The Ultimate Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe for Summer Fun

BBQ chicken sandwiches deliver a mouthwatering symphony of smoky, tangy goodness that converts ordinary meals into memorable experiences.

Succulent meat gets slathered with rich, complex sauces that dance across your palate with bold intensity.

Soft, pillowy buns cradle tender shredded or grilled chicken, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

These hearty sandwiches transcend simple meals, becoming culinary canvases for creative combinations and personal touch.

Comfort meets excitement in every bite, promising a delightful departure from standard lunch fare.

Layered with complementary ingredients like crisp vegetables or creamy slaws, they elevate casual dining to an art form.

Hungry diners will want to dive into these irresistible flavor-packed creations.

Why Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Steal the Show

• Grill and Savor Bold Flavors: The BBQ sauce caramelizes beautifully on the chicken, creating a mouthwatering smoky-sweet coating that delivers incredible depth of flavor in every single bite.
• Quick and Effortless Meal Prep: This recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous weekend gatherings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize with Spicy Kick: Optional charred serrano peppers allow heat lovers to amp up the sandwich's intensity, while keeping it mild for those who prefer gentler tastes, ensuring everyone enjoys their personalized version.
• Nutritionally Balanced Sandwich: Packed with lean protein, balanced macronutrients, and a crisp homemade coleslaw, this dish offers a satisfying meal that feels indulgent yet provides solid nutritional value for health-conscious eaters.

Everything That Packs the Punch in This Sandwich

• Chicken Breasts: Lean meat as the main protein, choose fresh and evenly sized for consistent cooking.

• Mayonnaise, Pickle Juice, Sugar: Creates a tangy and sweet base for the coleslaw, balancing flavors.
• Shredded Cabbage, Carrots, Diced Pickles: Fresh vegetables for crunch and texture in the slaw.

• BBQ Sauce: Rich, sweet, and tangy sauce for grilling and adding moisture to the chicken.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent chicken from sticking to the grill and adds subtle flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the natural taste of the chicken.
• Serrano Peppers: Optional ingredient for adding heat and char to the sandwich.

• Bread: Standard sandwich bread or buns for serving the grilled chicken, not specified in original instructions.

How to Layer BBQ Flavor with Crunch and Smoke

Step 1: Prepare Tangy Coleslaw Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Pickle juice
• Sugar

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Create Crisp Coleslaw Mixture

• Shredded cabbage
• Carrots
• Diced pickles

Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 3: Flavor and Chill Coleslaw

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days to let flavors meld.

Step 4: Prepare Chicken for Grilling

Butterfly chicken breasts by slicing horizontally, keeping one edge connected for even cooking.

Step 5: Season Chicken

Drizzle chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside BBQ sauce for later glazing.

Step 6: Start Grilling Chicken

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken on the grill and brush with 1/3 to BBQ sauce.

Step 7: Cook Chicken Thoroughly

Grill for 5-6 minutes on first side. Flip, brush with additional BBQ sauce, and grill another 5-6 minutes. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 8: Optional Pepper Roasting

If desired, grill serrano peppers for 2-3 minutes per side until charred. Remove and let cool.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove chicken from grill and let rest briefly before assembling sandwiches with coleslaw and optional charred peppers.

Pro Tips for Juicy Chicken and Bold Sauce

• Master the Butterfly Technique: Slice chicken breasts carefully, maintaining one connected edge for even, tender cooking that prevents dryness.
• Sauce Layering Strategy: Apply BBQ sauce gradually during grilling to build rich flavor layers and create a perfect caramelized exterior.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy results every time.
• Pepper Char Perfection: Grill serrano peppers until slightly blackened for maximum smoky flavor and enhanced spiciness.
• Slaw Preparation Hack: Make coleslaw ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more delicious sandwich topping.

How to Keep BBQ Leftovers Tasting Fresh

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store grilled BBQ chicken sandwiches in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Separate the chicken, slaw, and buns to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
• Reheat Chicken: Warm chicken gently in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Alternatively, use a microwave with 30-second intervals, checking temperature to ensure even heating without overcooking. Add a splash of extra BBQ sauce to restore moisture and flavor.
• Freeze Option: Wrap individual sandwich components tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze chicken and slaw separately for up to one month.

What to Pair with These Saucy Sandwiches

• Pair with Tangy Coleslaw Crunch: The homemade coleslaw brings a zesty, crisp texture that perfectly complements the smoky grilled BBQ chicken, creating a balanced and refreshing sandwich experience.
• Serve with Crisp Craft Beer: A hoppy IPA or light pale ale cuts through the rich BBQ sauce and provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the grilled chicken's intense flavor profile.
• Add Spicy Pickled Side: Charred serrano peppers or quick-pickled jalapeños offer a fiery kick that enhances the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, adding depth and excitement to each bite.
• Complete with Chilled Sweet Tea: A classic Southern-style sweet tea balances the smoky, spicy elements of the sandwich, providing a smooth and cool accompaniment that cleanses the palate.

New Flavors to BBQ Your Sandwich

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Sandwich: Replace BBQ sauce with chipotle mayo and add sliced avocado, pepper jack cheese, and roasted green chiles for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Honey Mustard Chicken Delight: Swap BBQ sauce with homemade honey mustard, top with crispy bacon, and add sliced red onions for a tangy sweet combination.
• Mediterranean Chicken Creation: Use tzatziki sauce instead of BBQ, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, sliced cucumbers, and fresh dill for a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired sandwich.
• Asian Fusion Chicken Option: Brush chicken with teriyaki glaze, top with quick-pickled carrots, cucumber slices, and cilantro for an Asian-inspired grilled chicken experience.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent grilled BBQ chicken sandwiches deliver summer’s ultimate comfort between toasted brioche buns. Juicy marinated chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, and crisp slaw create an irresistible flavor combination you’ll crave at every backyard cookout.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
• 8 hamburger buns
• ½ green cabbage, thinly shredded (about 4 cups)
• 2 medium carrots, grated (about 1 cup)

Sauces and Condiments:

• 1 to 1.5 cups Hank’s Kansas City BBQ sauce or store-bought
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 cups mayonnaise
• ¼ cup dill pickle juice
• ¼ cup dill pickles, chopped
• Juice from ½ lime

Seasonings and Spices:

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 to 3 grilled serrano peppers, seeds removed
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, pickle juice, and sugar, whisking thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
2. Incorporate shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and finely chopped pickles into the dressing, ensuring every ingredient is evenly coated.
3. Sample the coleslaw, adjusting seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or pickle juice as needed. Seal and refrigerate for up to 48 hours to allow flavors to meld.
4. Heat outdoor grill or gas grill to medium-high temperature (375-400°F/190-204°C). Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally, creating a butterfly cut while maintaining one connected edge for uniform cooking.
5. Lightly drizzle chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil (), then season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reserve of barbecue sauce for final glazing.
6. Position chicken on preheated grill grates, immediately brushing top surfaces with barbecue sauce (approximately 1/3 to ).
7. Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes on initial side, developing appealing grill marks and caramelization. Carefully rotate pieces, applying additional barbecue sauce, and continue cooking 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
8. Optional: Grill serrano peppers alongside chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, creating a charred exterior. Allow peppers to cool slightly before handling.
9. Remove chicken from grill, letting meat rest for 3-4 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Slice or chop as desired for sandwich preparation.
10. Assemble sandwiches by layering grilled chicken on toasted buns, topping with prepared coleslaw and optional charred serrano peppers for added heat.

Notes

• Crunchy slaw adds zesty tang and fresh texture to balance the rich, smoky grilled chicken.
• Butterflying chicken breasts ensures even cooking and prevents dryness during grilling.
• BBQ sauce caramelizes beautifully on the chicken, creating a sweet and sticky exterior.
• Serrano peppers bring optional heat and charred complexity to the sandwich for spice lovers.
• Advance preparation of slaw allows flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator.
• Internal temperature check guarantees perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every single time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 70mg