Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

This chicken Philly cheesesteak recipe is my quick and delicious take on the classic Philly cheesesteak. It has a tender, seasoned chicken combined with sautéed onions and peppers, then topped with melty provolone cheese and served in a warm roll. It’s a hearty, flavorful combo that is easily my favorite sandwich! 

The Best Chicken Philly

The first time I went to Philadelphia, I got a classic steak cheesesteak and a chicken cheesesteak, and I fell in love with the chicken one. First off, I love chicken, but I've never had a chicken sub like it before. I've been dreaming about it ever since, so I had to create of version of a chicken philly cheesesteak.

The first time I made this recipe, it was a huge hit with my friends, and now it’s a regular request. Especially on football Sundays!

The combination of tender chicken, caramelized onions, and peppers with gooey cheese all tucked into a toasted roll is simply irresistible. What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make and how versatile it can be. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, swap out the cheese, or add your favorite veggies.

Whether you make this recipe for a quick dinner or a game day snack, this chicken philly cheesesteak always hits the spot.

Ingredients

You might be surprised that this recipe uses really common ingredients. I'm not kidding, check out what you need to make the chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning

And to complete the sandwiches:

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• ½ large red bell pepper, sliced
• ½ large yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese or 4 slices provolone
• 4 sausage rolls, deli sub rolls, or hoagie rolls
• 2 tablespoon mayonnaise

How to Make Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Step One: Season and Cook the Chicken

First up is prepare the chicken. Thinly slice the chicken breasts and add the slices to a bowl.

Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, black pepper, and AP seasoning in a small bowl. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the chicken and toss to coat the chicken in it.

Step Two: Sauté the Vegetables

In a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the onion slices and cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until the bottom starts to brown.

Stir, then add the sliced bell peppers and the remaining seasoning. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a plate.

Step Three: Cook the Chicken

Add another tablespoon of butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the seasoned chicken. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until it develops a golden color. Stir the chicken and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until it is fully cooked through.

Step Four: Combine and Melt the Cheese

Add the cooked vegetables back to the pan with the chicken and toss everything together. Spread the mixture into an even layer and take the pan off the heat. Sprinkle the provolone cheese over the top and allow it to melt from the residual heat.

Step Five: Assemble the Sandwiches

Heat the rolls and slice them open. You can butter them if desired. Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on each roll.

Divide the chicken and vegetable mixture into two separate piles in the pan, shaping them to fit the rolls. Scoop each pile into a warm roll and serve hot!

Expert Tips

• Thinly slice the chicken. For a classic cheesesteak texture, make sure to slice the chicken breasts very thinly. You could also pound the chicken with a meat mallet instead to thin it out.
• Marinate the chicken for extra flavor. While it's not a traditional part of the original chicken Philly, marinating the chicken in a bit of olive oil, garlic, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce before cooking can add an extra layer of flavor to your cheesesteak. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge for the best results.
• Cook the vegetables first: Always sauté the onions and peppers in the pan first, so when you cook the chicken, it takes on all of the delicious flavors.
• Butter the rolls. For an extra touch of indulgence, lightly butter the hoagie rolls and toast them in the skillet or under the broiler before assembling the subs. This adds a delicious crunch and helps prevent the bread from getting soggy. For more flavor, mix the butter with some garlic powder for a garlic bread flavor.

How to Store Leftover Philly Cheesesteaks

If you have any leftovers, store the chicken and vegetable mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You'll want to take the chicken off of the subroll since the roll will get soggy.

To reheat, warm the chicken in a skillet, then put it on a fresh roll.

FAQs About This Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute provolone with other types of cheese like mozzarella, cheddar cheese, or even pepper jack cheese for a bit of a kick.

What other vegetables can I add?

For a loaded sub, feel free to add mushrooms, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, spinach, or even jalapeños for extra flavor and spice. 

More Recipes with Chicken

If you love chicken as much as I do, you have to try some of my other recipes:

• Chicken gizzards
• BBQ chicken sliders
• Mexican street corn pasta salad
• Mississippi chicken
• Chicken and noodles
• One pan chicken and rice