This Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe is an easy family favorite you’ll want to make on repeat. Tender marinated chicken breasts are grilled to perfection, topped with a quick homemade honey mustard sauce, and finished with fresh toppings (don’t forget the pickles!).
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Flavor: This sandwich delivers a savory, smoky flavor with tender marinated chicken, tangy-sweet honey mustard, and crisp fresh toppings.
- Tools: A meat mallet helps create evenly sized chicken breasts for consistent cooking, while an instant-read thermometer ensures the chicken reaches a safe temperature without overcooking.
- Serving Suggestions: Set out a variety of toppings and sauces so everyone can build their own. Pair these sandwiches with my favorite dill pickle pasta salad or a classic potato salad for the ultimate backyard meal!
Total Time: 1 hour (including marinating time) Servings: 4 Cooking Method: Grilled
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts: Pound chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness so they cook quickly and evenly on the grill. Thin chicken cutlets are a convenient option when you want to save time on prep. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a flavorful and forgiving alternative to chicken breasts.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang while helping tenderize the chicken for a juicier, more flavorful result. White wine vinegar can be used as a mild substitute.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the vinegar and encourages browning. Honey can be substituted, although the chicken may brown a little faster.
- Hamburger Buns or Brioche Rolls: Brioche adds a soft texture and subtle sweetness, while a sturdy hamburger bun offers a more classic sandwich base. Toasting either option enhances the flavor and helps keep the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Honey Mustard Sauce: Adds a creamy, sweet, and tangy flavor that complements the grilled chicken. A homemade ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or garlic aioli can be used as a flavorful alternative.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Breasts
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- Combine the marinade and coat the chicken, then refrigerate (full recipe below).
- Grill the chicken until browned and cooked. Toast the buns on the grill.
- Add honey mustard, chicken, and desired toppings.
Save Every Juicy Bite
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Keep the buns, sauce, and fresh toppings in separate containers (do not freeze the toppings!).
Backyard Cookout Favorites
Did you enjoy the following Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 4 small breasts
- 4 hamburger buns or brioche rolls
- ¼ cup honey mustard sauce *or mayonnaise
- toppings as desired see notes
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast on a cutting board and lightly cover with plastic wrap. Use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness.
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl or freezer bag. Add chicken and toss well to combine. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375°F).
- Remove the chicken from the marinade allowing excess to drip off and discard the marinade.
- Add the chicken to the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side or until no pink remains and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While chicken is cooking, brush the cut side of the buns with olive oil and place face down on the grill. Cook until lightly toasted.
- Spread each bun with honey mustard and add lettuce, tomatoes and onions if desired. Top with chicken and serve.
Notes
*Homemade Honey Mustard: Combine ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 ½ tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 ½ tablespoons honey & ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
- If your chicken breasts are larger, they can be cut to make 4 portions.
- Do not overcook the chicken; it is pounded to cook evenly and only needs about 10-12 minutes.
- Chicken breasts can be replaced with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 452 | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 823mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Delicious and easy!
oh my gosh, I just cooked your crispy chicken sandwich today and it was great. Then I started wondering if it’s from the same lady that has the grilled chicken recipe, and sure enough it is. lol. I used the grilled chicken recipe a few weeks, but forgot to rate. It was fantastic, my son who is not a “chicken sandwich” type guy, raved about it. so yeah I put that in the ‘w’ column. lol
So happy to hear that Steph!
This was really good. We enjoyed this sandwich……a lot.
I’ve made these twice now, and they will be going into our regular rotation. Such a great marinade and so much flavor even if you only have 30-60 minutes.
Thank you Holly for another very delicious recipe!!! Grilled chicken sandies were a big success for our Memorial Day family gathering today! This recipe is one of so many go-to SWP recipes we enjoy as a family. No need to modify anything. Just wonderful home cooking, every recipe, always!!!! We love your beef barley soup among many fantastic recipes!! Thank you for taking time away from your own family to add special moments to ours! Sorry Holly, I have failed to write and thank you over and over again! Best wishes!
This sounds delicious. Any suggestions how I could reduce the sodium and fats? Thanks
Hi Elizabeth, you can try using low sodium or low fat options for this recipe. I would love to hear how it turns out for you!
absolutely delicious!! marinade is simple but super flavorful and made the chicken really juicy. and the honey mustard such a great companion to the chicken.
I made this chicken recipe earlier today. I used two tablespoons of dill pickle juice instead of the vinegar, only because I didn’t have any. I also used onion powder instead of garlic powder, I don’t like garlic in any shape or form. Very basic but some of the best grilled chicken I ever made, thanks for the recipe!
Whenever I want to try anything new I search the name of the food followed by “spend with Pennies” – always the best recipes ! You are amazing. I was so happy when I could buy your cookbook as my way to thank you! Another easy& delicious recipe !
great ideas !! Thank you soo much!
This marinade doesn’t have a lot to it , but wow it is so good !!! The flavor it gives chicken is perfection!
Great recipe, will make it again.
This was incredible & so easy! We followed the serving suggestions, putting garlic butter on the rolls before grilling, then garlic aioli on the bottom & honey mustard on the top when assembling the sandwich. It was so full of flavour & the chicken was super tender from the marinade. I will definitely make this again! Thank you!
A keeper
Terrific Grilled Chicken Sandwhich! Even with substituting Dijon for yellow mustard. Marinated mine for 2 hours.
Best chicken sandwich out there
I am obsessed with this recipe. I’m so glad I found this, thank you so much for sharing. AMAZING!
Super delicious!! Easy recipe and the honey mustard was
So glad you enjoyed it, Alicia!
Great recipe. very delicious and easy to make. I just mix everything together and put it right in a frying pan on the stove. comes out great every time. honey mustard is good too
Fantastic flavor. Great recipe as is, no need to make any changes, perfect.
Thanks, Taryn! So glad to hear this recipe worked out well for you.
I’m ready to make the marinade and now find that I have NO dijon or regular mustard. I DO have jarred honey mustard sauce, as well as powdered mustard. What can I substitute for the dijon in the marinade?
I haven’t tried it, but I think honey mustard should work just fine. Powdered mustard may be a little bitter. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out Val!