This is a real thing. Trader Joe’s (I might as well be their spokesperson) is currently selling an apple pie cheddar cheese…I’m not kidding. And it’s goooooooooood. Like sooooooo good! Go get you a block of it for $5.

So I decided to buy a block of this stuff and the plan was to let it sit in the fridge until I could think of something fun to do with it. So last night, that happened! And the best part, all the other ingredients were already in my pantry/fridge. No random, extra trips to Harris Teeter. Woop!

4 hamburger buns (I used whole wheat), toasted if desired
4 boneless, skinless marinaded chicken breasts
Trader Joe’s apple pie cheddar cheese
1/2 of a yellow onion, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled pancetta
a couple handfuls of fresh spinach
Honey
3 tablespoons EVOO

Marinade for chicken (side note, this is my go-to marinade and it’s very versatile!):
1 cup EVOO
a good, healthy squeeze of honey (add more/less depending on how sweet you want it)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt & pepper

1. Prepare marinade! Mix all the ingredients to combine and add chicken. Let the chicken hang out in the marinade for at least 30 minutes.
2. Grill chicken until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add (as much!) apple pie cheddar cheese as you like and let it melt on top of the chicken
2. Heat EVOO in a skillet over medium high heat, add sliced onions & cook until caramelized (about 10 minutes or so), add pancetta and cook until light brown
3. Assemble sandwiches with cooked chicken (covered in cheese), grilled onions & crumbled pancetta, spinach and drizzle with honey

Remember! Not all of these ingredients are necessarily “on hand” for everyone. It’s just what I had and decided to throw together. Don’t have pancetta? Use crumbled bacon. Don’t feel like buying Trader Joe’s apple pie cheddar cheese? Use cheddar, white cheddar or Gouda. No spinach? Use whatever lettuce you have or whatever’s on sale! Make it your own – turn your crumbs into creations ;)