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Grill/Barbecue

Green Goddess Chicken Sandwiches

by:
June 12, 2013
4.4
5 Ratings
Photo by Brinda Ayer
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

I'm officially in love with this healthy, creamy, herby sauce. It has a little tang from white balsamic vinegar and fresh lemon juice, and a bit of sweetness from honey. You can adapt this recipe for any leafy green herb you have around and you don't need four different herbs -- just a few would be fine. (Chervil, mint, and tarragon would be good, too. You could also put some spinach or green onions in the sauce. Do whatever you want!) Then grill up some chicken, dollop the sauce on, top with spinach and tomato, and enjoy! You could also shred up the chicken, toss it with the sauce, and make Green Goddess Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

Sandwich fan? Tune into our podcast, The Sandwich Universe, where co-hosts and longtime BFFs Molly Baz and Declan Bond debate and cook up iconic sandwiches every ‘wich way. —foxeslovelemons

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: Foxeslovelemons is a Detroit resident whose primary kitchen rule is that everything is better with a poached egg on top.
WHAT: Green goddess dressing makes a regular chicken sandwich into a meal worthy for the deities (and it’s also good for the rest of us, too).
HOW: Grill chicken breasts, make a creamy green goddess sauce in the food processor, and then construct the perfect sandwich.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This grilled chicken sandwich is delicious in its own right, but it’s also the perfect vehicle for a dressing that we can make with any fresh herbs. The creamy avocado and the tangy Greek yogurt come together in a bright, smooth sauce that adds plenty of flavor to a simple summer dinner. We’ll welcome many more avocado-based condiments in the future. —The Editors

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Ingredients
  • 2 chicken breasts, cut crosswise in half and pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
  • Nonstick cooking spray or neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 small clove garlic (or 1/2 of a larger clove)
  • 1/2 cup fresh herbs (I used 2 tablespoons each basil, chives, cilantro, and parsley)
  • 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 7 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 4 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
Directions
  1. Prepare grill for direct grilling over medium heat. Spray the chicken with nonstick spray (or brush with a neutral oil) and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and ground black pepper.
  2. Place chicken on the hot grill rack and cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until chicken loses its pink color throughout and reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Remove the chicken from grill and let it stand 5 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the green goddess sauce: In a food processor, pulse garlic until finely chopped. Add herbs and pulse again until finely chopped.
  4. Add avocado, yogurt, honey, lemon juice, vinegar, ground white pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until mixture is well combined (there will be visible flecks of herbs).
  5. Build sandwiches using buns, spinach, chicken and Green Goddess Sauce.
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64 Reviews

Write a Review
Shoshana C. January 10, 2023
This was a good recipe! I liked that it had lots of veggies. I didn’t add lemon juice since I think it takes away from the acid in the vinegar. Also I did a mix of sheep’s yogurt and Mayo and oh big thing, I used fresh tarragon and dill! Put some smoked paprika on it when building the sandos.
I didn’t make the full recipe for the sauce so my measurements were free flowing.
ghainskom November 1, 2020
Didn't have spinach so used romana lettuce instead. Also added chinese 5-spice to the chicken seasoning. This recipe is now on repeat.
Wendy W. August 28, 2020
My family was not wowed by these sandwiches. I made pretty much as instructed, but used chicken thighs and slightly less honey. We found the sauce remarkably bland, despite the vinegar/lemon. It was fine, but I won't make it again.
Sabine G. July 6, 2019
These are SO DANG GOOD. I've made them a few times and oh, man! They get rave reviews each time!
Austin B. May 23, 2018
This sandwich deserves a restaurant around it, that's how good it was.
Linda K. July 7, 2017
I am going to try it with brioche buns, fresh tarragon from the garden and TJ’s Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar! Can't wait!
Morgan August 3, 2016
This was tasty. I used sage, parsley, thyme, oregano and rosemary from my garden, and it was good. Lots of extra dressing though. Probably 10x more than necessary, FYI.
judy July 30, 2016
The green goddess dressing looks wonderful. I always have some avocados around, and am mashing them up with all kinds of different ingredients that I have on hand. I also roast a chicken about once a week, mainly for sandwich meat. This will sure elevate the ones we have this coming week. Thank you.
Mila May 26, 2016
I really liked it, but if you want to keep it for another day, I suggest putting the sauce on the salad or on the meat so that it doesn't soak the bun!
meganvt01 March 25, 2016
Finally got around to making this one foxes - it was fantastic! The sauce was so flavorful and rich with the avo but bright with the herbs and lemon. Can't wait to slather the leftovers on whatever I have tomorrow! I had to LOL about the comments below. I've had a few people get fussy about some of my recipes like that - green goddess must have so and so! Who cares! It's a beautiful dish with a beautiful name. Thanks!
karen March 26, 2016
If it's avo in it w/spices and you made it up for me, the operative word is THANK YOU. ;-) I love people who can make up recipes and share them w/ me. If they are simple, it's even better. Gracias!!
foxeslovelemons March 28, 2016
Thank you so much, meganvt01 and karen! Your kind words brightened my day :)
ghainskom June 30, 2015
Made my chicken in a pan after coating with an egg and a half and half mix of bread crumbs and parmesan. Otherwise let the recipe as is. It's a nice one. A keeper.
Valerie N. January 20, 2015
I just made this. So delicious!! The green goddess.....so fantastic. Thanks for making my dinner devine.
Gregg January 20, 2015
Now this looks really delicious and something different from the "Chick-fil-a" mayo, lettuce and tomato!
David S. January 19, 2015
It's probably just a lighting-fluke, but in the picture it looks for all the world like the bun is sourdough. Even if it's not, (and as it's not in the recipe as such I assume it's not) that would be a sweet-tweak, for those lucky enough to have access to such a thing...
Anna January 12, 2015
Will dark balsamic vinegar ruin the dressing or just change the color? Don't have any white….
foxeslovelemons January 12, 2015
Hi Anna! Dark balsamic would certainly be just fine. However, if you have apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, those will work just as well, and not muddy the color, if that's a concern. Enjoy!
Joanne January 11, 2015
Does anyone know if you can make this dressing a day in advance?
foxeslovelemons January 11, 2015
It definitely can, Joanne! I've saved leftover dressing before, and it's still nice and green the next day. Just give it another stir before serving :) Enjoy!
CeeSoo September 30, 2014
My hubby and I loved this recipe so much that we are adding it to our "family favorites" cookbook - a rare honor! Thanks for sharing. As for the debate RE: green goddes: Get over it! If you don't like the recipe, then don't make it. The "culinary arts" boil down to one simple aspect: Does it taste good? The rest of it is all pompous posturing. If the most important thing in your life is correcting other people then YOU are the problem, not them.
foxeslovelemons October 1, 2014
Thanks so much, cyndi2774! I'm so glad you and your husband enjoyed it, no matter what it's named :)
Don M. September 30, 2014
Yesterday I harvested a lot of tarragon, chives and parsley from the garden and made the real Green Goddess Dressing. Made a wedge salad with a bunch of tiny heirloom tomatoes, delicious.
foxeslovelemons October 1, 2014
Hey Don! I thought you mentioned a month ago that you were at the end of your rant. Seems like you're still going. You're certainly welcome to leave as many comments on this recipe as you would like, but I can't retroactively change this recipe's name.
amp156 September 30, 2014
This is delicious and simple no matter what you call it. I've made several different variations. My favorite so far has been with mint and cilantro and subbing lime juice for the lemon, giving it a SE asian twist.
foxeslovelemons October 1, 2014
That sounds delicious, amp156! I'm all about adapting this for whatever herbs you have on hand!
Sarah S. September 25, 2014
Yum! Used parsley, sage, chives, and cilantro. Cut the whole recipe in half and there was a lot of sauce (looking forward to using it as a dip). Served everything on toasted whole grain bread along with red onion slices, roasted red bell peppers and red onion.
Sarah S. September 25, 2014
I meant red onion, roasted red bell peppers, and pepperoncinis.