There are some combinations in the kitchen that just feel right, and for me, the trio of tender chicken, creamy avocado, and gloriously melted cheese is one of them. It’s more than just a sandwich; it’s a proper satisfying meal tucked between two slices of golden, toasted bread. I stumbled upon this combination by accident one afternoon when staring at a sad-looking leftover chicken breast and a perfectly ripe avocado. The result was this Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich Recipe, and it has been a staple in our home ever since.

What we’re making today is a cheesy chicken sandwich that feels a bit special, yet comes together with very little fuss. The secret is in the layers: seasoned, juicy chicken pieces, a zesty avocado mash that cuts through the richness, and a blanket of sharp cheddar that melts into every nook and cranny. The bread is buttered on the outside, which ensures it grills to a perfect, crispy finish in the pan.

This is the kind of recipe that works beautifully for a hearty lunch, a speedy weeknight dinner, or even a lazy weekend brunch. It’s substantial, full of wonderful textures, and has a knack for making a regular day feel a little more special. Let’s get our ingredients together and make something truly delicious.

Recipe Overview

This chicken avocado melt brings together savoury, creamy, and tangy notes in one satisfying sandwich. The chicken is cooked until just tender, the avocado is lightly mashed with lime and coriander for freshness, and a sharp cheddar provides the perfect “cheese pull.” I’ve found that using a mature cheddar gives the best flavour against the creamy avocado.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 2 sandwiches
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich Recipe

• Genuine Flavour: The contrast here is what makes it so good. You get the savoury, seasoned chicken, the fresh, slightly sharp taste from the lime-infused avocado, and the rich, salty hit from the properly melted cheddar.
• Ready in 30 Minutes: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in about half an hour, making it ideal when you want a substantial meal without a lot of time.
• Flexible Recipe: This is a brilliant base for customisation. You can add crispy bacon, a slice of ripe tomato, or a few pickled red onions. You can even switch up the protein; my Bang Bang Chicken Thighs recipe leftovers work wonderfully here.
• Great for a Hearty Lunch: When a simple salad won’t do, this cheesy chicken sandwich is exactly what’s needed. It’s filling, packed with protein, and feels like a real treat.
• Family Tested: My husband, who’s usually picky about sandwiches for dinner, asked for seconds the first time I made this! It’s one of those recipes that everyone seems to love.

Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich Recipe

⏱️ 15 min prep  •  🍳 20 min cook  •  👥 2 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

We’re using simple, fresh ingredients for this chicken avocado sandwich. For the bread, I recommend a good quality sourdough or a thick-cut farmhouse loaf, as it holds up well to the fillings and gets beautifully crisp. I always try to use Hass avocados as they have a wonderful creamy texture.

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 300g total), sliced into thin strips
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
• A pinch of red chilli flakes (optional)
• 4 slices of sourdough or other sturdy bread
• 30g unsalted butter, softened
• 120g mature cheddar cheese, grated

Sara’s Tip: To check if an avocado is ripe, gently press the top near the stem. It should yield to gentle pressure but not feel mushy. If it’s hard, it needs a day or two more on the counter.

How to Make This Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich Recipe

The process is straightforward. We’ll cook the chicken first, then prepare the avocado mash, and finally assemble and grill the sandwiches until they are golden and the cheese is perfectly gooey.

1. Season and Cook the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken strips with the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until it’s cooked through and slightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Prepare the Avocado Mash: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the avocado. Halve the avocado, remove the stone, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add the lime juice, chopped coriander, and optional red chilli flakes. Mash gently with a fork – I like to leave it a bit chunky for texture. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out the four slices of bread. Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwich.
4. Layer the Fillings: On the un-buttered side of two slices of bread, layer your fillings. Start with half of the grated cheddar cheese, followed by the cooked chicken strips, and then a generous layer of the avocado mash. Top with the remaining cheese.
5. Close and Grill: Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, butter-side-up. Carefully place the assembled sandwiches into the same frying pan you used for the chicken (no need to wash it!).
6. Toast to Perfection: Cook over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side. I find that pressing down gently with a spatula helps the cheese melt evenly and gives the bread a fantastic crust. The sandwich is ready when both sides are a deep golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbling at the edges.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the pan and let them rest for a minute. This is a crucial step as it allows the filling to set slightly and prevents it from spilling out when you cut it. Slice in half and serve immediately.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Temperature Control: Keep your pan on a medium to medium-low heat when grilling. If the heat is too high, the bread will burn before the cheese has a chance to melt properly. Patience is key for that perfect golden crust.
• The Secret Step: Don’t be tempted to butter the inside of the bread. Buttering the outside is what creates that crisp, golden, restaurant-quality finish. It’s a technique I learned that completely elevates any grilled sandwich. For a deeper dive, Serious Eats explores using mayonnaise, but I still prefer the flavour of good butter.
• Make-Ahead: You can cook the chicken up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The avocado mash is best made fresh to prevent it from browning, but the lime juice will help preserve it for a couple of hours.
• Storage: This chicken avocado melt is definitely best eaten fresh. However, if you have leftovers, wrap them tightly in foil and store them in the fridge for up to one day. Reheat in a dry frying pan over a low heat until warmed through and crisp again.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large frying pan or skillet (non-stick is great for this)
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Medium mixing bowl
• Small bowl
• Spatula

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the pan: When cooking the chicken, make sure it’s in a single layer. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of browning, and you’ll miss out on that lovely flavourful crust. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Wrong temperature: As mentioned, a scorching hot pan will lead to a burnt exterior and a cold interior. A gentle, medium heat allows the heat to penetrate the sandwich, melting the cheese perfectly as the bread toasts.
• Skipping the rest time: It’s tempting to dive right in, but letting the melt rest for just 60 seconds allows the molten cheese to firm up slightly. This means your first bite won’t result in a lap full of filling.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the best things about this avocado melt recipe is how adaptable it is. Here are a few of our favourite ways to change it up:

• Spicy Version: Add a few slices of fresh jalapeño with the chicken or mix a little sriracha into the avocado mash for a fiery kick. A spicy cheese like Pepper Jack also works brilliantly.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for thick slices of halloumi or extra-firm tofu. Just pan-fry them with the same spices until golden before assembling the sandwich.
• Different Protein: This recipe is fantastic with leftover shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced turkey breast, or even crispy bacon. For another easy chicken idea, try adapting my Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders for a sweet and savoury twist.

What to Serve With This Chicken Avocado Melt

While this cheesy chicken sandwich is a complete meal on its own, a few simple sides can round it out nicely.

• A simple rocket salad: A peppery rocket salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette provides a fresh, sharp contrast to the rich melt.
• Sweet potato fries: For a more substantial meal, crispy sweet potato fries are a wonderful companion.
• A crisp drink: A cold, crisp lager or a sharp, homemade lemonade cuts through the richness of the cheese and avocado beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich

A hearty and delicious grilled sandwich, packed with seasoned chicken strips, creamy avocado mash, and gooey melted cheddar cheese on sourdough bread.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 2 sandwiches

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 785

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 300g total), sliced into thin strips
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
• A pinch of red chilli flakes optional
• 4 slices of sourdough or other sturdy bread
• 30 g unsalted butter softened
• 120 g mature cheddar cheese grated

Method

 

1. Season and Cook the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken strips with the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until it's cooked through and slightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Prepare the Avocado Mash: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the avocado. Halve the avocado, remove the stone, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add the lime juice, chopped coriander, and optional red chilli flakes. Mash gently with a fork – I like to leave it a bit chunky for texture. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out the four slices of bread. Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwich.
4. Layer the Fillings: On the un-buttered side of two slices of bread, layer your fillings. Start with half of the grated cheddar cheese, followed by the cooked chicken strips, and then a generous layer of the avocado mash. Top with the remaining cheese.
5. Close and Grill: Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, butter-side-up. Carefully place the assembled sandwiches into the same frying pan you used for the chicken (no need to wash it!).
6. Toast to Perfection: Cook over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side. I find that pressing down gently with a spatula helps the cheese melt evenly and gives the bread a fantastic crust. The sandwich is ready when both sides are a deep golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbling at the edges.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the pan and let them rest for a minute. This is a crucial step as it allows the filling to set slightly and prevents it from spilling out when you cut it. Slice in half and serve immediately.

Notes

Let the sandwich rest for a minute before slicing. This helps the melted cheese and fillings set, preventing them from spilling out.

I really hope you enjoy making this Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich Recipe. It’s a true favourite in my kitchen for its satisfying flavours and how simply it all comes together. If you’re looking for another comforting and cheesy dinner idea, you might also like my Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe. Please let me know how you get on in the comments below – I love hearing about your creations! Happy cooking! – Sara