Introduction

Oh boy, do I have a recipe that’s going to make your taste buds sing! Sometimes, the simple things in life are the absolute best, aren’t they? Like a warm, sunny afternoon, a good chat with a friend, or sinking your teeth into a truly fantastic sandwich. This isn’t just any sandwich, though. This is the kind of sandwich that makes you close your eyes for a second and just savor the moment. We’re talking juicy grilled chicken, ripe, summer-fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and the star of the show… heavenly garlic butter toasted bread. It’s easy, it’s quick enough for a weeknight, and it delivers on flavor in a big, big way. Get ready, because your lunch or dinner routine just got a serious upgrade!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons this sandwich will become an instant favorite in your home. Here are just a few:

Fast: From start to finish, you can have this deliciousness ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy days!
Easy: No complicated techniques here, just simple grilling, butter-spreading, and assembling. You got this!
Giftable: While not exactly “giftable” in the traditional sense, making these for friends and family is a sure way to win hearts. Think backyard BBQ hero!
Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and garlic bread? This sandwich is a guaranteed hit for almost everyone.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, friends! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this magic:

8 slices thick-cut bread: Texas toast, sourdough, or another hearty loaf works best. You want something sturdy enough to hold all that goodness and soak up the garlic butter!
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure it’s truly soft, like room temperature soft. This makes mixing and spreading a breeze.
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced: Fresh is absolutely key here for that punchy garlic flavor. Mince it up nice and fine!
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs: Or your favorite blend of parsley, oregano, and basil. This adds that classic, comforting Italian vibe.
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): If you like a little gentle warmth and zing, add these! Totally fine to skip if you prefer no heat.
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The perfect canvas for grilling.
Olive oil, for brushing: Just a little to help the seasoning stick and prevent sticking to the grill.
Salt, to taste: Essential for bringing out all the flavors.
Black pepper, to taste: Freshly ground is always best!
1-2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced: Look for juicy, flavorful tomatoes. They are a must for a fresh sandwich.
Green leaf lettuce or Romaine leaves: Provides that crucial crunch and coolness.
Mayonnaise, for spreading: Use your favorite! It adds creaminess and binds everything together.
Optional: Slices of cheddar, provolone, or Swiss cheese: A slice of melty cheese takes this over the top!
Optional: Sliced avocado: Creamy avocado is always a welcome addition, adding richness and healthy fats.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to sandwich bliss:

First things first, let’s make that amazing garlic butter! In a small bowl, grab your softened butter. Add the finely minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, and those optional red pepper flakes. Stir it all together really well until everything is combined. Set this flavorful mixture aside.
Now, prep your chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this helps them get a nice sear. Brush them lightly with olive oil on both sides, and then season generously with salt and black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning!
Time to grill! Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken on the grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side. How do you know it’s done? It should be cooked through (no pink inside!) and the juices should run clear when you poke it. Use a meat thermometer to be sure – it should reach 165°F (74°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes. This step is crucial for juicy chicken! While it’s resting, you can slice it against the grain or just leave the breasts whole, whatever you prefer for your sandwich size.
While the chicken rests, grab your bread slices. Remember that amazing garlic butter we made? Spread it evenly on one side of each slice of bread. Make sure you get right to the edges!
Now, let’s toast that bread! Place the buttered bread slices butter-side down on your grill or in a pan over medium heat. Toast them until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Watch them closely, garlic butter can toast quickly!
Okay, assembly time! This is where the magic happens. Grab your perfectly toasted garlic butter bread. Spread mayonnaise on the unbuttered side of each slice. Now, start layering! On one slice, pile on some fresh lettuce leaves, then those beautiful sliced tomatoes. Next comes the star chicken. If you’re using cheese or avocado, add those on top of the chicken.
Place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up. Press down gently, slice it in half if you like (makes it easier to eat!), and serve it up immediately!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is super flexible! Feel free to play around and make it your own:

Different Protein: Not feeling chicken? Grilled steak, pork tenderloin, or even portobello mushrooms would be fantastic substitutes.
Other Bread: Sourdough is amazing, but ciabatta rolls, brioche buns, or even a good crusty baguette sliced lengthwise would be delicious.
Cheese Please: Besides cheddar, provolone, or Swiss, try Pepper Jack for a kick, mozzarella for meltiness, or even some crumbled feta.
Sauce It Up: A drizzle of balsamic glaze, pesto, a spicy aioli, or even some ranch dressing could be fun additions.
Add Veggies: Grilled onions, roasted red peppers, spinach, or cucumbers would all be great additions to the sandwich layers.
Make it a Club: Add crispy bacon for a Garlic Butter Chicken LTO + Bacon situation!

Tips for Success

A few little pointers to make sure your sandwich turns out absolutely perfect:

Soften That Butter Properly: If your butter is too cold, it’s hard to mix and spread. Let it sit on the counter for at least 30-60 minutes.
Don’t Burn the Garlic Butter Bread: Keep an eye on the bread while toasting. Because of the butter, it can brown quickly. Toast it until golden, not dark brown or black.
Rest the Chicken!: Seriously, this is a non-negotiable step for juicy chicken. Resting allows the juices to redistribute.
Prep Ahead: You can grill and slice the chicken a day in advance and store it in the fridge. You can also make the garlic butter ahead of time. Just let the garlic butter soften a bit before spreading. Slice tomatoes right before assembling to keep them fresh.
Layering Order Matters: Putting lettuce and tomato directly on mayo’d bread can sometimes lead to sogginess if not eaten right away. Putting chicken or cheese down first can act as a slight barrier, but honestly, with garlic butter bread, you’ll eat it too fast for sogginess to be an issue!

How to Store It

Ideally, these sandwiches are best enjoyed right after assembling when the bread is warm and the ingredients are fresh. However, if you have leftovers or are prepping components:

Components: Store grilled chicken, sliced tomatoes, and lettuce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the garlic butter in the fridge for up to a week. Keep bread at room temperature in its original packaging or a bread box.
Assembled Sandwich: An assembled sandwich can be stored in the fridge for a day, but the bread might lose some of its crispness.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got some answers!

Q: Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?
A: Absolutely! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Let rest and slice as directed.

Q: What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
A: While fresh is best, you can use about 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder mixed into the butter as a substitute in a pinch. The flavor won’t be as intense, but it will still be tasty.

Q: Can I make a big batch of the garlic butter?
A: Yes! You can double or triple the garlic butter recipe and keep it stored in the fridge in an airtight container. It’s great for toast, pasta, or melting over veggies!

Q: Is Texas toast necessary?
A: Not necessary, but highly recommended! Its thickness is perfect for holding everything. Any hearty, thick-cut bread will work well though.

The Ultimate Garlic Butter Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe

This recipe features juicy grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and heavenly garlic butter toasted bread. It's easy, quick enough for a weeknight, and delivers big on flavor for a serious lunch or dinner upgrade.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings 4 sandwiches

Equipment

Small bowl For making garlic butter
Cutting board For resting and slicing chicken
Outdoor grill or indoor grill pan For grilling chicken and toasting bread
Meat thermometer Optional, for checking chicken temperature
Baking Sheet Alternative equipment for baking chicken

Ingredients

Sandwich Components

8 slices Thick-cut bread Texas toast, sourdough, or another hearty loaf
0.5 cup Unsalted butter Softened
2 Garlic Finely minced (2-3 cloves)
1 teaspoon Dried Italian herbs Or your favorite blend of parsley, oregano, and basil
0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional
2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Olive oil For brushing
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
1 Large ripe tomatoes Sliced (1-2)
Green leaf lettuce or Romaine leaves
Mayonnaise For spreading
Slices of cheese Optional: cheddar, provolone, or Swiss cheese
Sliced avocado Optional

Instructions

First things first, let's make that amazing garlic butter! In a small bowl, grab your softened butter. Add the finely minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, and those optional red pepper flakes. Stir it all together really well until everything is combined. Set this flavorful mixture aside.
Now, prep your chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this helps them get a nice sear. Brush them lightly with olive oil on both sides, and then season generously with salt and black pepper. Don't be shy with the seasoning!
Time to grill! Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. Once it's hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken on the grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side. How do you know it's done? It should be cooked through (no pink inside!) and the juices should run clear when you poke it. Use a meat thermometer to be sure – it should reach 165°F (74°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes. This step is crucial for juicy chicken! While it's resting, you can slice it against the grain or just leave the breasts whole, whatever you prefer for your sandwich size.
While the chicken rests, grab your bread slices. Remember that amazing garlic butter we made? Spread it evenly on one side of each slice of bread. Make sure you get right to the edges!
Now, let's toast that bread! Place the buttered bread slices butter-side down on your grill or in a pan over medium heat. Toast them until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Watch them closely, garlic butter can toast quickly!
Okay, assembly time! This is where the magic happens. Grab your perfectly toasted garlic butter bread. Spread mayonnaise on the unbuttered side of each slice. Now, start layering! On one slice, pile on some fresh lettuce leaves, then those beautiful sliced tomatoes. Next comes the star chicken. If you're using cheese or avocado, add those on top of the chicken.
Place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up. Press down gently, slice it in half if you like (makes it easier to eat!), and serve it up immediately!

Notes

Tips for Success:
- Soften butter properly: Let it sit on the counter for at least 30-60 minutes.
- Don't burn the garlic butter bread: Watch closely while toasting.
- Rest the chicken: Crucial for juicy chicken.
- Prep ahead: Grill chicken and make garlic butter in advance. Slice tomatoes right before assembling.
Storage:
- Components: Store grilled chicken, sliced tomatoes, and lettuce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Keep garlic butter in the fridge for up to a week. Keep bread at room temperature.
- Assembled Sandwich: Can be stored in the fridge for a day, but bread may lose crispness.
Substitutions & Additions:
- Protein: Grilled steak, pork tenderloin, or portobello mushrooms.
- Bread: Ciabatta rolls, brioche buns, or a crusty baguette.
- Cheese: Pepper Jack, mozzarella, crumbled feta.
- Sauce: Balsamic glaze, pesto, spicy aioli, ranch dressing.
- Veggies: Grilled onions, roasted red peppers, spinach, cucumbers.
- Make it a Club: Add crispy bacon.
FAQ:
- Can bake chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), bake for 20-25 mins until 165°F (74°C).
- Fresh garlic substitute: Use about 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in butter.
- Can make big batch of garlic butter: Yes, store in fridge, let soften before using.
- Texas toast: Highly recommended for thickness, but any hearty, thick-cut bread works.