Italian Sub Quesadillas using an Outdoor Griddle

I’m not going to lie to you. I had a hankerin’ for an Italian sub for dinner. You know the kind. Warm French bread, tons of Italian-style cold cuts. Cheese. A little Italian salad dressing. Well, the bread gods weren’t smiling down on me. I had to come up with a Plan B and quickly. Well, turns out, Plan B was better than Plan A because these Italian sub quesadillas using an outdoor griddle were fantastic! Same great taste, served on a warm, slightly crispy tortilla! Heck, I might give up the bread version now!

Italian Sub Quesadillas using an Outdoor Griddle

Easier On A Griddle

You could make these Italian sub quesadillas indoors, in a saucepan. Me, I prefer to cook on my outdoor griddle whenever possible. It’s huge, giving me lots of room to move things around. And plenty of room to toast up some large tortillas. It’s perfect for making these ‘sandwiches’ and pretty much anything else.

I grabbed the Italian sandwich meats from our Aldi store. They have great cold-cuts. My favorite is the Italian trio, which comes with salami, pepperoni and provolone. Yeah, I know the recipe states to use mozzarella. And I did. But I also slid a few pieces of provolone in for good measure, too. Use whatever you want. I’m a big fan of these with smoked ham, too. It doesn’t really have to be really Italian, you know?

Weber® Griddle Essential Tool Set, 5‑Piece
  • Here’s your 5-piece set for griddle success…
  • Get creative with the right tools to make your own…

Also try my baked Italian grinder sandwich.

Italian Sub Quesadillas using an Outdoor Griddle
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Italian Sub Quesadillas using an Outdoor Griddle

A great substitute for the bread version.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword griddle, quesadilla
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 710kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your griddle on medium-low heat.
  • Add a splash or two of oil and let it get hot.
  • Add the diced meats. Cook for 2 minutes, mixing the meats around to get a little char on them and release some of the juices.
  • Add the garlic and Italian dressing and seasoning. Stir and cook another 4-5 minutes until the garlic is cooked and the dressing is mostly cooked off.
  • Slide the meats off to the side of your griddle and keep warm. If you don't have room, you can remove them to a plate.
  • Add a splash or two more of the oil to the griddle.
  • Add the tortillas. Sprinkle half of the cheese and peppers on one half of each tortilla.
  • Top the cheese with the deli meat, putting half on each tortilla.
  • Fold over the non-topped, empty side of the tortilla to form a half-moon quesadilla.
  • Cook for 3 minutes then flip carefully (a long spatula helps) and cook another 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is cooked until nice and golden brown.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

Serve with ranch dressing or warmed marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
For a spicier version, use pepper jack cheese and pickled jalapenos for the mozzarella and peppers.

Nutrition

Calories: 710kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 4038mg | Potassium: 696mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 821IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 652mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Weber® Griddle Essential Tool Set, 5‑Piece
  • Here’s your 5-piece set for griddle success…
  • Get creative with the right tools to make your own…

Grilled Chicken Gyros using an Outdoor Griddle

These grilled chicken gyros are exactly why I love my outdoor griddle. Fantastic, tender, flavor-packed chicken. Warm, toasted pitas. A quick-and-easy Greek-inspired salad. And of course, tzatziki sauce. This was one great dish and one we’ll make again and again.

Grilled Chicken Gyros using an Outdoor Griddle

Happy And Happier

The chicken for these grilled chicken gyros using an outdoor griddle needs a bit of time to marinate. Go for 2 hours minimum. Twelve is even better. At most, go 24 hours. I used boneless skinless chicken thighs because they have the most flavor thanks to all that fat. If you’re leaning towards the healthier side you can certainly use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead. If they are particularly thick you may want to slice or butterfly them before marinating so they absorb maximum flavor.

The recipe for the tzatziki makes a lot. A big batch. So when it comes time to make your gyros, load up. Or serve some on the side for dipping pita chips!

Weber 3 Piece Stainless Steel Premium Tool Set…
  • Includes spatula, fork, and locking tongs
  • Soft-touch handles offer comfortable, non-slip…

I use this countertop shredder/grater to grate the cucumber. It does a fantastic job and boy, is it ever easy to clean. I won’t miss my old box grater after using this fun tool!

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…

Also try my ground beef nachos, also made on the outdoor griddle!

Grilled Chicken Gyros
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Chicken Gyros using an Outdoor Griddle

Tremendous flavor in every bite!
Course Main
Cuisine Greek
Keyword griddle, gyro
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 611kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken

For the tzatziki

For the salad

  • 3 tomatoes seeds removed, diced
  • 3 cucumbers peeled, seeds removed, diced
  • ½ red onion chopped fine
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves chopped
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 pinch fresh ground black pepper

For the gyros

  • 6 pita breads warmed

Instructions

For the chicken

  • Place the chicken into a large resealable bag or container.
  • Whisk together the remaining chicken ingredients and add to the chicken.
  • Toss to coat and seal. Refrigerate for 2-12 hours, turning occasionally.

For the tzatziki

  • Grate the cucumber using a box grater or hand grater.
  • Place the grated cucumber into a paper towel or cheese cloth and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible.
  • Transfer the cucumber to a bowl and add the remaining tzatziki ingredients. Stir and let rest for 20 minutes.

For the salad

  • Combine all of the salad ingredients in a bowl.

For serving

  • Preheat your outdoor griddle on medium high.
  • Drizzle a little oil onto the griddle.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Place onto the griddle.
  • Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until done. Thicker pieces may take longer.
  • Remove to a plate and cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the grill / fry pan onto a plate. Cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Chop or slice the chicken as desired.
  • If your chicken thighs are large, you may need to cut them. Mine were small.
  • Lay the pita breads on parchment paper squares that are slightly larger than the pitas.
  • Add some salad to each of the pita breads. Add the chicken and tzatziki (there'll be plenty, so load up)!.
  • Gently roll the pitas up, enclosing them in the parchment paper.

Nutrition

Calories: 611kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 936mg | Potassium: 997mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1046IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 187mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Weber® 3-Piece BBQ Tool Set, Stainless Steel
  • Set of 3 includes Spatula, Locking Tongs, and Cold…
  • Durable, stainless-steel construction holds up to…
Sale
Weber® Grill Grate Scrubber, Grill Cleaning…
  • Designed for heavy-duty grill cleaning
  • Contoured handle offers a firm, comfortable grip
Weber® Outdoor Grill Spray Cleaner & Degreaser…
  • This 16 oz spray bottle of Weber Grill Grate…
  • Gentle on Your Grates: Grill cleaner spray is…

Nashville Hot Chicken Cheesesteaks using an Outdoor Griddle

I need to start a new food category here on Life’s A Tomato. It’ll be called ‘so crazy good that I ate this 3 days in a row’. The first dish I’ll add to this new category will be this Nashville Hot Chicken cheesesteaks made using an outdoor griddle. This was good. Crazy good. A little spicy. Tender, juicy chicken that is packed with flavor. A little ooey-gooey cheese action. Crispy vegetables. And of course, a few pickles. This is one great sandwich!

Nashville Hot Chicken Cheesesteaks using an Outdoor Griddle

Easy Griddle Action

I haven’t had my large outdoor griddle for that long. I’ve used smaller griddles for burgers and the like for years. But the big one has made dishes like these Nashville Hot Chicken cheesesteaks a delight. There’s lots of room to cook up the onions and peppers then move them off to the side while my attention turns to the chicken. Room to toast the rolls, too.

Nashville Hot Chicken Cheesesteaks using an Outdoor Griddle

Spicy Like I Love It

These sandwiches have a nice kick to them. The seasoning and cheese bring it, but without being crazy spicy. I went a little heavy on both because I love a good spicy sandwich. If you’re into even more heat, add some jalapeno slices, either to the vegetables as they cook or the sandwich before serving. Or both!

McCormick Grill Mates Nashville Hot Chicken…
  • Sizzlin’ hot grilling seasoning blend of…
  • Inspired by the spicy-sweet flavor of…

These cheesesteaks are tasty and easy. Looking for something even easier, though? Try my garlic naan pizzas using an outdoor griddle.

Nashville Hot Chicken Cheesesteaks using an Outdoor Griddle
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Nashville Hot Chicken Cheesesteaks using an Outdoor Griddle

So good that you'll never miss the real things!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword cheesesteak, chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 527kcal

Ingredients

For the sauce

For the meat filling

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 6 slices pepper Jack cheese

For the sandwiches

Instructions

For the sauce

  • In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of the hot chicken seasoning.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the meat filling

  • Place the chicken pieces into a large bowl.
  • Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with the remaining hot chicken seasoning. Mix until all of the chicken is coated evenly.
  • Cover and set aside until ready to serve. Toss chicken with oil and remaining 2 tablespoons
  • Preheat your outdoor griddle on high.
  • Add a splash or two of oil. Add the peppers and onions and cook, stirring often, until they are just starting to soften. Do not over cook them. You want a little bit of a crunch.
  • Move the pepper and onion mix to a cooler part of the grill to keep warm.
  • Add another splash or two of oil to the griddle and add the chicken.
  • Cook the chicken, stirring often, 5-7 minutes or until done.
  • Add the pepper and onion mixture and stir.
  • Spread the filling out evenly onto the griddle and top with the cheese slices.
  • As soon as the cheese starts to melt, assemble the sandwiches (below).

For the sandwiches

  • Slather the cut sides of the rolls with the sauce.
  • Use a long spatula to scoop up the chicken mixture and divide between the rolls.
  • Add a few pickle slices to each sandwich and serve.

Notes

For even spicier sandwiches, substitute pickled (or fresh) jalapeno slices for the pickles!

Nutrition

Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 277IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 12mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Weber® Griddle Essential Tool Set, 5‑Piece
  • Here’s your 5-piece set for griddle success…
  • Get creative with the right tools to make your own…