my family loves it—David always asks for extra mayo!
Cooking the chicken until it’s golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F is key. This step ensures the chicken is safe to eat and develops rich flavor through the Maillard reaction, making the sandwich satisfying.
Ingredients in Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
This Chicken Philly Cheesesteak is all about the flavors that come together to create a quick and satisfying meal. Let’s break down the ingredients that make this dish stand out.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Tender and juicy, they stay moist when cooked and soak up the seasonings well.
- Poultry Seasoning: Adds depth with a blend of herbs that complements the chicken.
- Onion Powder: Provides a savory base flavor that enhances the overall taste.
- Garlic Powder: Boosts the savory notes and enriches the dish with its aromatic profile.
- Smoked Paprika: Introduces a subtle smokiness that rounds out the dish.
- Yellow Onion: Offers a crisp-tender texture and sweetness when sautéed.
- Red Pepper: Brings a hint of sweetness and color to the mix.
- Yellow Pepper: Adds more sweetness and a touch of crunch when cooked.
- Green Pepper: Gives freshness and a slight bitterness that balances the flavors.
- Chicken Bouillon Paste: Intensifies the chicken flavor, making the dish more robust.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning, it enhances all the other flavors.
- Black Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the dish.
- Garlic Paste: Infuses a strong garlic flavor that’s rich and aromatic.
- Mayo: Contributes creaminess and a slight tang that balances the savory elements.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, it helps to develop flavors and prevents sticking.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- A1 Steak Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a punch of umami to the chicken and veggies.
- Provolone Cheese: Melts beautifully over the chicken, creating a gooey, satisfying finish.
- Hoagie Rolls: Perfect for holding all the filling together.
- Key Technique: Cooking Chicken to 165°F: Ensures it’s safely cooked while developing rich flavor through the Maillard reaction.
How to Make Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
This Chicken Philly Cheesesteak comes together in about 35 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights. Let’s dive into the steps to whip up this meal.
Slice Chicken: Thinly slice boneless skinless chicken thighs. Season them with poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chicken bouillon paste, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well until every piece is coated.
Mix Mayo: In a small bowl, combine garlic paste with mayo. Stir until smooth and set aside. This mix adds creaminess later, so don’t skip it!
Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it’s golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Your kitchen will smell incredible as it cooks!
Cook Veggies: Remove the chicken and add sliced yellow onion and the sliced peppers (red, yellow, and green). Add sugar, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 8-10 minutes until the veggies are softened and browned.
Combine Everything: Add the chicken back to the skillet and pour in A1 steak sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine all flavors.
Toast Rolls: Preheat your oven to broil. Cut the hoagie rolls in half and toast them inside down for about 3-4 minutes until golden. Watch closely to avoid burning!
Assemble: Slather the toasted rolls with the mayo mix and top with provolone cheese. Broil for 1-3 minutes until the cheese is melty.
Enjoy your Chicken Philly Cheesesteak and don’t forget to share it with someone who’ll appreciate it!
Switch It Up: Easy Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous or need to work with what you have, here are some variations to keep things fresh and fit your busy schedule.
- Italian Seasoning Substitute: Swap out the poultry seasoning for Italian seasoning to give your chicken a different flavor profile that’s still tasty.
- Cheese Swap: If you’re not a provolone fan, you can replace it with white American cheese for that melty goodness.
- Rolls Substitution: Can’t find hoagie rolls? Look for a comparable sub roll at your local bakery or grocery store to hold everything together.
- Chicken Type Variation: You can use boneless chicken breasts or ground chicken instead of chicken thighs for a different texture.
- Rotisserie Chicken Option: To save time, shred leftover chicken or use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking it from scratch. It’ll cut your prep time significantly.
- Mushroom Addition: Sautéed mushrooms can be added for extra savory flavor.
- Jalapeno Addition: Add jalapenos for a spicy kick if you like heat.
These tweaks can make this recipe feel new each time you make it!
Storing Leftover Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It’s best to let everything cool down before sealing it up to prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the filling for about 3 months; just remember to separate the hoagie rolls for best results.
For reheating, I recommend using a skillet on low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep things moist while you stir it often. This way, you’ll avoid burning and keep the flavors vibrant. You can toast the hoagie rolls again for a nice crunch before assembling your sandwich!
What to Serve Alongside Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
This Chicken Philly Cheesesteak is a hearty meal on its own, but adding a few sides can really enhance the experience. Think about balancing the rich, savory flavors of the sandwich with something crisp and refreshing.
Perfect Side Dishes
- Slice them into smaller servings and place them on a platter for parties: This makes it easy for everyone to grab a bite and enjoy the flavors together.
- Serve with a little BBQ sauce: It adds a nice tangy contrast to the savory sandwich.
- French fries: A classic pairing that everyone loves.
- Coleslaw: The crunch and creaminess complement the sandwich well.
- Potato chips: For that extra crunch on the side.
- Pickles: Their acidity provides a nice contrast to the richness of the cheesesteak.
What sides do you prefer with your cheesesteaks? I’d love to hear how you make this dish your own!
Chicken Philly Cheesesteak for Game Day Delight
Ingredients
Method
- Slice chicken thighs thinly. Add to a large mixing bowl and season with poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chicken bouillon paste, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix together and ensure that all of the chicken is coated.
- In a small bow, combine garlic paste and mayo in a small bowl. Mix together and set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is warmed, cook the sliced chicken thighs, about 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and thoroughly cooked (internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees F). Remove from the skillet and place on a plate to rest.
- Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet and add the yellow onions, peppers, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until slightly softened and browned. Once the peppers and onions have softened, add the chicken back into the skillet and mix everything together. Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to the broil setting.
- Add 2 tbsps butter to a skillet and allow it to melt completely over medium heat. Cut the hoagie rolls in half and place the inside of the roll flat onto the skillet. Toast for 3-4 minutes. (depending on the size of the skillet, you may have to do 1 roll at a time). Then add 1-2 tbsps mayo and slather the inside of the roll. Top with two slices of cheese. Broil the rolls for 1-3 minutes until the cheese has fully melted, watch closely.
- Scoop the chicken and vegetables onto the hoagie roll. Garnish with banana peppers.
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