Monte Cristo Sandwich
This chicken builds white sandwich bread, lean baked ham and cooked chicken breast into a crowd-pleasing meal you can have ready in about 60 minutes. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 6 steps.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and whisk. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (4)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy Egg Mustard
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Lightly spread one side of each bread slice with dijon mustard, then layer the ham, sliced cooked chicken, and emmental cheese over four of the slices and top with the remaining slices to form four sandwiches.
- In a wide shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined to make the batter.
- Melt about half the butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
- Dip each sandwich into the egg batter, turning to coat both sides and letting the excess drip back into the dish.
- Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, adding more butter as needed, until deep golden and the cheese has melted through, ensuring the egg coating is fully set.
- Transfer to a board, cut each sandwich in half diagonally, and dust lightly with icing sugar before serving warm.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
- Eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking) · 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
Tips & common questions
How long does Monte Cristo Sandwich take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 11 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Monte Cristo Sandwich is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Monte Cristo Sandwich-1.jpg by Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.