The Chicken, Bacon, Spinach Stack

the Story

This sandwich is a hearty, flavor-packed creation that’s sure to satisfy. Juicy, tender chicken is roasted with a smoky, spiced BBQ dry rub, infusing every bite with bold, savory flavor. Crispy bacon adds a perfect salty crunch, while the spinach mixture—a delicious blend of sautéed spinach, sweet roasted tomatoes, and savory Parmesan cheese—brings a burst of earthy, creamy richness. All these layers are stacked high on a toasted everything-seasoned ciabatta, adding an extra punch of flavor with its garlicky, oniony crust. Every bite of this sandwich is a satisfying balance of smoky, salty, and creamy, making it an unforgettable meal.

the Ingredients

This Recipe makes about 8 Sandwiches.

• (4) Chicken Breasts

  • For the Dry Rub:

    • Trader Joe's Coffee & Garlic BBQ Rub & Seasoning

    • If you do not have a Trader Joe's near you, use the following seasonings per Chicken Breast. The goal is to achieve a thin layer of dry rub over each Chicken Breast:

      • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder

      • 1 Tsp Onion Powder

      • 1 Tsp Sea Salt

      • 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika

      • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

• (16) Strips of Bacon (2 Strips Per Sandwich), Cooked according to Package

• (8) Everything Ciabatta Rolls (Trader Joe's sells a 4-Pack)

• (16) Slices of White Cheddar Cheese (2 Slices Per Sandwich)

  • Or, Trader Joe's sells a seasonal Garlic Basil Monterey

• (1) 6 oz. bag of Baby Spinach

  • For Sauteing:

    • 1 Tsp Onion Salt

    • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder

• (1) 5 oz. Jar of Slow Roasted Tomatoes

• 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

• Olive Oil for Marinating the Chicken Breasts and Sauteing the Spinach

the Instructions

• Roasting the Chicken Breasts

  • Preheat the Oven to 425 Degrees.

  • Trim any excess fat off each Chicken Breast.

  • Place each Chicken Breast in a large mixing bowl, and cover all sides with Olive Oil. Let the Chicken sit in the oil for about 15 minutes, flipping occasionally with tongs.

  • Place each Chicken Breast onto a cutting board and apply an even coating of dry rub to all sides.

  • Once coated, place each Chicken Breast onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  • Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken has reached a desired temperature of 165 Degrees.

  • Let the Chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will ensure a more tender and flavorful result.

  • Then, slice into thin strips. Thickness is based on your preference.

• Sauteing the Spinach

  • In a large skillet, drizzle the Olive Oil and set the temperature to medium heat. Add the Baby Spinach and season with Onion Salt and Garlic Powder. Sauté the Spinach until fully wilted. Then, drain any excess oil and place the cooked spinach on a cutting board to chop into finer pieces. Set aside.

• Creating the Spinach, Tomato, and Parmesan Spread

  • Drain any excess oil from the Jar of Roasted Tomatoes. Then, dice the tomatoes into finer pieces.

  • Mix the Sauteed Spinach and Tomatoes together, and combine with a 1/2 Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese. Feel free to add more cheese to your liking.

  • Set Aside.

• Cooking the Bacon

  • Cook according to the package instructions.

  • Then, break each strip in half, and set aside.

• The Assembly

  • Adjust the Oven temperature to 400 Degrees.

  • Cut each Ciabatta Roll in half on a cutting board.

  • Working with the bottom piece of Ciabatta, pull out some of the insides to create a space for the filling.

  • Fill the space with a thin layer of the Spinach, Tomato, and Parmesan Spread.

  • Place an even layer of Chicken Strips over the Spinach Mixture. If you're adventurous, you can place two layers of Chicken Strips.

  • Place a slice of Cheese over the Chicken Strips.

  • Place the open-faced sandwiches in the Oven for 15 minutes, or until Cheese is melted and slightly golden brown.

  • Remove the open-faced sandwiches from the oven, and place the bacon halves on each sandwich, about 2 strips per sandwich.

  • Add another slice of Cheese over the bacon halves.

  • Place the top of the Ciabatta Roll over each Sandwich.

  • For extra Flavor, spread a little Olive Oil over the top of each Ciabatta Roll and sprinkle with a thin layer of Grated Parmesan Cheese.

  • Place the fully-stacked sandwich back in the oven for another 5 minutes.

  • Enjoy!