California Chicken Club Sandwich

Indulge in a delicious and easy-to-make California Chicken Club Sandwich on a ciabatta roll with seasoned chicken, smoky bacon, fresh tomato, buttery avocado, and tangy dijonnaise. Ready in just 15 minutes, this sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Packed with flavor, it’s the ultimate sandwich that everyone will love.

How about some other great sandwich ideas? Try our Classic Egg Salad, versatile Avocado Chicken Salad, and family-favorite Flank Steak Sliders, Chopped Italian Sandwiches, and Pepperoni Pizza Sliders.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Club Sandwich

First, how can anyone not love a club sandwich, with or without avocado?  Chicken Bacon Swiss, fresh fruits and vegetables in one shot, sans the extra slice of bread? Between you and me, I’m not crying about the loss! It’s the best version of a classic club sandwich!

• Hearty and filling, a rejuvenated stick-to-your-ribs sandwich that is hearty and filling to power your day without slowing you down.
• A 21st-century chicken club sandwich recipe cuts out unnecessary refined carbs, which is good for your wallet and your waistline!
• Creamy, heart-healthy avocado is a nutrient powerhouse that fits right in with a renewed club sandwich.
• A tasty and robust club sandwich that isn’t just a lunch entree.
• Ready in just 15 minutes!

Ingredients For The Modern Clubhouse Sandwich

This California club sandwich modernizes a classic chicken club sandwich by removing the extra layer of bread (extra carbs) found in traditional club sandwich recipes.

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Chicken Breast – Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves. 
• Flour – This can be omitted if you’d rather grill your chicken. The leftover flour dredge will be discarded.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning – This full-flavored seasoning contains lemon peel, cracked black peppercorns, and usually salt, as well as onion, garlic, and lemon oil. 
• Olive Oil – for sauteing the chicken. Regular or cooking olive oil is preferable over EVOO, but all of them are healthy choices. You won’t need the oil if you choose to grill the chicken.
• Mayonnaise – Light or regular, if you prefer, is the base of the delicious spread for the club sandwich.
• Dijon Mustard – a robust, sharp, and salty mustard made with a low-acid liquid (usually white wine) that enhances the spicier brown and black mustard seeds.
• Honey – lightly sweetens and balances the salty, savory heat of the mustard.  
• Paprika – slightly sweet, fruity, peppery flavor adds zest and color to the dijonnaise sandwich spread.
• Ciabatta Or Kaiser Rolls – split in half. Feel free to toast the rolls if you prefer.
• Swiss Cheese – sandwich-sized slices. You can use other sliced cheeses if you prefer: Monterey Jack, Provolone, White Cheddar, Pepper Jack or Gruyere are all great choices.
• Lettuce Leaves – washed, drained, and patted with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Ripe Avocado – halved, pitted, peeled, and sliced. 
• Bacon – cooked until crisp and drained on a paper towel.
• Tomato Slices – a large beefsteak or heirloom tomato makes a nice slicing tomato. The fruit should be flush with color and firm but fragrant.

Chef’s Tip: If you don’t have a serrated tomato knife, use a serrated knife that is sharp enough to slide through the skin without mushing or bruising the fruit. Turn the tomato on its side and carefully slice it down across the core with a gentle sawing motion. Remember, once you get past the skin, the fruit slices easily.

Which is better for this sandwich recipe, the ciabatta or Kaiser roll?

I know the “whichever you prefer” answer can be as annoying as the “the one you like best” answer. But that’s the fact, Jack! Here is a brief description of both rolls for an updated club sandwich.

• Ciabatta roll is a broad, flattened, artisan bread with a chewier crust and soft, airy, dense texture. Ciabatta rolls are usually square, with large irregular holes from a high (80%) water content. These rolls have a tangy, slightly sourdough flavor, wonderful for a California chicken sandwich.
• Kaiser rolls are also called hard rolls, with a distinct five-section swirl top (crown) that is plain or sprinkled with sesame or poppy seeds. They are yeast-risen rolls with a chewy crust and a fluffy, dense texture. An excellent sandwich roll that holds up to the stacked chicken club ingredients!

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Let’s Make A California Club Sandwich!

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Dredge the chicken cutlets in the flour and lemon pepper. 
2. Cook* breaded cutlet over medium-high heat in a skillet until lightly browned and the internal temperature is 165° F.
3. Combine mayonnaise, mustard, honey, and paprika to make the spread.
4. Spread the mayo mix on the bread. Top with chicken, bacon, Swiss cheese, and remaining ingredients as desired. 
5. If needed, hold a club sandwich in place with long skewers.
6. Serve with a pickle spear and fries or chips.

*Grill Option: For a lighter option, season chicken cutlets with seasoned salt, and lemon pepper and grill over medium indirect heat for about 5 minutes per side until 165° F.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Split each chicken breast horizontally into two thinner pieces using a sharp knife. Place each cutlet between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and lightly pound to even thickness if needed.
• Lightly toast the soft inside of a Kaiser roll to add a crispy contrast to the chewy outer crust. Allow it to cool before applying the homemade dijonnaise spread on the chicken club sandwich.
• If you prep the avocado slices in advance, gently slide them into a plastic bag, splash them with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, and refrigerate.

Serving Suggestions

In my opinion, the classic accompaniments for a club sandwich are chips and a pickle for a light lunch, a hectic workday meal, and especially on family game night. I’m good to go. If you want to build a dinner, afternoon get-together, or picnic around this chicken club sandwich recipe, here are some great dishes to go with:

Salads: 

• Creamy Cucumber Salad 
• Easy Ambrosia Salad
• Bacon Spinach Salad
• Fresh Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salad

Potato Sides:

• Tater Tots
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Loaded Twice Baked Potato
• Hot German Potato Salad

Desserts:

• Easy Peach Cobbler
• Sugar Cookie Bars
• Frozen Strawberry Dessert
• The Best Brownies