Leftover Pizza Chicken Sandwich (Print)

A creative sandwich combining pizza slices, shredded chicken, arugula, and melted cheese for a comforting meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Sandwich

01 - 4 cold leftover pizza slices, preferably uniform size and thickness
02 - 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, rotisserie or leftover
03 - 1 cup fresh arugula
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend
05 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or softened butter for grilling

→ Seasonings

07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - Pinch of salt (optional, adjust based on pizza saltiness)

# Directions:

01 - Arrange two pizza slices crust-side down on a cutting board. Optionally, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the interior surfaces for added moisture and flavor.
02 - Distribute shredded chicken evenly over each slice. Sprinkle with black pepper and, if desired, a pinch of salt.
03 - Top the chicken with a generous handful of fresh arugula, then evenly sprinkle shredded cheese over it.
04 - Place the remaining two pizza slices crust-side up over the fillings to close the sandwiches.
05 - Warm olive oil or butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet, press gently with a spatula, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until cheese is melted and crust turns golden and crisp.
07 - Remove sandwiches from skillet, let rest for 1 minute, then slice in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Transforms tired leftovers into something that tastes deliberately crafted, not like you're just cleaning out the fridge.
  • Ready in twenty minutes, which means you can go from "what's for lunch" to actually eating something satisfying before you lose interest.
  • The contrast of crispy, buttery pizza crust against tender chicken and peppery greens hits every texture you didn't know you were craving.
02 -
  • Cold pizza is non-negotiable; room temperature or warm pizza falls apart and becomes a textural mess in the pan.
  • Don't press too hard while cooking—a gentle hand keeps the filling where it belongs and prevents the crust from compacting into a hockey puck.
03 -
  • Pat your arugula dry with paper towels before assembling—excess moisture steams the crust and makes it soggy instead of crispy.
  • If your pizza slices are too thin, they'll bend; if they're too thick, the cheese won't melt in time; medium-thickness is the sweet spot that lets everything finish together.
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