Quick & Zesty BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe

BBQ chicken grilled cheese promises a mouthwatering fusion of classic comfort and bold flavor sensations.

Crispy, golden-brown bread cradles a molten center packed with succulent shredded meat and melting cheese.

Tangy barbecue sauce infuses each bite with smoky complexity that elevates this humble sandwich beyond ordinary expectations.

Soft, tender chicken mingles seamlessly with gooey dairy goodness, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes.

Simple ingredients change into a culinary experience that satisfies deep cravings and warms hungry souls.

Versatile enough for lunch, dinner, or game-day snacking, this sandwich delivers pure deliciousness without complicated preparation.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Crispy and Melty

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic, shredded chicken, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce. Stir and cook until the mixture is heated through and well combined.

Step 2: Create Garlic Butter

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Chopped fresh parsley

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich

• Cheese slice
• BBQ chicken mixture
• Another cheese slice

Step 4: Close the Sandwich

Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side facing out.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese melts completely.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from heat, slice diagonally, and serve hot. Watch the cheese stretch and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors!

Why BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Is Next-Level Comfort Food

• Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: This BBQ chicken grilled cheese combines tangy BBQ sauce, tender shredded chicken, and melty cheese, creating an explosion of mouthwatering flavors that elevate the classic grilled cheese experience.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: With simple ingredients and easy steps, anyone can craft this restaurant-quality sandwich in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous lunch cravings.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Swap different cheeses, experiment with BBQ sauce varieties, or add extra toppings like crispy bacon or jalapeños to personalize this versatile sandwich that never gets boring.
• Indulge in Textural Harmony: Crispy golden-brown bread, creamy melted cheese, and juicy BBQ chicken create a delightful contrast of textures that makes each bite incredibly satisfying and irresistible.

Everything That Goes into a BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

• Chicken: Shredded meat as the main protein, preferably tender and easily pulled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken.
• BBQ Sauce: Classic smoky-sweet sauce that adds rich flavor and moisture to the chicken.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides depth and umami flavor to enhance the chicken mixture.

• Cheese: Melty cheese like cheddar or monterey jack that creates a gooey sandwich texture.

• Bread Slices: Sturdy white or sourdough bread that can hold the filling and create a crispy exterior.
• Butter: Helps create a golden, crispy sandwich exterior with rich flavor.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic flavor to the butter for extra depth.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides a light, fresh note to the garlic butter.

• Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth and color to the chicken mixture.
• Oil: Used for initial sautéing of onions and preventing sticking.
• Onions: Provides sweet and savory base flavor to the chicken mixture.
• Garlic: Enhances overall depth of flavor in both chicken mixture and butter.

Tips for Juicy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Every Time

• Shred Chicken Perfectly: Use two forks to pull cooked chicken apart for even, tender meat that distributes nicely in the sandwich.
• Balance BBQ Flavor: Choose a balanced BBQ sauce that's not too sweet or tangy to complement the cheese without overpowering.
• Achieve Golden Crispiness: Press sandwiches gently with a spatula while grilling to ensure even browning and crispy exterior.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Let cheese sit at room temperature before assembling to help it melt more smoothly and evenly inside the sandwich.
• Quick Assembly Hack: Prepare all ingredients beforehand to streamline the grilling process and ensure a hot, fresh sandwich every time.

The Right Way to Store and Reheat BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

• Refrigeration: Store leftover BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent them from sticking together.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place sandwiches on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Warm for 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread crisps up. This method helps restore the original crunch and keeps the filling warm throughout.
• Skillet Refresh: Revive your leftover grilled cheese in a skillet over medium-low heat. Melt a small pat of butter in the pan and cook the sandwich for 2-3 minutes on each side.

What Goes Well with BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

• Sip Sweet Southern Sidekick: Pair this hearty BBQ chicken grilled cheese with a cold glass of sweet tea, balancing the rich, tangy flavors with a refreshing southern classic.
• Crunch Fresh Salad Companion: Complement the sandwich's indulgent profile with a crisp coleslaw or light mixed green salad, adding brightness and cutting through the cheesy richness.
• Boost Beer Flavor Harmony: Choose a hoppy amber ale or light lager that matches the BBQ sauce's smoky notes, creating a perfect flavor dance between the sandwich and drink.
• Cool Ranch Dipping Delight: Serve with a quick ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side, providing a creamy, zesty dipping option that enhances the sandwich's complex taste layers.

Fun Twists on Classic BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

• Spicy Southwest Style: Replace BBQ sauce with salsa, add diced green chilies, and sprinkle pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap chicken with grilled lamb, incorporate tzatziki sauce, crumbled feta, and fresh oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired sandwich.
• Ranch Chicken Crunch: Mix ranch dressing into the chicken, add crispy bacon bits, and use sharp cheddar cheese for extra flavor and texture.
• Hawaiian Tropical: Include diced pineapple chunks in the chicken mixture, use smoky ham, and add Swiss cheese for a sweet and savory combination.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling BBQ chicken meets melted cheese in this ultimate comfort sandwich. Crispy bread embraces smoky, tender chicken and gooey cheddar, promising a flavor explosion that will satisfy your deepest hunger cravings.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 2.5 cups shredded roast chicken
• 12 slices Havarti cheese

Bread and Base:

• 12 slices sourdough bread or sturdy white bread
• 0.25 cups (4 tablespoons) butter

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. In a skillet, sauté diced onions in oil until translucent and softened, releasing their sweet aromatic essence.
2. Add minced garlic, shredded chicken, ground paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and tangy BBQ sauce to the skillet, stirring until the mixture is thoroughly heated and flavors are well combined.
3. Create a fragrant garlic butter by whisking melted unsalted butter (or 113 grams) with finely chopped fresh parsley and crushed garlic cloves.
4. Generously brush the exterior sides of each bread slice with the prepared garlic butter, ensuring complete coverage for a golden, crispy finish.
5. Layer the bottom slice of bread with shredded cheddar cheese, creating a delectable base for the BBQ chicken mixture.
6. Carefully spoon the warm BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer, distributing the filling uniformly.
7. Sprinkle an additional layer of cheese on top of the chicken to enhance the melting potential.
8. Crown the sandwich with the second buttered bread slice, butter side facing outward.
9. Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium temperature, allowing the surface to warm evenly.
10. Grill the assembled sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure even browning and cheese melting.
11. Remove from heat when the bread turns a rich golden brown and the cheese becomes luxuriously melted.
12. Allow the sandwich to rest for one minute, then slice diagonally and serve immediately while hot and crisp.

Notes

• Summer backyard cookouts inspired this mouthwatering mashup of BBQ flavors and classic grilled cheese.
• Tender shredded chicken caramelized with smoky BBQ sauce creates an irresistible filling that elevates the traditional sandwich.
• Garlic butter brushed on bread ensures a crispy, golden-brown exterior with a rich, aromatic crunch.
• Layering cheese before and after the chicken helps create a melty, gooey center that stretches with every bite.
• Perfect for using leftover rotisserie chicken or grilling up a quick weeknight dinner that feels like a special treat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 580 kcal
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 75mg