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Kick up your lunchtime game with my Chicken French Dip Sandwich. Tender sliced chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and gooey melted cheese with an herbed dipping broth. So good!

Get Out of Your Sandwich Rut – Make A Chicken French Dip Sandwich

My eldest son likes to tell a funny story about the time the Chairman slipped on some ice and broke his ankle, only days before I was due to leave town for a month-long book tour.

Being a good son, and having a job that allowed him to work remotely, he flew to town to care of his bedridden Dad in my absence. One of his duties involved making the meals.

At some point, our dear boy and his father, a normally active guy who was feeling understandably frustrated after days stuck in bed, had a slightly testy exchange. When my son pointed out all the things he was doing for his father, including all the cooking, the Chairman came back with, “Oh, don’t I know it. Sandwich, after sandwich, after sandwich.”

Sandwich, after sandwich, after sandwich has become a favorite family tagline around here, something we pull out in all kinds of situations. It always gets a laugh.

But sandwich ruts really are a thing! And during our very busy lives, it’s so easy to fall into one.

If you’re tired of making (and eating) the same old sandwich, after sandwich, after sandwich, this Chicken French Dip Sandwich is a delicious and easy way to shake up your routine!

Chicken French Dip Sandwich – A Fresh Twist on The Classic

A classic French dip sandwich is always tasty. But for those of us who are trying to limit our intake of red meat, this Chicken French Dip is a really great alternative (as you can see, chicken is one of my favorite proteins!).

But I think my version tastes even better!

In addition to a generous pile of thinly sliced chicken, another generous pile of caramelized onions adds a rich, savory sweetness. Slices of gooey melted cheese make it extra decadent. A wonderful chicken dipping broth flavored with fresh, fragrant herbs is an extra special finishing touch.

Everything about this scrumptious twist on the classic is special, a sandwich that will transform your lunchtime routine into a meal you’ll really enjoy.

And though they require a little more effort than a same-old-same old sandwich, Chicken French Dip Sandwiches are super easy to make.

What Do You Need to Make Chicken French Dip Sandwiches?

Before we get to the instructions for making your sandwiches, let’s go through the ingredient list and my recommendations for each….

Chicken Broth – If possible, homemade chicken broth is preferred here. But a good quality, low salt broth purchased from the store can work too. Why low salt? One, because most of us are getting too much sodium. Two, because a lower salt broth lets the flavor of the herbs come through.
Fresh Herbs – I used fresh rosemary and thyme. But you could substitute another robustly flavored herb, such as oregano or sage.
Onions – I prefer the yellow variety for this dish, but any variety of onions will work here.
Olive Oil – for cooking the onions
Butter – from grilling the sandwiches
Bread – I love marble rye for these sandwiches. Its hearty flavor complements the other ingredients beautifully. But any firm-textured bread, including sourdough, will be great.
Chicken – Freshly and thinly sliced chicken breast from the deli counter. You can use plain, but peppered or smoked flavors would be good too.
Cheese – I recommend Swiss, Monterrey Jack, Pepper Jack if you like a little heat or any semi-hard white cheese. What about cheddar, you ask? My feeling is that the other cheeses mentioned compliment the milder flavor of chicken and those wonderful caramelized onions perfectly, whereas cheddar might overpower the other flavors. If you’re just crazy for cheddar, go ahead and give it a try.

How To Make Chicken French Dip Sandwiches

Before you start making the sandwich, you’ll get the dipping broth going.

You’ll just the fresh herbs into the broth and let it simmer while you’re making the sandwiches. I was out of garlic (I know, I couldn’t believe it either) but I think I’ll add one large clove, sliced in half the next time.

While the broth is simmering, you’ll prepare the onions.

You just need to slice them very, very thinly. This is one of those times when I bring out my Borner V-Slicer. I’ve had mine for about fifteen years, and use it every week. A truly indispensable kitchen tool!

Next, you’ll cook the sliced onions in a little olive oil over medium heat until they turn a deep golden brown. Caramelizing onions takes time, probably 10-15 minutes. But the rich, sweet flavor you’ll get is more than worth it, so don’t rush this part!

When the onions are done, it’s time to assemble and grill your Chicken French Dip Sandwich.

Though you could melt the butter in the pan, I prefer to spread the softened butter on each slice of bread. It keeps me from using more butter than necessary and ensures that every slice is evenly grilled.

To cook the sandwiches, I put two slices of buttered bread in the skillet, add a slice of cheese, the chicken, the caramelized onions, and another cheese slice before putting the second slice of bread on top.

You can leave out the second slice of cheese if you want. However, I like how the two slices of melted cheese act as a kind of “glue”, so the sandwich holds together when you pick it up.

You’ll grill the sandwiches in the skillet over medium heat, flipping over halfway, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Finally, pour the warm broth through a fine mesh sieve to remove the herbs, and pour it into two small bowls. Cut the sandwiches into half, put them on a plate with the bowl of dipping broth, and enjoy!