Pic Credit: inquiringchef
Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks are a great twist on the classic Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. This recipe calls for tender chicken breasts or thighs instead of thinly sliced steak, so it is a healthier alternative but is just as delicious. Sautéed peppers and onions, melted cheese, and all the flavors you could love in a Philly Cheesesteak will have this a new family favorite in no time.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
To make this delightful Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 slices provolone or white American cheese
- 4 hoagie rolls, split lengthwise
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Slice the chicken breasts or thighs in thin cuts, ensuring uniform cooking and a finer texture. If the pieces of chicken are too big, they cannot cook well; portions might come out dry while some portions may not cook well.
- Be careful with the skillets and hot oil to avoid burns. It’s always a good idea to use oven mitts or a towel whenever coming in contact with hot surfaces.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, or 75°C. It’s a good rule of thumb for food safety, especially when working with poultry.
Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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For the richest flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. These have a higher fat content and tend to be generally more tender than chicken breasts. If you're looking for something much leaner or just want to take care of your fat intake, chicken breasts do just as well.
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Traditionally, Provolone cheese makes Philly Cheesesteaks for its great melting ability and creamy, rich texture. If you really want to go for creamy, indulgent flavor, then you can use white American cheese.
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For the best texture and flavor, you want a fresh, crusty hoagie roll. The bread has to be sturdy enough that it holds up to the filling without being soggy while you eat it. If you can't find hoagie rolls, you can use sub rolls or Italian bread, but the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. The garlic powder adds depth to the savoriness-just enough and perfect to complement the other flavors within this dish. Go ahead and add just a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you like the spice kick.
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In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken; cook 5-7 minutes, occasionally stirring, until cooked through. It should be heated hot enough that it would give a good sear to the chicken, keeping it juicy and with a caramelized touch in flavor. Make sure the chicken is in one layer so each of the chicken pieces would brown properly. Set the chicken aside once cooked in a skillet.
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In that same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high. Add sliced peppers and onions. Cook 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly charred, stirring occasionally. The high heat, along with the short cooking time, will help keep the peppers and onions crispy and sweet. If you like your vegetables softer, you can definitely cook them longer over a lower heat.
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Return the chicken to the skillet along with the peppers and onions. Stir to combine, allowing all flavors to melt into one. The chicken should be hot, and the vegetables still slightly firm.
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Place the slices of cheese on top of the chicken and vegetable mixture. Put the cover on the skillet and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Covering it helps to trap the heat for it to melt evenly and form a gooey, irresistible topping. If you want the cheese brown, you can remove the cover and broil the sandwiches for a minute or two, watching carefully so that they don't burn.
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Divide the mixture of Chicken Philly Cheesesteak amongst the hoagie rolls. Serve immediately, while hot. The warm, toasted rolls really give way to the flavors of chicken and oozed cheese to create a satisfying and delicious sandwich.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Replace chicken with thinly sliced rib-eye steak for the authentic Philly Cheesesteak flavor. The beef gives the rich, beefy taste so crucial to the authentic Philly Cheesesteak.
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Feel free to experiment with different cheese styles: provolone, white American, or, if you really want that Philly flavor, do it right with Cheez Whiz. Mix and match, even, for a special cheese flavor of your very own.
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Add the mushrooms that are sautéed for more flavor and texture. Mushrooms have a very good compatibility with other ingredients in the sandwich, and it brings an earthy note of umami flavor.
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Add the red and green colors of bell peppers for more color to the presentation. The colors in contrast make the sandwich visually appealing and fresh.
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Serve the Chicken Philly Cheesesteak with fries or a fresh salad for a complete meal. The crispy fries or a tangy salad provide a nice textural and flavorful contrast to the richness of the sandwich.
EQUIPMENT
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Large skillet
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Sharp knife
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Tongs or spatula
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Cutting board
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Meat thermometer
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
- Lightly toast hoagie rolls and then assemble the sandwiches. It can be done either in the toaster oven or a dry skillet at medium heat until about a minute or two on each side.
- Place hot sauce or other such condiments on the side for those who want an added flavor. It's that little amount of hot sauce that gives just about enough kick to the sandwich. Conversely, other condiments like mayonnaise or mustard will give a creamy or tangy contrast.
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