I could eat this sandwich once a week for the rest of my life! Some of my favorite recipes just happen on the spot, and this (as a number of my recipes are) was the happy lovechild of a photo shoot. We had made a creamy avocado dip/spread, some simply cooked roast chicken, some crispy oven-baked bacon, and had some ciabatta rolls on hand. And gosh darn it if we didn’t think to put them all together into one delightful chicken sandwich.

I served the sandwich with Herb Orzo Salad. It’s not like the sandwich needs a side — or maybe it just needs a handful of potato chips— but it sure did make a pretty plate. Make a pitcher of Homemade Lemonade and serve it with these sandwiches for perfect lunch.

Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado Spread Sandwich: A creamy avocado spread turns a chicken sandwich into a lunch to remember (and the bacon doesn’t hurt).

Chicken and Bacon Sandwich Ingredients

• Unsalted butter or olive oil – To toast up the bread.
• Ciabatta rolls – I like the crunchy fluffiness of ciabatta, but any roll could work. And if you prefer, use slices of country white bread or sourdough.
• Creamy Avocado Dip – If you don’t feel like making the avocado dip/spread, and you want to sub in sliced avocado, surely do that (though I will admit this isn’t much of a recipe at that point).
• Cooked chicken breast – You can use any cooked chicken you have around, from rotisserie chicken to grilled chicken breasts. For this sandwich, I like sliced breast meat, though you could use a cooked thin or pounded chicken cutlet.
• Cooked bacon – I feel like the bacon is non-negotiable, but that’s a personal opinion.
• Baby spinach – I added some fresh baby spinach, which I had on hand, and I think arugula would also be a nice addition.

How to Make Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado Spread Sandwiches

1. Toast the bread: Browning the bread first makes a world of difference. All you have to do is heat a bit of butter or maybe olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When it’s melted hot, place the bread cut side down in the pan and let it sit for about 2 minutes until the underside is browned in spots. Then, proceed with the sandwich building.
2. Assemble: Slather that bread with the avocado spread. If you’re really feeling it, you might spread the top and bottom of the roll with it. Then layer on the chicken, bacon, and spinach. It’s very casual and low-pressure. Top with the other half of the bread and you’re ready to go!

Variations

• Other forms of avocado would work great here. Get creative! You could use sliced avocado, mashed avocado, or even guacamole.
• For another creamy alternative to the avocado spread, try another thick delicious sauce like tzatziki or green goddess dressing. You can also easily turn a ranch dressing recipe into a more spreadable dip for the sandwich.
• Add some sliced tomatoes if you like, or roasted red peppers.

Make-Ahead Chicken and Bacon Sandwiches

There’s not a lot of prep work to this recipe, and it comes together in just a few minutes. Make the chicken and bacon in advance or use leftover shredded or grilled chicken.

I wouldn’t recommend putting the sandwiches together too far in advance because the avocado spread will sog up the bread. However, they would be great packed for a picnic, and could be assembled a few hours in advance.

What to Serve With Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado Sandwich

Herb Orzo Salad

Classic Macaroni Salad

Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Feta, and Herbed Mayonnaise

More Sandwich Recipes to Check Out

• Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
• Grinder Sandwich
• Turkey Reuben Sandwiches
• The Classic Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich
• The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich