I had a low-key tuna melt obsession back when I was pregnant with Viggo, and now that I’m pregnant with baby #4, it’s the perfect time for a new melt to make an appearance.
These spicy, high protein chicken melts are my latest and greatest lunch creation that will have your taste buds dancing. It’s the perfect recipe to use up leftover chicken! We’re piling these open face sandwiches with my fresh, spicy chicken salad topping with our favorite cheese, and broiling them to melty perfection.
Skip the dry midday sandwich and whip up these deliciously satisfying chicken melts in under 20 minutes! There are tons of yummy ways to serve the chicken salad, too, if that’s more your speed — check them all out in this post, and enjoy your new fav lunch or easy weeknight dinner.
Everything you’ll need to make these spicy chicken melts
I love a lunch that I can make with ingredients I already have in my fridge or pantry, and that’s exactly how these high-protein chicken melts came to life! Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
- Salad: we’re using my fresh, Spicy Chicken Salad made with fresh herbs and veggies, a little mayo and Greek yogurt, sriracha for spice, honey, and lime juice. So easy and so, so delicious!
- Bread: feel free to use any bread you like for sandwiches! I like a thicker sliced bread or sourdough here.
- Cheese: the “melt” party of this sandwich, of course. I love topping mine with sharp cheddar cheese.
Customize your healthy chicken melt
- Pick your protein: this is a great way to use leftover chicken or even a rotisserie chicken! You could also use 2 cans of tuna, or 1 can of rinsed, drained, mashed chickpeas (to keep it vegetarian).
- Choose your cheese: feel free to use any melty cheese that you like. Add more spice with pepper jack, or opt for a slice of sharp cheddar.
- Go gluten-free: you can absolutely use your favorite gluten-free bread for these chicken melts. More ways to serve the salad below!
How to make the perfect high-protein chicken melts
- Make the salad. Start by mixing together your chicken salad in a medium bowl.
- Top the toasted bread. Evenly spread the chicken salad on 2 slices of toasted bread, and add a slice of cheese to each.
- Broil & devour. Place the sandwiches under the oven broiler for a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted, then enjoy!
More ways to enjoy the chicken salad
- Add it to a tortilla for a spicy chicken salad wrap or quesadilla!
- Keep it grain free by rolling it into lettuce cups or a collard wrap
- Scoop it up with pita chips, crackers, or pretzels
Storing tips
I recommend only making the full melts that you’re going to eat, but you can store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.
More lunch recipes you’ll love
- Spicy Jalapeño Cheddar Tuna Melt
- Vegan Pecan Apple Chickpea Salad Wraps
- The Ultimate Spicy Cheddar & Apple Fall Veggie Sandwich
- Curried Chickpea Couscous Salad
- Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad
Get all of my lunch recipes here!
I hope you love these spicy chicken melts! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
High-Protein Chicken Melts
Ingredients
- 1 batch Spicy Chicken Salad
- 2 slices your favorite bread, a thicker sliced bread is always nice!
- 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese (or your fav cheese!)
Instructions
- Make the Spicy Chicken Salad.
- Toast your bread slices the way you normally like it. Evenly spread the chicken mixture over each slice. Top each with a slice or two of cheese on top. Place under the oven broiler for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Enjoy! Makes 2 open face sandwiches.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
Honestly I’m shocked that I appear to be the first review on this one because I just made these for lunch and they’re lit! I love that they are full of fresh herbs and sneaky veggies and the sriracha/Greek yogurt/mayo combo is perfectly light and fresh and has a nice little kick without being overly spicy. I haven’t always been a chicken salad person but this, the Green Goddess Chicken Salad wraps, and the Moroccan Chicken Salad have converted me! Glad to have this as a new addition to my lunch rotation.
So good! I love adding extra flavors to chicken salad (as you can tell!) This one’s a hidden gem 🙂