Should we serenade each other with our all-time favorite cheesiest songs? (<– I call dibs on “My Heart Will Go On!”, a.k.a. the ultra-dramatic-background-music-to-my-first-kiss-at-freshman-homecoming, to which I may have memorized every word and learned the accompanying pennywhistle part, of course. ?)
Or how about we tell each other the cheesiest jokes? (What’s cheese’s favorite genre of music? RnBrie, of course. ?)
Or maybe try out some cheesy pick-up lines? (If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber, of course. ?)
Well now, I have to vote all of these…with a side of this Chicken Florentine Grilled Cheese, of course.
Actually, if you follow along on Arla’s Instagram feed today, I’m going to be sharing all sorts of fun recipes to celebrate #NationalGrilledCheeseDay. But here on the blog, I’m zooming in on this one in particular:
Chicken Florentine Grilled Cheese.
Made with crusty sourdough bread, juicy chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and the “cheesy” ingredient I’ve been obsessed with for awhile — Arla’s Naturally Good Sliced Cheeses. I’m excited to be partnering with them this year because their sliced cheeses are totally free of artificial flavors and preservatives, and they are absolutely delicious, and they are perfect for melting into ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwiches.
Like this one.
Look at that #cheesepull! (<– Just learned the name for that one, and apparently there’s an entire mouthwatering hashtag for it. Check it out.)
Seriously, I’m a fan of just about any grilled cheese sandwich. But this one with its bold colors, flavors, and ultra-melty cheese is definitely one of my new favorites. So grab some bread and cheese and your favorite toppings, and let’s raise a sandwich to a very delicious #NationalGrilledCheeseDay.
This Chicken Florentine Grilled Cheese recipe is quick and easy to make, full of delicious Italian flavors, and overflowing with ooey gooey melted cheese.
Heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, season the chicken with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink on the inside. Remove pan from heat, then transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice it into thin strips.
While the chicken is resting, butter one side of each piece of bread.
Place one slice (butter-side down) on your prep surface. Layer it evenly with 1-2 cheese slices, followed by the chicken slices, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and the remaining slice of bread (butter-side up).
Rinse out the saute pan (if needed), then return it to the stove over medium-high heat. Carefully transfer the sandwich to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese starts to melt. Carefully flip the sandwich to the other side, and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the bread is toasted.
Remove from pan, slice the sandwich down the middle, and serve warm.
Notes
*For a shortcut, you could also just shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of sauteing the chicken breast.
*I just used fresh (uncooked) baby spinach for my sandwich. But if you prefer sauteed spinach, you’re welcome to wilt the spinach in the saute pan after the chicken has finished cooking.
This post has been sponsored by Arla. I’m partnering with them to create some new recipes this year with their simply-better cheeses that I absolutely love. Thanks for supporting the brands who help make this site possible!
I wish I had known about National Grilled Cheese day sooner! That’s totally something I would celebrate – BIG TIME. Love this recipe, will definitely have to save it for later!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks Vivian — we hope you can make this soon, and that you love it! :)
Oh my goodness gracious this sandwich is KILLER! I am obsessed with sun-dried tomatoes and I love the addition of these in the recipe. Absolutely gorgeous photos!!
So, as I woke up this morning I thought, “I could use a really good grilled cheese.” I think that my body just knew, deep down, that it was Grilled Cheese Day even though my brain didn’t know until just now. :)
If you said CHEESE !! count me in :) This grilled cheese sandwich looks so delicious…. I am feeling hungry now!
Happy National Grilled Cheese Day Ali !
I’m based in London and I always crave for the different types of cuisine or recipes (bit spicy :)) I found your blog when I was looking for some chicken recipes. You have an amazing list of recipes. I think even if I make one recipe a week, it is going to last for the year. Thanks
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks for your sweet words Chintan! We hope you enjoy whatever you make! :)
This recipe looks fantastic and as soon as I can get to a store, when this deep freeze ends, I will get the spinach and chicken ?also with the tomatoes.
I made this at the last minute last night and it turned out perfectly! I love the combination of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes (which for some reason I don’t think I’ve ever actually had before…), and spinach. It was simple, quick to make, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
I made this sandwich for lunch and added a few slices of sauteed mushroom and Chipotle Mayo for a little zing and my college going son just gobbled it up ! Thank you for a wonderful and easy recipe ! Now I can’t wait to try the rest of your recipes :)
Hey, I’m Ali!
My favorite thing in life is time spent around the table. And all the better with some seriously tasty food to bring us all together. more about me »
Wonderful recipe. I have never used sun-dried tomatoes, but i will try this recipe. It looks both healthy and delicious. Thanks!
Thanks Sean — we hope you enjoy! :)
I wish I had known about National Grilled Cheese day sooner! That’s totally something I would celebrate – BIG TIME. Love this recipe, will definitely have to save it for later!
Thanks Vivian — we hope you can make this soon, and that you love it! :)
❤️ Looks so delicious!
Thanks Karen — we hope you enjoy! :)
Oh my goodness gracious this sandwich is KILLER! I am obsessed with sun-dried tomatoes and I love the addition of these in the recipe. Absolutely gorgeous photos!!
Thanks Marina — we hope you enjoy it! :)
Happy Grilled Cheese Day! Your sandwich is the perfect way to celebrate!
Happy Grilled Cheese Day to you too, Maria! :D
Happy Grilled Cheese Day to you Maria! :D
So, as I woke up this morning I thought, “I could use a really good grilled cheese.” I think that my body just knew, deep down, that it was Grilled Cheese Day even though my brain didn’t know until just now. :)
Watching that cheese melt and stretch is the best part of my day! That and that delicious looking grilled chicken! So so good!
Thanks Samina — we hope you enjoy this! :)
Yeah, I could totally go for one of these right about now. YUM!!!
Thanks Erin — we hope you can make this soon! :)
I like to put sun dried tomatoes on pretty much everything, so yes please!
Kari
If you said CHEESE !! count me in :) This grilled cheese sandwich looks so delicious…. I am feeling hungry now!
Happy National Grilled Cheese Day Ali !
I’m based in London and I always crave for the different types of cuisine or recipes (bit spicy :)) I found your blog when I was looking for some chicken recipes. You have an amazing list of recipes. I think even if I make one recipe a week, it is going to last for the year. Thanks
Thanks for your sweet words Chintan! We hope you enjoy whatever you make! :)
Looks great. A new kind of grilled cheese to me, thanks for the idea
Thanks Keith — we hope you enjoy this! :)
And this is how to make a sandwich into a piece of art :)
Thank you Fellice — we hope you enjoy this! :)
Wow this looks amazing!
Thanks, Aarti — we hope you enjoy!
This recipe looks fantastic and as soon as I can get to a store, when this deep freeze ends, I will get the spinach and chicken ?also with the tomatoes.
I made this at the last minute last night and it turned out perfectly! I love the combination of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes (which for some reason I don’t think I’ve ever actually had before…), and spinach. It was simple, quick to make, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
I made this sandwich for lunch and added a few slices of sauteed mushroom and Chipotle Mayo for a little zing and my college going son just gobbled it up ! Thank you for a wonderful and easy recipe ! Now I can’t wait to try the rest of your recipes :)