This Chili Lime Chicken Bagel Melt turns a bakery bagel into a quick, saucy sandwich. Chicken tossed in chili lime seasoning and marinara tops each bagel half and is finished off with a quick broil until the mozzarella is golden. A simple chicken bagel recipe for busy weeknights, jalapeno heat optional.
Quick Overview:
- Learn the broiler trick for golden, bubbly cheese
- An easy bagel swap that makes this recipe keto.
- Ready in about 20 minutes. 2 servings.
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Ingredients for Chili Lme Chicken Bagel Melt
This chicken bagel melt is a simple recipe made with easy to obtain ingredients. Be sure to buy fresh bagels from the bakery deparmtnet as they are bigger and have way better flavor than the bagels sold in the freezer section.
This is an overview of the key ingredients. See the recipe card below for full amounts and instructions.
- Asiago Bagel: I buy these from the grocery store bakery department.
- Cooke chicken breast: buy it precooked, or use leftover pulled rotisserie chicken.
- Chili Lime Seasoning: I buy this blend from Trader Joes. It gives this its signature tang and heat (see the substitution below if you can't find it).
- Marinara sauce: You can buy your favorite brand.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: I like to buy the brick and shred it myself, it melts nicer than the pre-shredded one.
How to Make This Bagel Sandwich Recipe
Heat sauce
Saute onion and jalapeno in olive oil 2-3 minutes. Add chicken and sauce, heat over medium heat until warmed through.
Add meat sauce
Slice each bagel in half, place on a baking sheet, and top with chicken mixture.
Top with cheese
Generously top each bagel half with mozzarella cheese.
Broil
Place in the preheated oven and bake 10 minutes, until cheese is melted. Garnish with jalapeño slices and cilantro, if desired.Step 4 text
Substitutions
Want to make this keto? A keto bagel is really the only swap you need - everything else about this recipe is already low carb friendly.
- Keto bagel: Swap in my Keto Asiago Bagels or Keto Bagels (Rye-Style or Plain Option)
- Chili Lime Seasoning: can't find this blend near you? My Homemade Taco seasoning makes a great stand in. It brings a similar warmth.
- Marinara sauce: Use my recipe for homemade pizza sauce or Homemade Pasta Sauce instead of store bought.
Top Tip
After 10 minutes bake time, turn the oven to the broil setting and watching carefully, broil for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese begins to brown.
Serve with...
Since this one's already got a bagel base, I like to keep the sides light and let the sandwich be the star. My Homemade Air Fryer Bagel Chips are an easy pairing if you want to lean into the bagel theme. For something with a little more freshness, Ginger Lime Berries pick up right where the lime in this recipe leaves off. Or, go with a scoop of 4 Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing if you want something heartier alongside. And if you make the taco seasoning swap above, my Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are a natural match.
Your Questions Answered
Asiago is my favorite for the flavor, but honestly any bagel you like works - everything, plain, whatever's in your bakery case.
Yes, use light or part-skim mozzarella and go easy on the cheese if you want to trim it down. The flavor still holds up fine.
This is a small yield recipe, meaning it's meant to be made and eaten right after making. If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in your oven however, it will likely dry out a little from sitting in the fridge and the extra heat.
Taco seasoning is my go-to swap. See the substitution above.
More Sandwich Recipes
Looking for more ways to turn a bagel - or bread of any kind - into dinner? Here are a few more sandwich recipes worth trying.
If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below to let me know how you liked it. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your beautiful salad bowls!
📖 Recipe
Chili Lime Chicken Bagel Melt
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Ingredients
- 1 large bakery bagel , sliced in half
- 3 ounces cooked chicken , sliced thin
- ⅓ cup sliced onion
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup marinaria sauce
- ½ teaspoon Chili Lime Seasoning
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 slices jalapeno rings , optional
- ½ tablespoon fresh cilantro , chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeno slices and cook until onions start to become translucent.
- Add chicken breast slices and toss to combine. Season with chili lime seasoning. Stir in pasta sauce and remove from heat.
- To assemble the sandwich, divide chicken mixture between bagel halves. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in oven about 10 minutes, until cheese begins to melt.
- Turn oven broiler on low and broil until cheese begins to brown.
- Remove bagel halves from oven and top with chopped cilantro and jalapeno slices if desired.
