I’m tired of waiting for Wendy’s to bring this back. So this week for dinner, I’m making it my damn self. It’s been so long, though, I’m afraid I can’t remember all the details.
I know I need:
Breaded chicken filet
Better-than-store-brand sandwich buns
Bacon
Monterey Jack Cheese
Ranch Dressing? Or was it something else?
This shouldn’t take long, so feel free to hijack with other fast-food recipes, or rants about your favorite offerings you can’t get anymore.
ISTM that what’s ‘superior’ about fast-food sandwich buns is not inherently better bread, but rather that it’s always grilled or toasted! If you have a griddle that doubles as a grill, brush the “flat” sides of your bun with some butter, flop 'em on the grill for a minute or two, and voila! “Better” sandwich buns! If not, just butter the flat sides and slap 'em in a hot skillet for a minute.
Also, cook the chicken fillet in a skillet or pan so you can slap the cheese on a moment or two prior to the chicken being ready; this way, the cheese can get melty. Slap the bacon on top of the melty cheese, so it kind of mingles in. Top the whole thing with a little lettuce (finely shredded, to reproduce that “fast food” feeling), thin-slice tomatoes, dill slices and ranch dressing.
Hell, even if the sandwich tastes almost nothing like the Wendy’s thing, it doesn’t seem like it could possibly be bad. I mean, here’s what we have:
deep-fried meat (crispy chicken patty)
high-fat protein (cheese slices)
high-fat protein (bacon)
practically nutritionally void veggies (iceburg lettuce, tomato slices, pickle slices)
Tasty, tasty, nutritionally void, high-fat condiment (ranch dressing)
All piled on nutritionally void white bread, made yet less healthy by addition of buttering and frying.
OK, so it’s not health food. Should still be pretty damned tasty! 
Wendy’s sandwich is ok- but many restaurants do it with ciabatta rolls and a panni press.
Coat each side of a split ciabatta roll with ranch dressing; place a split grilled chicken breast on one side, sliced tomato, Monterey Jack slices, and cooked bacon strips. If you don’t have a panni press, place in a oiled pan with another on top to press down; cook for five, turn over and cook again.
Fine eating!
I just want to add my voice - I so miss Wendy’s Monteray Ranch Chicken Sandwich. I seriously think it was the best sandwich they came out with, ever.
Ooh, I kinda like the panini idea.
Does anyone remember if the sauce was just ranch dressing, or some sort of bacon-y ranch? Any suggestions for a good bottled ranch?
If they EVER bring it back, I’m going to eat one every day, I swear.
Just ranch dressing, Hidden Valley will do. I believe Wendy’s had lettuce too, but many panni sanwiches ignore it.