Crock-Pot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
~ Looking for a quick and easy dinner that’ll have the whole family asking for seconds? These Crock-Pot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches are a snap to make, and the homemade Caesar dressing is packed with protein! Healthy and delicious! ~
Now that the kids are out of school, summer is already in full swing. This pretty much means that we’re on the run from sun-up to sun-down. And I love it! It’s a break from school and our regular schedule … with loads of really fun things to do!!
But all the activities can leave us a little hungry, ya know? Sure, we make Snack Bites like it’s our job. Those totally keep us going during the day.
But mealtime is when we seriously refuel. Healthy, nutritious, filling. Yeah … that’s what we need! Dinner!
“Well, gosh, Gretchen! I’m so busy during the day with trips to the zoo, baseball games, hanging at the pool, day camps, family bike trips … how can I possibly provide a wholesome dinner?” you say in your head (but I can somehow hear you).
You guys!! Remember?? The slow cooker!!
Seriously! Take a look at our little tutorial video for this recipe and see how ridiculously easy these Chicken Caesar Sandwiches are to make … in the slow cooker!
Video Tutorial
Are you feelin’ it now?!? The slow cooker is the answer!
Remember our 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos (which you guys loooooved so much they’ve become one of our most popular recipes EVER)?!?! And what about our Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches and those North Carolina BBQ Chicken Sandwiches everyone keeps raving about? Oh, right … the slow cooker! … and all those possibilities for healthy, easy recipes that’ll totally make your busy life soooooo much easier! After you make these amazing sammies tonight, be sure to check out all Our Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Ever for even more inspiration!
But anyway … back to these fabulous Chicken Caesar Sandwiches …
No, no. I know what time of year it is. And no, I’m not crazy. (Well … I guess that depends on who you ask!)
I know a lot of you hear crock pot and you immediately think of wintertime soups and chilis and stews.
But I’m not gonna stop with the crock pot recipes until every.last.one.of.you realizes how amazing those little electric gems are! Especially in the summer!
Sure, crock pots and stews go together like a stamp on a letter. Totally awesome for those chilly winter nights!
But … crock pots and effortless summer dinners go together like … ummm … pool days and flip-flops! Or sunshine and smiles! Errr … you know what I mean. Go with me.
Before I dash out the door, I can toss some chicken and spices in – and poof! Dinner is ready when we get home! It’s … simply magical!
Oh! And, the kitchen doesn’t get all heated up from the oven being on. Hot kitchen on a hot summer day … ewwww.
And clean up is a breeze. Absolutely simple. I love that. ‘Cause we certainly don’t slow down after dinner!
Ahh … yes … summer crock pot cooking is bliss!! Are you on board now??? It’s the most perfect solution for busy summer days!!
And as if life in the summer wasn’t super fun and exciting enough, I decided it was time to really amp things up around here … and my crock pots (yes, I own multiples) will play a key role in feeding us this summer.
Are you on the edge of your seat? What could it be?? What is this super fun-ness I’m adding??
Well, I’m stoked about my upcoming … total kitchen remodel!! Gahhhh!!!! I can hardly contain myself!!
Our kitchen now, just doesn’t really work for me. Sure there are things about it I like, but there are also things that drive me cuckoo. So we are (ahem, I mean, my trusty contractor will be) totally gutting the kitchen, down to the studs and starting from scratch!
Super exciting! And a teeeeeeensy bit stressful!
Even though I’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen since we moved here five years ago, I’ve been a little, shall we say, overwhelmed with all of the decisions that needed to be made.
Did you know there are approximately 4,823,098,492 shades of white/off white/cream? Good grief! And just as many choices for flooring! It’s definitely been a big project planning everything, but we’re incredibly excited for the outcome!
But … for the five weeks or so that my kitchen will be in various phases of unbuilding and rebuilding, I really won’t be able to use the stove. So we’ll grill a lot … and I’ll be using my slow cookers a TON!!
If one thing is certain, I know my family will request these Chicken Caesar Sandwiches several times over the course of the summer. These are a fave!
My littlest even requested that I serve them at her birthday party a few years ago! That’s huge coming from a kiddo! So I made these tasty sandwiches, as well as sloppy joes. It was a fantastic family party, and everyone loved the food!
Years ago, I’d seen a really simple recipe on Pinterest for Chicken Caesar Sandwiches. There weren’t even any spices! It called for bottled Caesar dressing, but I had trouble finding one that I loved the taste of, and that I felt good serving to my family. I thought my Chicken Caesar Sandwich days were over. Then one day, I was visiting Hidden Fruits and Veggies … and Kelly shared a recipe for homemade Caesar dressing! I coulda reached through my screen and hugged her!
So I knew it could be done! I could make my own dressing for these sandwiches! One that would make Caesar himself proud! I was inspired!
The dressing for these sandwiches is creamy with just a little zing from the Dijon mustard. Best part – this dressing is made with ingredients you’ve already got on hand! So that means no anchovies (even if you’ve got those, we won’t need ’em!). Also, many Caesar dressings contain raw egg – but not mine! Nope! We keep things simple, easy, and not questionable here at THK. 🙂
So even if your kitchen won’t be in a constant state of disarray this summer, I still highly recommend becoming besties with your slow cooker over the next few months. It’s the easiest, fastest, most amazing way to get a home-cooked meal on the table! And … psssst … you just might want to start with these chicken sandwiches!
Crock-Pot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
These easy Crock-Pot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches feature a much healthier (and super delicious) homemade Caesar dressing!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Dressing:
- 2 (5.3-ounce) containers nonfat plain Greek yogurt (or about a scant 1 1/4 cups)
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons smooth Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/16 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving:
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh flat leaf (Italian) parsley
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Whole wheat buns or whole wheat pita pockets
- Romaine lettuce
- Additional shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker and add water.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper on chicken.
- Cook for 4-5 hours on high, or 5-6 hours on low, until chicken is thoroughly cooked but still moist and fall-apart tender. (See note.)
- Meanwhile, stir together Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/16 teaspoon pepper. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. (You can make the dressing ahead of time and cover and refrigerate it until needed.)
- Near the end of cooking (and preferably about 30 minutes before serving), check chicken to be sure it's fully cooked and then shred cooked chicken (using two forks). Stir reserved Caesar dressing into chicken in crock pot, and then continue cooking for about 30 minutes more, to allow flavors to meld. (See note.)
- Immediately before serving, stir in fresh parsley and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Serve on whole wheat buns or in whole wheat pita pockets with Romaine lettuce, and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Slow cooker variations: The exact heat and speed of cooking can vary between different slow cookers. Some slow cookers, especially newer models, may cook hotter and faster than others. Our research has also led us to believe that some models allow for imperceptible evaporation of liquid (although you’d expect that no liquid would be lost when using a slow cooker), which can leave your recipes less saucy and moist. Because this particular recipe uses very little liquid, it’s particularly sensitive to these variations. No need to worry – it’s delicious even when cooked until it’s a bit drier, particularly since the creamy Caesar dressing adds moisture. The key is simply to control the cook time and temperature to yield the most juicy, fall-apart-tender result.
Adding Caesar dressing: For best results, leave the Caesar dressing and chicken in the crock pot for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and meld together. You can eat the sandwiches immediately after stirring in the Caesar dressing, but the flavors may be stronger and more pronounced.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 2/3 cup chickenAmount Per Serving: Calories: 277Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4g
Nutrition information is provided for chicken mixture only, as nutrition can vary for the bread/buns depending on what you choose to use. Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may additionally vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
This was delicious. I didn’t have time to slow cook so I baked my chicken in a casserole dish and once the chicken was just done I shredded it and returned it to the oven with the sauce to bake a further 30 minutes. You were so right about giving it that extra time for the flavours to develop. When I first mixed the sauce and tasted it I thought the recipe was going to be a dud (the soy was so strong at first) but after that half hour… mmmmm. Had the chilled leftovers in a salad the next day, also delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Making a batch today to have for a work lunch throughout the week.
Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Heather! Really made my day! 😀 So glad to hear this turned out well for you! Baking the chicken separately is a great idea for anyone trying to save time — thanks so much for sharing. I think bringing these to work is also a great idea … so much healthy power to get you through your day! 🙂 ~Amy
Hello. I love this recipe but wondered how much chicken to use if making this for a crowd of 10 people so there could also be leftovers.
Hi, Tammy! I’m so glad you love this recipe! It typically makes about 4 cups, which should be enough to make 6 good-sized sandwiches. Theoretically, then, if each guest only wants one sandwich, doubling the batch should make more than enough for everyone! However, if you think they’ll be pretty hungry (if you’re not serving a lot of appetizers or sides, for example), and you want plenty of leftovers, then you might consider tripling the batch to be safe. Hope that’s helpful — and hope you all enjoy!
~Amy
Should chicken be frozen or thawed?
Great question, Amber! We actually wrote an entire post to address this question, when another of our readers posted a similar inquiry on our 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos recipe (https://twohealthykitchens.com/3-ingredient-crock-pot-chicken-tacos/). The short answer is that it’s not considered safe to use frozen chicken or other frozen meat in your slow cooker, so all of our slow cooker recipes here at THK begin with fresh or properly thawed meats. To read the full deets, you can check out our article “Is It Safe to Use Frozen Meat in Your Crock-Pot?” at https://twohealthykitchens.com/is-it-safe-to-use-frozen-meat-in-your-crock-pot/. Thanks for the terrific question! Can’t wait for you to give this recipe a try – it’s one of our very most popular recipes! ~Shelley
One of the best recipes I’ve made in months. Easy and delicious. I usually don’t follow recipes exactly, but this one I did and it was perfect. I was worried about the chicken to dressing ratio but it was perfect. Tangy, creamy, and flavorful! Only thing I left out was parsley just because I didn’t want to buy a big bunch of it. I served the chicken in warm whole wheat pitas, with romaine lettuce, and with sweet potato fries as the side. I also used a different shredded cheese blend (parm, asiago, provolone, fontina) I found in the specialty cheese section and it was great. Would recommend and make again.
What a wonderful message to receive today, Mary! I was away for nearly two weeks and am trying to get caught back up (so sorry for the delay in responding!), and it made me so happy to read your sweet message! Thanks bunches for taking a moment to leave your feedback and detail exactly what ingredients you used (that’s really helpful for other readers who might consider purchasing slightly different items or leaving out the parsley). I’m so delighted you enjoyed these sandwiches and really appreciate your comment! Hope you’re having a terrific summer and that I’ll hear from you again soon! ~Shelley
This was so easy! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. It’s so perfect for summer.
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback and really sweet comment, Rebecca! Totally makes my day, because no matter how much my own family looooooves a recipe, I’m always so thrilled to hear that other families enjoy it, too! And I’m especially glad to hear that you found the recipe easy to make – it’s such a goal of mine to create healthy recipes that are actually do-able, so that’s particularly great feedback! Have a fantastic weekend, and thank you so much again – I hope you’ll try some of our other recipes, and I’ll hear from you again soon! ~Shelley