30 minutes is all it takes to make this Chicken Philly Cheesesteak. Sink your teeth into a delicious chicken Philly made with sliced chicken, sautéed onions, bell peppers, and melty cheese for the perfect sandwich.
We are always looking for new ways to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and I can guarantee this will be a new favorite! Chick-fil-A lover or not!
Reasons to Love this Chicken Philly Recipe
- Classic Philly – All your favorite flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak but a bit healthier, using leaner chicken breast.
- Healthier – Swap the typical shaved steak for sliced chicken to make this healthier alternative to the traditional cheesesteak.
- 30-Minute Meal – A quick, filling and tasty meal!
My Philly Cheesesteak with Shaved Beef is one my most popular recipes as well as these Philly Cheesesteak sliders and these brand new Blackstone Philly Cheesesteaks.
Simple Ingredients for Chicken Philly
- Oil | Saute the chicken, peppers, garlic, and onions in olive oil or butter.
- Chicken | Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts here. Pounded to a similar thickness, slice into thin slices.
- Salt and pepper | A little bit of kosher salt and black pepper
- Worcestershire sauce | This is what sets my recipe apart!
- Onion and Garlic: Slice the onion thinly, evenly, and mince or press the garlic.
- Bell pepper | I used a red and orange bell pepper, sliced thin. But you can also go with a green bell pepper or your favorite colors.
- Cheese | For this chicken sandwich, I like provolone and white American cheese. Traditionally, melty provolone cheese slices are used for Philly sandwiches, but I like the creaminess that American cheese adds.
- Rolls | I use classic crusty hoagie rolls. Traditionally, an Amoroso roll is used, but they are hard to find unless you live in Philly, in which case, by all means!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make this Chicken Philly Recipe
Step 1 | Season and cook chicken
Pound and slice the chicken breast thinly (see below for how to shave chicken breast). Add the sliced chicken to a bowl and toss it with the salt and black pepper.
Heat a couple tablespoons of butter or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken once hot. Spread the chicken out in a single layer and cook for about three minutes. Flip it with tongs or spatula, then continue cooking for another two to three minutes or until browned and mostly cooked.
Saute Worcestershire sauce and garlic, stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds or so. Remove chicken to a plate.
How Do You Shave Chicken Breast for a Cheesesteak?
Slicing chicken thin is much easier when it is really cold or partially frozen. So, chill the chicken in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes, then use a sharp knife to slice thinly it at a slight angle. Easy!
Step 2 | Add garlic and saute vegetables
Add the remaining oil to the same skillet, along with onions and bell peppers. Saute the onions and peppers for five to ten minutes or until the veggies are soft, stirring occasionally. If the skillet gets dry during cooking, just add a little water, additional butter, or oil.
Fresh Tips
If necessary, work in batches, and don’t crowd the pan to cook the chicken evenly. Overcrowding will steam the meat, making it tough.
Step 3 | Add chicken and top with cheese
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with the vegetables. Layer the cheese on top of the cooked chicken, cover, and cook on low for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese, then remove the pan from the heat.
Step 4 | Toast rolls, assemble, and serve
As the cheese melts, set buttered hoagie buns on a baking sheet, open them, and toast them under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Then, scoop the cheesy chicken and veggies onto each toasted roll, serve fresh and warm, and enjoy!
Fresh Tips
- If your skillet doesn’t have a lid, cover it with foil to melt. You can also melt the cheese in the oven at 300° F (150° C) for a few minutes, or put it under the broiler and keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
You can’t beat the savory and cheesy flavors of a Philly cheesesteak! And this healthier chicken Philly is an excellent way to enjoy a classic without the extra calories.
If you’re craving the traditional recipe, check out my Steak Philly Sandwich recipe. Then, try more of my Philly-inspired recipes, like Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes, Cheesesteak Sliders, and my low-carb Cheesesteak Casserole.
Variations & Substitutions
- Seasonings: If you prefer, use a teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh garlic or try adding a teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Bell Peppers: Use your favorite bell pepper variety, whether yellow, red, orange, or green peppers. I like how the orange and red add a vibrant pop of color.
- Cheesesteak with Mushrooms: Saute some fresh sliced mushrooms with the onions and peppers, adding a little more texture to this chicken version of a cheesesteak.
- Add Butter: For extra flavor, add some butter to the sautéed onions.
- Skip the Bun: Sometimes, I like to serve the Philly filling without the soft hoagie rolls. You can place it over steamed rice or more sauteed veggies. Or place in a cheese wrap or lettuce wrap for a low-carb option! YUMMY!
- Onions: Trade the yellow onions for white onions or red onions for a slightly different flavor.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – If you have leftover chicken, hold off on the cheese and buns for the ones you are not eating and store the tender chicken mixture once cooled in an airtight container for three to four days.
Can I freeze Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks?
You bet! Leave out the cheese and buns, place the cooled mixture in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
How to Reheat Chicken Cheesesteak
From frozen, first let the cheesesteak filling thaw in the fridge overnight. Both refrigerated and frozen do these next steps.
Add chicken and veggie mix it to a lightly greased skillet and warm it over medium heat, tossing occasionally. Add the cheese, cover, and continue cooking until it melts. Then, assemble the chicken sandwiches and serve. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but know the texture will change.
Frequently Asked Questions
A traditional Philly cheesesteak contains shaved beef, caramelized onions, peppers, and melted cheese. Adding sauteed mushrooms and Cheez Whiz are also common.
A hearty hoagie roll or sub roll is the best bread for a cheesesteak. However, fresh bakery Italian rolls, Bolero or French baguettes are also delicious. If you’re in a pinch, a hot dog bun will do the trick.
While a classic Philly cheesesteak doesn’t include condiments, you can boost the flavor and customize the sandwich with mayonnaise, hot sauce, hot peppers, or steak sauce.
The secret to the ultimate Philly sandwich is fresh ingredients, especially garlic and Worcestershire! The Original Philly Cheesesteak is made with shaved ribeye for the most tender and delicious sandwich ever!
Technically, you could, though I don’t believe you will get the same texture and flavors. If you choose to use rotisserie chicken, make sure it is shredded into thin strips. Just warm it (it’s already cooked) in a seasoned skillet. Quickly add the garlic and Worcestershire, then remove until adding back to the sauteed veggies. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
What to serve with Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks
- Steak Fries in Air Fryer
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Bacon Macaroni Salad
Freeze the chicken for at least 20 minutes to make shaving it easier.
Best Drinks for this Easy Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
Try my Pink Lemonade Vodka, or make the just as tasty mocktail version for the whole family to enjoy. Also worth trying is this Frozen Paloma Recipe with a citrusy-sweet flavor or this super refreshing Passion Tea – so good!
More Yummy Sandwich Recipes
- Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches
- Steak Bomb Sandwich
- Caprese BLT
- Reuben Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
- Smash Burger Recipe with Onions
- Check out this complete list of shaved beef recipes!
- BBQ Chicken Pull Apart Sandwich (Pulled Chicken Sliders)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 pound chicken breast skinless, boneless, sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced or pressed (2-3 cloves, depending on their size)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 yellow onion medium, cut in half and sliced thin
- 1 red bell pepper medium, sliced into thin strips
- 1 orange bell pepper medium, sliced into thin strips
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 slices white American cheese
- 4 hoagie rolls
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sliced chicken with salt (1 tsp), and black pepper (½ tsp).
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken (1 lb sliced thin) to the skillet, spreading it out in an even layer. Cook for about 3 minutes, flip, using tongs or a spatula, and cook another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce (1 TBL) and minced garlic (2 cloves), and stir for 30 seconds. Remove chicken from the skillet to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, onions (1 sliced thin), and bell peppers (red/orange, sliced thin). Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes. It’s okay to add a little water if the skillet gets dry while cooking.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables.
- Layer the provolone (4 slices) and white American cheese (4 slices) over the top of the chicken mixture, cover, and let cook 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted. Remove from heat.
- While the cheese is melting, place buttered hoagie rolls on a sheet pan, opened up and toast under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
- Scoop the cheesy chicken and vegetable mixture onto each hoagie roll and serve warm.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can use 1 teaspoon garlic powder in place of fresh garlic, adding with the salt and pepper.
- While browning the chicken, work in batches if necessary. Don’t crowd the pan, as that will prevent the chicken from browning and create more of a steaming effect.
- If your skillet doesn’t have a lid, you can pop it in a 300° oven until the cheese melts, about 5-7 minutes. You can also put it under the broiler, but watch it carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn.
- Traditionally provolone is used, but we added the white American cheese for it’s creamy melty goodness. Feel free to get creative with your cheese.
- Use your favorite peppers, if green bell peppers are your favorite add more or less.
- Add fresh sliced mushrooms when sauteing the onions and peppers.
- If desired, add a little butter with the oil when sauteing the veggies.
If you know you are going to have leftovers, only place cheese on the sandwiches you are eating. Then store the cooled mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Can I freeze Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks?
YES! If possible, leave off the cheese and allow the mixture to cool completely, then place in an airtight container and store in the freezer up to 3 months. How to Reheat Chicken Cheesesteak
If frozen, allow to thaw in the fridge overnight. Place in a lightly greased skillet over medium heat, tossing until warmed through. Add cheese, cover, and melt. Serve with a bun or without. Or mixture may be warmed in the microwave if desired, but not my favorite way. FAQs
- How do you shave chicken breast for cheesesteak? Place boneless skinless chicken breast in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. Then with a sharp knife, angled slightly, shave thin slices of the chicken. Slicing is easier when the chicken is very cold or even partially frozen.
- What is chicken Philly made of? So, this chicken Philly cheesesteak? It’s basically all the goodness of a classic Philly cheesesteak but with chicken instead of beef. Leaner chicken breast, nestled with carmelized onions, and peppers and topped with melty cheese, making for one heck of an easy and tasty sandwich.
- What kind of bread is best for Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks? Use a good, hearty hoagie roll for your sandwich. Fresh bakery hoagie rolls and Italian or French baguettes are good choices.
- What condiments go well with Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks? While traditional Philly Cheesesteaks typically don’t include condiments, you can add mayonnaise, hot sauce, steak sauce, or hot peppers if desired.
Nutrition
Ashley
Such a great weeknight dinner option! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
You are welcome!
DK
I was really craving a cheesesteak sandwich recipe and I’m so glad I came across your recipe! I’m also trying to cut down on beef so this chicken cheesesteak is just perfect for me!
So glad it worked out well for you!
Paula
Oooh this was cheesy perfection! Served these for dinner last night and they were a huge hit.
So glad you loved them!!
Chris
OMG these were so good. I think I prefer the chicken version to the beef. Kids really enjoyed them too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your kind words.