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Balsamic chicken salad always makes a family favorite meal and this version as an easy, yet flavorful balsamic chicken sandwich is out of this world!
I really can’t take much credit for these. They were actually my husband’s idea. I had made balsamic chicken for another purpose, but he came home from work for lunch and decided these chicken salad sandwiches were what he wanted.
We had all of the ingredients on hand since my son is now a bit obsessed with croissants from the local bakery. Otherwise, these would have been just fine on another type of bread.
I tossed my balsamic chicken into my stand mixer with some cream cheese, a little of the balsamic marinade I’d reduced and let the mixer work magic in making the quick chicken salad. Oh my goodness y’all, the balsamic chicken is so full of flavor and tender from cooking in the slow cooker. It just melts in your mouth. And then mixing with just a little bit of cream cheese to hold it together – it just becomes such a flavorful chicken salad. Ahh-mazing!
Anywho, I halved and toasted the croissants, layered on some spinach, the chicken salad, and slices of Monterey Jack cheese and then popped them back into the oven just to let the cheese begin to melt.
These easy little sandwiches that began with ingredients that were going to be something else entirely were scrumptious!
And my sweet husband was beaming.
I think he may be trying to take over my job as the foodie in the house or something.
If he starts taking photos of our food, I’m in trouble.
Oh wait, that could be a good thing.
Here’s the recipe for his Toasted Balsamic Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
Toasted Balsamic Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Chicken:
- 2-4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 teaspoons honey
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
For the Sandwich:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 6 large croissants halved and toasted
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Place all ingredients for the balsamic chicken (through garlic) into insert of slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Remove chicken from insert and pour balsamic sauce into a small sauce pan over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350º F.
- Break apart chicken into large chunks and mix together with cream cheese and about ¼ cup of reduced balsamic sauce. Set aside.
- Layer spinach, prepared balsamic chicken salad, and cheese on one half of croissant. Place into oven for 5 minutes or until cheese has begun to melt. Drizzle with more balsamic sauce, if desired. Remove from oven and top with other half of toasted croissant.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Hope ya love em!
Robyn
Updated from a post previously published January 2013.
I love chicken salad on croissants and I also love how unique this chicken salad is. I can’t wait to make it!
This sandwich must be bursting with flavor!
I am making this tonight! I can’t wait, I have everything on hand and have 4 kids and a needy husband! These sound amazing, thanks so much for the idea!
I hope you feel better soon, Denise!
I made the chicken in the crockpot last night and wanted to let you know it is a winner! It is so flavorful. We used the shredded chicken on whole wheat tortillas and added spinach, tomatoes, roasted red peppers and shredded mozzarella.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lori! I love that chicken and it really has so many uses. How you used it sound delicious!
This looks like a wonderful lunch option! I get so bored with my typical sandwiches but this looks flavorful and delicious!
These we absolutely amazing!!!
I love chicken salad on croissants! Can’t wait to try this!
Your husband is a genius! (And so are you!) These are delicious sandwiches. I served mine on homemade rolls. Thanks for a delicious recipe.
Sounds like between your husband and your son you have two pretty amazing sous chefs in the kitchen with you! I am helpless in the face of croissant sandwiches – this one is a beauty!
They do help keep things interesting and always give opinions! I love it! Croissant sandwiches are my weakness. It is just impossible to resist them!
What a great idea. I’m always looking for lunch ideas and this is one I hadn’t thought of .
Thanx!
Anything on a croissant & I’m sold! This chicken salad sounds amazing!
Thanks so much, Marla!
can your husband talk to my husband?!! 🙂 my hubby has good ideas when it comes to recipes. . some times. . but now that I cook a lot, he has suddenly forgotten what to do in the kitchen. . at least he helps with the dishes. . sometimes. . 😛 love the balsamic chicken!!!!
Your husband has good taste! And LOVE the toasted croissant — I bet it’s incredible with that chicken salad!
Thanks, Ashley. The toasted croissant just throws it into a whole new ballgame. So good!
OMG I would totally hug you if I could! I don’t eat mayo (that includes miracle whip) or mustard. I am so glad you’ve come up with a chicken salad I can eat!
I hope you love it, Brooke!!! xo
I missed the part about adding 1/4 cup of the sauce and what you said about putting it in your mixer. Just chunked it up and mixed with the cream cheese. It wasn’t as good as it sounded but should be better with the added sauce. Have another chicken piece to try again.Also used colby cheese since jack wasn’t on sale when I shopped!
I have yet to make something from this website that isn’t a complete hit with the entire family. Keep it coming! 🙂
I love this recipe, however, I do not have balsamic vinegar but have balsamic vinaigrette dressing, can I substitute?
I stumbled on this recipe and LOVE it!! It is one of my 4 year olds favorite meals. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad your little one love it! xo
How do I make the balsamic sauce?
Hi Kayla,
You’ll just add all the ingredients as noted in the recipe for Balsamic Chicken and let it cook as instructed in #1. Then the sauce that remains when removing the chicken will be the balsamic sauce that you will then reduce to use in your finished sandwich. Thanks! xo