Leftover Pizza Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Cold pizza slices folded with shredded chicken and cheese, toasted to crispy, melty perfection in minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Main

01 - 2 large slices leftover pizza, any style with sturdy crust
02 - 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, rotisserie or leftover
03 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, optional for extra meltiness

→ For Toasting

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How to Make:

01 - Place a cold pizza slice on a cutting board, cheese side facing up.
02 - Evenly spread ½ cup shredded chicken over the cheese side of each pizza slice and sprinkle additional shredded cheese if desired.
03 - Fold each pizza slice in half, pressing gently to enclose the filling completely.
04 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and spread 1 tablespoon butter on the outside of each folded pizza.
05 - Place folded pizzas buttered side down on the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
06 - Flip pizzas carefully with a spatula, press gently, and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is golden.
07 - Remove from skillet, allow to cool for 1 minute, slice in half, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It turns boring leftovers into something crunchy, melty, and genuinely exciting in under 15 minutes.
  • The crispy crust contrasts perfectly with warm chicken and melted cheese, making every bite feel like a small victory.
  • You can make it with whatever pizza you have on hand, so there's no such thing as a wrong ingredient pairing.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend—too high and the outside burns before the cheese melts inside.
  • The moment you see the edges getting dark golden, that's your signal to flip; waiting even two minutes longer risks a burnt crust.
03 -
  • Softened butter spreads way more evenly than cold butter straight from the fridge, and that even coating is what gets you consistent golden browning.
  • If your pizza is really thick or topped heavily, slide the skillet into a 350°F oven for 2–3 minutes after the second side is golden to ensure the cheese melts all the way through.
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