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Close-up view of the Spicy Grilled Chicken Ciabatta showing the porous texture of the bread and the pale-orange chipotle aioli.

Spicy Grilled Chicken Ciabatta: The Ultimate Zesty Sandwich Guide

This Spicy Grilled Chicken Ciabatta features juicy charred chicken, three layers of crispy smoked bacon, and melted pepper jack cheese on a toasted artisan roll. Finished with smoky chipotle aioli and peppery arugula for the perfect bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 740
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 large Ciabatta rolls Sliced and toasted
  • 1 lb (454g) Chicken breast Cut into thick strips
  • 6 slices Smoked bacon Thick-cut, scrunched for waviness
  • 2 slices Pepper jack cheese With visible pepper flecks
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Mayonnaise Base for aioli
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) Chipotle peppers in adobo Finely minced
  • 1 cup (30g) Fresh arugula Vibrant green leaves
  • 1 large Tomato Thinly sliced

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Grill Pan Essential for deep char marks.
  • 1 Baking sheet with wire rack For the crispiest wavy bacon.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Whisk mayonnaise, minced chipotle, and lime juice until a pale-orange color is achieved. Refrigerate.
  2. Bake bacon at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes until wavy and crispy.
Cooking and Assembly
  1. Season chicken strips and grill on a high-heat pan until dark char marks appear and internal temp is 165°F (74°C).
  2. Drape pepper jack over the hot chicken strips until it softens and drapes over the sides.
  3. Spread aioli on toasted ciabatta. Layer arugula, tomato, cheesy chicken, and three slices of wavy bacon. Top with the offset bun.

Notes

Ensure the grill pan is smoking hot before adding chicken for the best char marks.
Use a wire rack for bacon to ensure it stays crispy and holds its wavy shape.