AB’s Chopped Cheese Recipe

This Chicken Sausage Chopped Cheese Sandwich puts a flavorful spin on the New York bodega favorite. Mild Italian chicken sausage is browned with peppers, onions, garlic, and seasoning, then chopped together with melted cheese and loaded onto a golden toasted hoagie roll. It is a satisfying lunch or weeknight dinner with plenty of savory flavor and texture in every bite.

What makes this chicken chopped cheese work is the cooking order. Pressing the sausage into the hot skillet first builds a browned crust before the meat is broken apart. The vegetables cook in those flavorful drippings, and the cheese is chopped and folded directly into the filling so it melts throughout instead of sitting only on top. Serve it with Smokin’ and Grillin’ Potato Wedges or Southern Coleslaw to complete the meal.

Key Ingredients

• Mild Italian chicken sausage: This replaces the traditional ground beef while bringing built-in seasoning and plenty of savory flavor. Remove the casings before cooking, or buy it pre-ground.
• Bell pepper and onion: These add sweetness, texture, and flavor to the sausage filling. A mixture of red and green bell pepper adds extra color.
• Garlic: Add it near the end of cooking so it becomes fragrant without burning.
• AB’s A-Rub: This seasoning is made for poultry and vegetables, so it fits both the chicken sausage and peppers in this recipe. Start with the listed amount and adjust after tasting because sausage is already seasoned.
• Provolone or mozzarella: Both melt smoothly into the sausage. Provolone provides a slightly sharper flavor, while mozzarella gives the filling a mild, stretchy finish.
• Hoagie rolls: A sturdy roll holds the juicy filling without falling apart. Toasting the cut sides with mayonnaise adds a crisp, golden surface.
• Lettuce and tomato: These cool, fresh toppings balance the rich sausage and melted cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Browning the chicken sausage before breaking it apart creates more flavor than crumbling it immediately.
• The cheese is chopped directly into the filling, giving you melted cheese in every bite.
• Peppers, onions, and garlic give the sandwich more texture and flavor without making the method complicated.
• The filling cooks in one skillet or on a griddle in about 20 minutes.
• Everyone can finish their sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pickles, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, or another favorite topping.

How to Make a Chicken Sausage Chopped Cheese Sandwich

Brown the Chicken Sausage

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil only if the chicken sausage is very lean or the cooking surface is dry. Press the sausage into an even layer and leave it undisturbed for several minutes so the bottom develops a browned crust.

Add the Vegetables

Break the sausage into small pieces with a meat masher or sturdy spatula. Add the diced bell pepper and onion, then cook until the vegetables soften and the sausage is browned. Stir in the garlic during the final minute so it does not burn.

Season and Add the Cheese

Season the mixture with AB’s A-Rub and black pepper. Taste before adding salt because Italian chicken sausage and cheese can already be salty. Divide the filling into four portions and place two slices of cheese over each portion. Cover briefly, then use the spatula to chop and fold the melted cheese into the sausage and vegetables.

Toast the Rolls

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the cut sides of the hoagie rolls. Place them cut-side down in a separate skillet or on an open section of the griddle. Toast until golden and lightly crisp.

Assemble the Sandwiches

Fill each toasted roll with the cheesy chicken sausage mixture. Add shredded lettuce and sliced tomato, along with any optional condiments. Serve immediately while the filling is hot and the bread is crisp.

Variations and Substitutions

• Classic beef chopped cheese: Replace the chicken sausage with 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef. Omit the bell pepper if you want a more traditional version, season the beef with Sazón and Worcestershire sauce, and use American cheese.
• Ground chicken or turkey: Use an equal amount of ground chicken or turkey. Add a little oil to the skillet because these meats are usually leaner than sausage, and season them more generously.
• Different cheese: Substitute American, pepper jack, cheddar, or Monterey Jack. Use a cheese that melts easily into the filling.
• Spicy version: Use hot Italian chicken sausage or add jalapeños, crushed red pepper, pepper jack cheese, or hot sauce.
• Different bread: Use hero rolls, sub rolls, or a sturdy French roll. Avoid bread that is too soft to hold the filling.
• Extra toppings: Add pickles, banana peppers, sautéed mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, or garlic aioli.

Equipment

• Large cast-iron skillet or flat-top griddle
• Meat masher or sturdy spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Lid or piece of foil for melting the cheese
• Second skillet for toasting the rolls, optional
• Instant-read thermometer

What to Serve With Chicken Chopped Cheese

Serve these sandwiches with Smokin’ and Grillin’ Potato Wedges for a hearty sandwich-and-potatoes meal.

For something cool and crunchy, add Southern Coleslaw on the side or spoon a little directly onto the sandwich.

For a cookout or game-day spread, pair the sandwiches with Smoked BBQ Baked Beans, pickle spears, fries, tater tots, or a simple garden salad.

Pro Tips

• Let the sausage brown before breaking it apart. Pressing it into the hot pan and leaving it alone for a few minutes builds a flavorful crust.
• Do not overcrowd a small skillet. Two pounds of sausage needs a large cooking surface. Work in two batches if necessary so the meat browns instead of steaming.
• Add garlic last. Garlic can burn quickly over medium-high heat, so stir it in after the peppers and onions have softened.
• Check the temperature. Chicken sausage should reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
• Taste before adding salt. The sausage, seasoning, and cheese all contribute salt.
• Chop the cheese into the filling. Melting and folding the cheese through the meat creates the texture that makes this a chopped cheese.
• Toast the rolls with mayonnaise. A thin layer produces an even golden crust and helps protect the bread from the juicy filling.
• Assemble just before serving. Adding the hot filling too early can soften the toasted bread and wilt the lettuce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Chopped Cheese?

A chopped cheese is a hot sandwich associated with New York City bodegas. The traditional version combines chopped ground beef, onions, and melted cheese on a hero roll, usually with lettuce, tomato, and condiments. This version uses Italian chicken sausage, peppers, and AB’s A-Rub.

Can I Make Chopped Cheese With Chicken?

Yes. Ground chicken or chicken sausage both work. Chicken sausage brings more built-in flavor and stays juicy, while plain ground chicken may need additional oil and seasoning.

What Is the Best Cheese for Chicken Chopped Cheese?

Provolone and low-moisture mozzarella melt smoothly and pair well with Italian chicken sausage. American cheese gives the sandwich a creamier, more traditional chopped-cheese texture, while pepper jack adds heat.

How Do I Know When Chicken Sausage Is Done?

The sausage should be fully browned with no raw pink remaining and should reach 165°F in the thickest pieces. Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm.

Can I Make the Filling Ahead?

Yes. Cook the sausage-and-vegetable filling up to one day ahead, but wait to add the cheese until reheating. Toast the rolls and add the lettuce and tomato immediately before serving.

Can I Cook This on a Blackstone or Flat-Top Griddle?

Yes. A flat-top griddle gives the sausage plenty of room to brown and lets you toast the rolls beside the filling. Use medium-high heat for the meat, then lower the heat slightly when melting the cheese.

Can I Use Sausage Links?

Yes. Slice the casing lengthwise and remove it before cooking. The loose sausage can then be pressed, browned, and chopped like ground meat.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover chicken sausage filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the rolls, lettuce, and tomato separate so they stay fresh.

Reheat the filling in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of water. Cover for a minute or two until hot, then add fresh cheese if needed. Toast a fresh roll before assembling.

For longer storage, freeze the cooked filling without the cheese or fresh toppings for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, reheat it thoroughly, and add the cheese while it is hot. Freezing assembled sandwiches is not recommended because the bread and vegetables can become soggy.

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Save this Chicken Sausage Chopped Cheese Sandwich for the next time you want an easy, cheesy meal with plenty of skillet flavor.

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Chicken Sausage Chopped Cheese Sandwich

5 from 3 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

A flavorful twist on the classic NYC chopped cheese, made with chicken sausage and loaded with melty cheese, grilled onions, and crisp lettuce—perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 lb chicken sausage casing removed
• ▢ 1 small onion diced
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 4 slices American cheese
• ▢ 4 hoagie rolls or hero sandwich rolls split
• ▢ 1 cup shredded lettuce
• ▢ 1 tomato sliced
• ▢ 1/4 cup mayo
• ▢ 2 tbsp ketchup optional
• ▢ 1 tbsp yellow mustard optional

Instructions 

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7–8 minutes.
• Shape the sausage mixture into 4 mounds in the pan. Place a slice of cheese over each and cover the pan to let it melt, about 1–2 minutes.
• Toast the rolls lightly if desired. Spread mayo on each side and add ketchup or mustard if using.
• Spoon the cheesy sausage mixture onto each roll. Top with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. Press gently to close.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

• Use a large skillet or cook the filling in two batches so the chicken sausage browns instead of steaming.
• Italian chicken sausage is already seasoned, so taste the filling before adding extra salt or more A-Rub.
• Refrigerate leftover filling separately from the bread and fresh toppings for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1770mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1246IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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