These easy Italian Chicken Hoagies are loaded with tender chicken, melted mozzarella, fresh basil, and a creamy roasted red pepper sauce that makes the whole sandwich. Using rotisserie chicken keeps prep super simple, but you could also grill it fresh! The homemade roasted red pepper spread comes together in minutes and bathes it all in creamy saucy flavor. These are an easy weeknight dinner or fun lunch!
Ingredients Needed
- Roasted red peppers – Find these near other preserved/pickled foods like pickles, pepperoncini, and olives on the condiment aisle of your grocery store. This recipe calls for 7 ounces. Sometimes 7-ounce jars are hard to find, so if you grab a larger one, just use about 3/4 cup.
- Fresh garlic
- Mayonnaise
- Fresh lemon juice – Do not used bottled juice. True Lemon could work in a pinch.
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- A large French baguette – About 24 inches long. You know those really long ones in the grocery store bakery that you bake at home? They bake up in like, 8 minutes and are so soft and yummy and work perfectly here. Hoagie buns or ciabatta would be good, too!
- Cooked, shredded chicken – Rotisserie chicken works well, or grilled, sliced chicken breasts.
- Mozzarella cheese – shredded or sliced.
- Fresh basil leaves
How to Make Italian Chicken Sandwiches
- First we’ll whiz up the sandwich spread. You’ll need a clove of garlic and a jar of roasted red peppers. Drain the peppers and then pat them really dry with a paper towel. I also add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper, and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice. I like the lemon because I think a little acidity helps bring out the flavors, but if you don’t have a lemon around, you could use red or white wine vinegar instead, or leave it out all together.
- You can make this on any type of sandwich roll or buns, but I found it worked really well on a French baguette loaf. Slice the loaf in half lengthwise, brush the halves with a little olive oil or butter, and then toast it in the oven until it’s golden brown.
- Spread some of the red pepper sauce you made on the bottom of the sandwich and then top with shredded chicken. Alternately you can toss your chicken directly in the sauce like I’m doing.
- Top the chicken with mozarella cheese, either shredded like I’m doing, or slices, and then return it to the broiler just to melt it. It will only take a second- DON’T WALK AWAY. (I warned you.)
- Next top with basil. Pair it with your favorite salad or some fresh fruit and it’s a super quick and easy dinner.
Storing and Other Tips
- You can make the red pepper sandwich spread part ahead of time and put it in the fridge. The flavors will just get better the longer it sits!
- These finished sandwiches are best made and eaten fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different bread?
Yes! Use whatever variety of bread you’d like here. You could even do sliced bread like sourdough, or individual rolls.
Can I make these ahead of time?
These sandwiches are best made and eaten fresh. If you’d like to prep ahead, feel free to whiz up your roasted red pepper spread up to 24 hours ahead of time. You can always cook and prep your chicken as well. When it’s time to assemble the sandwiches, they come together very quickly!
Italian Chicken Hoagies with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
These quick and easy sandwiches are packed with flavor thanks to a flavorful red pepper spread and fresh basil leaves.
Servings
Ingredients
- 7 ounces jarred roasted red peppers drained and patted VERY dry (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 clove fresh garlic pressed
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice leave out if you don't have it, it's a tiny amount!
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 large French baguette or bread of choice about 24″ long or 4 large hoagie buns
- 2 cups chicken shredded rotisserie or a few chicken breasts grilled and sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or several slices
- a handful of fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Drain peppers and pat them VERY dry. Place roasted red peppers, garlic, mayo, and lemon juice (if you don’t have a lemon, sub red or white wine vinegar, or just leave it out!) in a food processor. Add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of fresh ground pepper. Process until smooth and then store in the fridge until ready to use. You can make the sauce ahead of time.
- Slice bread in half to open it up. Lightly brush with olive oil or butter and place under a broiler until golden brown and toasted.
- Remove from oven and spread red pepper sauce on the bottom half of the bread and then layer cheese on top. Alternately, you can pour sauce over your chicken to coat it all and then pile on sandwiches. Top with cheese
- Place back in the broiler just until cheese is melted. Top with basil leaves. Spread red pepper sauce on other side of bread and put sandwich together. Slice in to 4 large hoagies, or 8 smaller sandwiches.
Notes
- Although this recipe calls for French baguette or hoagie buns, it will really work with any type of bread you prefer. Ciabatta would be another tasty choice!
- These sandwiches are best made and eaten fresh. If you’d like to prep ahead, feel free to whiz up your roasted red pepper spread up to 24 hours ahead of time. You can always cook and prep your chicken as well. When it’s time to assemble the sandwiches, they come together very quickly!
Nutrition
Calories: 1369kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 131g, Saturated Fat: 38g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 35g, Monounsaturated Fat: 53g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 121mg, Sodium: 1419mg, Potassium: 185mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 545IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 234mg, Iron: 3mg
Calories: 1369kcal
Cost: $20
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Questions & Reviews
Well, that was might fine. I’d highly recommend, and I think the delicious red pepper sauce would be excellent on all sorts of dishes — roasted eggplant, grilled chicken, a spoon. 🙂
Wondering what side dishes y’all served with these delicious looking sandwiches.
These were delish! I made the sauce with 1/2 mayo, 1/2 plain nonfat greek yogurt. Turned out great! Thanks!
Great sandwiches! A recipe the whole family liked. Amazing! Thanks for sharing it.
I made these tonight and they were really good. I think I’ll add some spice to the sauce like maybe some red pepper flakes to give it some heat. A great sandwich!
Made these and they were wonderful! Thanks!
Made these tonight for dinner, everyone loved them! Thanks for always sharing such amazing recipes.
I made this on Saturday night. It was a hit. The husband said I should make the sandwiches again. It was so easy too!
Some of my favorite flavors! Love the red pepper sauce idea! I bet these sandwiches are really yummy!
If you have a family member with egg allergies can you substitute something else for the Mayo?
I’d use Greek yogurt or sour cream. You may want to use a bit of sugar then, since mayo is sweeter than either of those, but generally it works great.
Thanks!