Chicken Cheese Steak Recipe

Chicken breast: Thinly sliced to cook quickly and evenly.

Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor when sautéed.

Green bell pepper: Provides a fresh, slightly sweet crunch.

Provolone cheese: Melts smoothly over the chicken and vegetables.

Hoagie rolls: Soft rolls perfect for holding the filling.

Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and chicken.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.

Pepper: Adds a bit of spice and depth.

When slicing the chicken breast, make sure to cut it against the grain. This will result in more tender pieces that cook evenly. To achieve thin slices, partially freeze the chicken for about 20 minutes before slicing. This firms up the meat and makes it easier to handle. For the onions and bell peppers, aim for uniform thin slices to ensure they cook at the same rate. When adding the provolone cheese, cover the skillet with a lid for a minute to help the cheese melt more quickly and evenly over the chicken and vegetables.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for chicken in this recipe.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, tofu can mimic the texture of chicken when properly seasoned and cooked.

• Onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a similar flavor but are slightly sweeter and milder than onions.

• Onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder, more delicate onion flavor that can complement the other ingredients well.

• Green bell pepper - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell peppers are sweeter and can add a different color and flavor dimension to the dish.

• Green bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers provide a mild heat and a slightly smoky flavor, adding a new twist to the recipe.

• Provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and has a mild flavor that can easily replace provolone.

• Provolone cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar offers a sharper taste and melts nicely, providing a different but enjoyable flavor.

• Hoagie rolls - Substitute with baguette: A baguette has a similar texture and can hold the ingredients well, making it a good alternative.

• Hoagie rolls - Substitute with ciabatta: Ciabatta bread has a chewy texture and can absorb the flavors of the filling, making it a suitable substitute.

• Olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and a high smoke point, making it a healthy and effective substitute.

• Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• Pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and a different flavor profile, making the dish spicier.

• Allow the chicken cheese steak mixture to cool completely before storing.
• Transfer the cooled chicken, onions, and bell peppers into an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the leftovers within 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The chicken cheese steak mixture can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen mixture in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the mixture in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You may add a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
• If the provolone cheese has separated during freezing, you can add fresh slices while reheating to restore the creamy texture.
• Toast the hoagie rolls just before serving to ensure they remain crisp and fresh.
• Fill the toasted rolls with the reheated chicken and vegetable mixture, and enjoy your chicken cheese steak hot.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the chicken cheese steak in aluminum foil to keep it moist. Place it on a baking sheet and heat for about 15-20 minutes or until thoroughly warmed. This method helps maintain the texture of the hoagie rolls and the gooeyness of the provolone cheese.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan. Place the chicken cheese steak in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken and vegetables are warmed and the cheese is melty.

• Microwave Method: Place the chicken cheese steak on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. This method is quick but may slightly alter the texture of the hoagie rolls.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken cheese steak on a baking tray and cover it with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. This method is great for maintaining the crispiness of the hoagie rolls.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the chicken cheese steak in aluminum foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn’t overcook. This method keeps the hoagie rolls crispy while evenly warming the chicken and cheese.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the chicken, onions, and bell peppers.

• Spatula: A tool used for stirring and flipping the ingredients in the skillet.

• Knife: Used for thinly slicing the chicken breast, onion, and green bell pepper.

• Cutting board: A surface on which to slice the chicken, onion, and bell pepper.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil accurately.

• Tongs: Handy for placing the provolone cheese slices over the chicken and vegetables and for filling the hoagie rolls.

• Toaster or oven: Used to toast the hoagie rolls if desired.

• Serving plate: A plate to serve the finished chicken cheese steak sandwiches.

Pre-slice ingredients: Pre-slice the chicken breast, onion, and green bell pepper ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-cooked chicken: Opt for pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time.

One-pan method: Cook everything in one skillet to save on cleanup time.

Pre-toast rolls: Toast the hoagie rolls in advance and keep them warm in the oven.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and store leftovers for a quick meal later in the week.