If you like Chicago-style shredded beef sandwiches, you should try these Italian Shredded Chicken sandwiches.  This chicken is cooked with tons of flavor and made into the perfect sandwich with provolone cheese and banana peppers on crispy Italian bread.

Italian Dressing is probably my favorite marinade for chicken.   This shredded Italian chicken recipe is loaded with Italian seasonings and spices and makes fantastic sandwiches.  You can also prepare the chicken for meal prep and use it on grain bowls and salads.  You will love how rich this tastes!

I have lived in Iowa for most of my adult life, but I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area, and these sandwiches remind me of family parties, Portillos, and just being in the city in general.

What kind of bread should I use for these sandwiches?

I prefer to get an Italian load for a french baguette for these sandwiches, but you can also use hoagie rolls, toasted bread, or hamburger buns.

Do I have to use a slow cooker to make these?

I have included Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, and stovetop instructions.  If you choose to make these on the stovetop, a dutch oven is the best cooking vessel but not necessary.

Ingredients

2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts – you can also use chicken thighs, but I recommend breasts.

Two tablespoons of olive oil

2 cups of chicken broth- you can also use water and chicken bouillon

One packet of Italian dressing seasoning

Two teaspoons of garlic or garlic powder

1/2 small onion chopped

a dash of salt and pepper

Three tablespoons of brine from a jar of banana peppers

Sandwich ingredients

Italian Bread

Provolone or mozzarella cheese

sandwich garnishes

Banana Peppers

tomatoes

parmesan cheese

Bell Peppers and Onion s

Giardiniera or red pepper flakes for some spice

Can I use bottled Italian Salad dressing instead of the packet?

Yes, but I would reduce the amount of chicken broth if you do.

Can I use frozen Chicken in this recipe?

Yes.  The frozen chicken will work great with this recipe using the Instant Pot.  I recommend defrosting the chicken first if you are cooking this in the slow cooker or on the stove.

What is the best way to shred chicken?

Chicken generally shreds quickly on its own after being cooked in liquid.  You can shred the chicken using two forks or an electric hand mixer.  I recommend adding the chicken back into the liquid after it is shredded so the flavors can marinate.  You will get the best taste if you let the flavors marinate in the sauce as much as possible.

Instant Pot Directions

1. Turn on saute function.   Add olive oil, garlic, and onions, and saute until the onions are translucent.  Press cancel to stop the pot from sauting further.

2. Add Chicken, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, banana pepper brine, salt, and pepper.

3. Lock and secure the Instant Pot lid.  Rotate the pressure release valve to ” sealing” and cook manually with a cooking time of 15 minutes.  – I like to cook the shredded chicken longer than the recommended cooking time so that it will shred with the touch of a fork.

4. Quickly release the pressure.   Shred and add the chicken to the juices to marinate in the flavors.

5. Build your sandwich.

Slow Cooker directions.

1. In your slow cooker, dump all the ingredients.  Chicken, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil, broth, salt, pepper, and banana brine.

2. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

3. halfway through the cooking process, remove the chicken, shred it and add it back to the slow cooker. And let the chicken cook in the juices.

4. Build your sandwich.

Stovetop directions.

1. In a pot ( preferably a dutch oven) over medium heat, saute garlic and onion in olive oil.

2. Add chicken, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and banana brine.  Turn down the heat and place the lid on your pot.

3. let the chicken poach in the liquid for 30-40 minutes.  Shread chicken about 1/2 way through the cooking process.

4. Build your sandwich.

5 from 4 votes

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Chicago Style Italian Chicken Sandwiches

If you like Chicago-style shredded beef sandwiches, you should try these Italian Shredded Chicken sandwiches.  This chicken is cooked with tons of flavor and made into the perfect sandwich with provolone cheese and banana peppers on crispy Italian bread.  

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 packet Italian Dressing Seasoning
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 red onion chopped
• 2 tablespoons brine from a jar of banana peppers
• salt and pepper

Build your Sandwich

• Italian bread
• Provolone Cheese
• Banana Peppers
• Parmean Cheese
• Tomatoes
• Sauteed Peppers and Onions
• Giardiniera 

Instructions

Instant Pot Directions

1. Turn on saute function.   Add olive oil, garlic, onions and saute until the onions are translucent.  Press cancel to stop the pot from sauting further

2. Add Chicken, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, banana pepper brine, salt, and pepper.

3. Lock and secure the Instant Pot lid.  Rotate the pressure release valve to " sealing" and cook on manual with a cooking time of 15 minutes.  - I like to cook the shredded chicken longer than the recommended cooking time, so it will literally shred with the touch of a fork.  

4.  Quick release the pressure.   Shred the chicken and add the chicken back into the juices to marinate in the flavors.

5. Build your Sandwich

Slow Cooker Instructions

1. In your slow cooker, dump all the ingredients.  Chicken, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and banana pepper brine.

2. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

3. Halfway through the cooking process, remove the chicken, shred it, and add it back to the slow cooker.   and let the chicken cook in the juices.

4. Build your sandwich

Stovetop Directions

1. In a pot ( preferably a dutch oven) over medium heat, saute garlic and onion in olive oil.  

2. Add chicken, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and banana pepper brine.  Turn down the heat and place the lid on your pot.  

3. Let the chicken poach in the liquid for 30-40 minutes.  Shread chicken about 1/2 way through the cooking process.  

4. Build your sandwich.

Chicken is an excellent source of protein, potassium, and calcium. It’s low in cholesterol, carbohydrates, and sodium.  This meal is an excellent alternative to Italian beef sandwiches if you want to cut down on red meat.

How do I make this meal gluten-free?

You can easily use this Italian chicken for salads, lettuce wraps, and grain bowls.  If you have gluten-free bread, you can also use that when building your sandwich.

If you like these shredded chicken sandwiches, you should try my

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18 Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipes