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Home Finger Food

Chicken sandwiches – gatherings, picnics, lunches!

By:Nagi
Published:3 Dec '22Updated:15 Jan '23
132 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Never underestimate the power of great chicken sandwiches! Excellent platter for gatherings, picnics and work lunches. My secrets? Fresh dill, a handful of walnuts and shred the chicken really finely using a stand-mixer or electric beater. Yes, really.

Chicken sandwiches ready to eat

Chicken sandwiches

If you’ve ever wondered why those chicken sandwiches from “that gourmet deli” are so coveted and command such high prices, the answer lies not just in the secret mix of ingredients for the filling but also in the texture of the chicken.

“It’s so soft and just melts in your mouth!“, friends have observed.

The secret? Shredding the chicken super, super finely, until it’s basically crumbly, using a stand-mixer. This makes the chicken sandwich filling soft and creamy because you don’t have chewy chunks of chicken in it.

No stand-mixer? No worries! Use a hand-held beater or a little patience and your hands. 🙂

Shredded chicken for Chicken sandwiches
A stand mixer or hand-held beater is the fastest way to shred chicken super finely to make a melt-in-your-mouth chicken sandwich filling, just like the ones from gourmet delis!

Mayonnaise plus sour cream

And the second secret of course is the sauce! You want it to have plenty of creamy sauce but not be too oily and weighed down with mayonnaise. My trick is to use both mayonnaise (for flavour and richness) and sour cream (for creamy goodness with less oil).

Secret sauce for Chicken sandwiches
Chicken sandwich filling

Hand holding Chicken sandwich
That’s a mojito I’m clutching in my other hand.

Ingredients in Chicken Sandwich Filling

Here’s what goes in my chicken sandwiches. And before you say it, let me acknowledge that I left out the most obvious ingredient for sandwiches – BREAD! 😂

Ingredients for chicken sandwiches
  1. Chicken – I use store bought chicken for ease. Bonus: The flesh is seasoned all the way through.

    Homemade roast chicken – If you’re a better person than me, make your own brined roast chicken (the brine will infuse the flesh with salt like store bought rotisserie chicken).

    Chicken breast – I prefer to use a whole chicken so you get a good blend of white meat (breast, lean) and dark meat (thigh, leg, wings – juicier and more flavour). But if you prefer to use just chicken breast, use my Foolproof Poached Chicken Breast (guarantees juicy breast) and toss the shredded chicken with 1 teaspoon of salt before mixing the sauce through.

  2. The bread (which I forgot to picture!) – The traditional bread is soft white sandwich bread. For fellow Australians – hot tip: Bakers Delight. The white sandwich bread, standard slice, is best for finger sandwiches. Soft but not sooooo soft that the filling squishes the bread.

    And of course, the bread of choice is not set in stone so feel free to use whatever bread you want!

  3. Mayonnaise – I always use whole egg mayonnaise which is creamier, smoother and has better flavour than mayonnaise that is not labelled “whole egg”. The reason is because whole-egg mayonnaise has more egg in it.

    My favourite mayonnaise brand is S&W, followed by Kewpie. Hellman’s is good too albeit a little sweeter. I find other brands (especially non whole-egg mayonnaise) too sweet and/or too vinegary and/or lacking in (good) flavour. I live in Sydney, Australia, and you can get all these brands at everyday large grocery stores.

  4. Sour cream – Secret ingredient! Using this means we can have plenty of tasty sauce in our chicken sandwich filling without it being overly greasy from using just mayonnaise. Yogurt can also be used but sour cream is my preference because it’s creamier.

  5. Walnuts – The classic nut addition in “gourmet deli-style” chicken sandwiches. I think part of the appeal, other than the hint of nutty flavour, is that it adds a bit of much needed texture in the otherwise very creamy filling.

    Best substitute – cashews, macadamia nuts or pecans. Else, leave it out.

  6. Fresh dill – Another ingredient that makes this “gourmet deli-style”! Lovely hint of fresh flavour. No other herb will provide the same flavour so if you don’t have it / like it, just leave it out. (Parsley can be used for a bit of green colour but won’t add flavour).

  7. Pickles – For the most subtle touch of tang in the filling. Use your favourite pickles. You could even substitute with capers.

  8. Celery and green onion – Adds background freshness in the filling and the celery also adds texture. While green onion could be substituted with red onion or eschalots (French onions / US: shallots), don’t skip the celery! It really makes a difference.

  9. Onion, garlic, salt, pepper – The seasonings for the sauce. I use onion and garlic powder rather than fresh because they have a smooth earthy flavour which is what I’m after for the sauce.

  10. Lemon juice – For a touch of freshness in the sauce. Substitute with vinegar.

  11. Dijon mustard – More flavour!


How to make deli-style chicken sandwiches

Nothing ground-breaking here. The only trick is shredding the chicken as finely as you can. The finer it’s shredded, the creamier the chicken filling which is what sets deli-style chicken sandwiches apart from the rest!

As I mentioned earlier, a stand-mixer will make short work of this. Hand-held beater also works. Else, your hands and some patience!

How to make Chicken sandwiches
  1. Remove flesh off the chicken and remove the skin. (No prizes for guessing where all the chicken skin goes around here. You’ll see in the recipe video!)

  2. Shred the chicken as finely as you can. It takes about 1 minute on medium speed using a stand-mixer using the paddle attachment (not whisk, it gets all caught up in the wires). A hand-held beater will also work but will take a bit longer. Else, use your hands.

  3. Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Use a whisk, if needed.

  4. Pour sauce over the chicken with remaining Filling ingredients (walnuts, celery, green onion, pickle, dill) and mix until combined.

    At this stage, you should sneak in a taste test and marvel at how soft and creamy the chicken sandwich filling is!

Chicken sandwich filling
When you shred the chicken finely, it makes the chicken filling really soft and creamy – just like the chicken sandwiches you get from gourmet delis!
How to make Chicken sandwiches
  1. Butter the bread. This not only provides extra flavour but a protection barrier so the sauce of the chicken filling doesn’t soak into the bread.

  2. Spread the filling on the bread, from edge to edge.

  3. Cut off crusts – I typically don’t cut the crust off sandwiches but for chicken sandwiches, I do if I’m making them for other people. Partly so they look neat – think High-Tea finger sandwich style – and also because then you get the full effect of the soft creamy chicken filling with just soft white bread. No tough crust getting in the way of the eating experience!

    PS You know full well the crusts get eaten right? Plenty of chicken filling makes its way to the crust!

  4. Cut in half on the diagonal, or into rectangles, then line them upon a platter!

    TIP: If you want really neat edges, refrigerate the assembled sandwiches for at least 2 hours before slicing. This will make the filling firm up and makes it easier to cut neatly. I did not do this for the sandwiches pictured in this post. You know that patience is not my greatest virtue!

Platter of freshly made Chicken sandwiches

Close up of the best Chicken sandwiches

I love a good sandwich, and these Chicken Sandwiches rate very, very highly in my books. As a bonus, the filling keeps well for 3 days and the assembled sandwiches, while best made fresh, are still 90% as good the next day (the bread softens with time). In fact, the sandwiches in this post were my dinner and breakfast for 2 consecutive days – and I was very happy about it!

And as I mentioned in the opening, I’m sharing this recipe with holiday gatherings in mind. Take it to your office Christmas party. A picnic with friends. A day out at the beach.

Or, you could go really crazy and have them for lunch! 😱 Live life on the edge! – Nagi x

PS If you do make these for a gathering, tell me below if they were the first food to go! #NotCommpetitiveAtAll 🤭


Watch how to make it

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Close up of the best Chicken sandwiches

Chicken sandwiches

Author: Nagi
Prep: 15 mins
Finger Food, Lunch, Party Food, picnic
Western
5 from 26 votes
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. The secret to the best chicken sandwiches like the ones you get from gourmet deli? Shred the chicken as finely as you can (stand-mixer is best!). Use mayo + sour cream so the sauce isn't too greasy. Plus a handful of walnuts!
Great platter food for gatherings, picnics and lunch boxes.
Makes 10 deli-style sandwiches, 8 very generously filled sandwiches, or 15 normal lunchbox sandwiches (Note 6).

Ingredients

Filling:

  • 500g/ 1 lb cooked chicken meat from 1 large store bought roast chicken (Note 1)
  • 1 celery stem , sliced 3mm/0.1″ thick then into 0.5cm/0.2″ pieces
  • 1 green onion stem , finely sliced
  • 3/4 cup walnuts , roughly chopped (Note 2)
  • 3 tbsp finely chopped cornichon/dill pickle
  • 1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped dill (Note 3)

Sauce:

  • 2/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise (S&W best in Aus, Note 4)
  • 2/3 cup sour cream (sub full fat yogurt)
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice (sub white wine or cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder (or more garlic powder)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (or more onion powder)
  • 3/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Sandwiches:

  • Salted butter , for spreading on bread
  • 20 slices white sandwich bread, day-old, (or more slices for less filling) (Note 5)

Instructions

  • Shred the chicken as finely as you can. The best method is using a stand-mixer. Just put the meat in the bowl with the paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until it's really finely shredded (~ 1 minute). Else use a handheld beater or your hands.
  • Mix the Sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth – use a whisk if needed.
  • Pour Sauce over the chicken. Add remaining Filling ingredients. Stir until combined.
  • Spread bread with butter. Spread with Filling (see below for amount).
  • Remove crusts if desired (for the authentic "gourmet" experience!) and cut in half. (Tip: For really neat cuts, refrigerate sandwiches before slicing so Filling firms up).
  • Serve on platters littered with green fluffage, if desired!

Filling quantities (Note 6)

  • Chicken filling per sandwich:
    – Deli standard (recommended): 100g / 1/2 cup (makes 10 sandwiches)
    – Very generous: 130g / 1/2 cup (makes 8)
    – Everyday lunchbox: 80g (1/3 cup) (makes 15).

Recipe Notes:

1. Chicken – It’s ok! You can use store bought roast chicken! Bonus: The flesh is seasoned all the way through. Make your own – use this Brined Roast Chicken.
If using homemade plain cooked chicken, toss 1 teaspoon extra salt through the shredded chicken. Use my Foolproof Poached Chicken Breast recipe. Cool, then roughly shred into large pieces with hands before blitzing in stand-mixer.
No scales? 500g/1 lb chicken once finely shredded is just shy of 4 cups, lightly packed (ie don’t jam it in to measure). 
2. Walnuts is the classic nut addition for “gourmet deli-style” chicken sandwiches and adds a touch of special. Love how it softens and melds into the filling. Best subs: cashews, macadamia nuts or pecans. Else, leave it out.
3. Dill is also another secret ingredient that makes these “gourmet deli-style”. No other herb will provide the same flavour so if you don’t have it / like it, just leave it out. (Parsley can be used for a bit of green colour but won’t add flavour).
4. Mayo – S&W is best in Australia. Kewpie is the next best, followed by Hellman’s. I find others too sweet, too vinegary – who me, fussy? 🙂
5. Bread – Hot tip for Aussies: Bakers Delight white sandwich bread sliced standard thickness (not extra thick) is best for softness but not so crazy soft it gets squished! Best to get it the day before so it’s not quite as soft, makes it easier to spread the chicken on it.
6. Filling amount – It’s a rich filling, don’t need to go crazy with it.
  • 1/2 cup (100g) per sandwich is generous and makes a filling sandwich, even for someone with a “robust” appetite like myself! Makes 10.
  • Normal lunchbox size sandwich – 1/3 cup (80g) is sufficient, makes 15.
  • Mega sandwich – pile on as much as you want!
7. Storage – Keeps for 3 days in the fridge, assembled or filling only. Filling flavour gets even better overnight!
Keywords: chicken sandwich
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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132 Comments

  1. Gabi says

    December 28, 2022 at 8:38 pm

    I love Fallot Walnut Mustard. It has a lovely dijon flavour with nuts!

    Reply
  2. george speropulos says

    December 28, 2022 at 3:12 am

    Hi Nagi!
    Made your chicken salad from leftover rotisserie chicken and must say it was stunning.
    Beautifully balanced flavors and great creamy texture.
    Nicely played!

    Reply
  3. Julie Mansfield says

    December 18, 2022 at 7:58 am

    5 stars
    I watched carefully to see if these sandwiches were the first to go at a family gathering – they really did! My brother worked his way through half of the platter, followed by an unseemly rush as everyone else caught on. Many thanks Nagi for the reflected glory x

    Reply
  4. Katharine says

    December 17, 2022 at 10:21 pm

    This is delicious, we had it spread on toast, something else to do with left over turkey too.
    Is the Cookbook coming to the UK soon, feeling a bit left out over here!

    Reply
    • Dan says

      December 20, 2022 at 11:57 pm

      I second that re. the cookbook coming to the UK!

      Reply
  5. Leanne says

    December 13, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    I havent cooked this yet but would love to take camping over christmas, would the meat mixture be okay to freeze and then put together later

    Reply
    • Monique says

      January 10, 2023 at 7:07 am

      Wondering the same thing!

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    December 13, 2022 at 7:17 am

    I wonder how this would taste on those little rye breads you see this time of year

    Reply
  7. Suzie says

    December 12, 2022 at 11:37 am

    Hi Nagi, can they be pre-made and store in the freezer?

    Reply
    • Helen Oluwatoyin Sawyerr says

      December 13, 2022 at 2:18 am

      I would love to know the answer as well. Thanks

      Reply
  8. Kristen says

    December 11, 2022 at 1:48 am

    I’ve been making chicken salad for years when I saw this. I followed the recipe to a tee including dill and buttering the bread which I have never done. These were delicious and were raved about at a holiday party I took them to yesterday. Not a nibble left! Winner!!

    Reply
  9. Lesley says

    December 9, 2022 at 7:57 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely the best chicken salad I’ve ever eaten!!! Can’t wait to make it for our church Christmas party. Thanks for another great recipe Nagi! ❤️

    Reply
  10. Tracy says

    December 8, 2022 at 10:32 pm

    5 stars
    Just made a huge tray of the chicken sandwiches for our tiny town’s Christmas party and despite there being enough food there to feed an army, the sandwiches all went quickly. Delicious.

    Reply
  11. Harini Vino says

    December 8, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    This recipe is so mouthwatering and tempting. Thanks for sharing this recipe with a detailed description.

    Reply
  12. Leisa Zarian says

    December 8, 2022 at 2:36 pm

    This recipe ticked all the boxes for me! So good!! I’ve eaten two sandwiches today. Definitely using this as a regular recipe my house!

    Reply
  13. Mariette says

    December 7, 2022 at 3:57 pm

    5 stars
    This is going to be a regular family favourite!!!! At age 45 I finally know how to make a good chicken sandwich, all thanks to you! I can see how this will work for a toasted chicken mayo sandwich, perhaps minus the celery that might not fare well with the heat?!

    Reply
  14. Tory says

    December 7, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    I always wondered how they made the chicken like that in those sandwiches!! Thank you Nagi

    Reply
  15. Leanne says

    December 6, 2022 at 9:33 pm

    I’ve just made this filling to make sandwiches for a work morning tea tomorrow. Oh my goodness 😍 it is delicious and can’t wait for a taste in the morning when the flavours have developed! I’m not a walnut fan so I toasted slivered almonds and chopped them up for it. No dill at the shops so I had to use parsley. Minor changes that still worked. I’m a huge fan, Nagi 😊. My husband and I alternate trying recipes from your book on the weekends, and I’ve bought a couple more books for Xmas presents. You deserve all the success you’re enjoying!

    Reply
  16. Lorraine says

    December 6, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    I’m not a pickle person either Brenda (prev comment) and I prefer pecans and crunchy texture so didn’t blitz and added some chopped granny smith apple which makes it basically chicken Waldorf which is an old time fav with our family … but the dill adds a whole new dimension. 😋 Yum!

    Reply
  17. Brooke Willis says

    December 6, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    This recipe is divine! I bought bread that was too soft which I didn’t like, so I ended up using the filling in mini puff pastry pies! SO AMAZING!

    Reply
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