BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Printable Version)

Tender chicken coated in smoky barbecue sauce, piled high on toasted buns with crisp homemade slaw for the perfect satisfying bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1.1 pounds cooked and shredded or grilled and sliced

→ Barbecue Sauce

02 - 1 cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade

→ Sandwich Components

03 - 4 soft sandwich buns or brioche buns
04 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter optional for toasting buns

→ Coleslaw

05 - 1 cup shredded green cabbage about 3 ounces
06 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots about 1.5 ounces
07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
08 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

11 - Sliced pickles
12 - Red onion rings

# How to Prepare:

01 - If not already cooked, grill or poach the chicken breasts until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Shred the cooked chicken using two forks or slice into strips if preferred.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the shredded or sliced chicken with the barbecue sauce. Toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated in the sauce.
03 - In a small bowl, mix together the shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
04 - Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place the buns cut-side down in the skillet and toast until golden brown and slightly crispy, approximately 1 minute.
05 - Pile the BBQ chicken generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with the prepared coleslaw, followed by sliced pickles and red onion rings if desired. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sweet and smoky sauce clings to every shred of chicken making each bite perfectly saucy
  • You can throw it together in thirty minutes even on a busy weeknight
  • That cool crisp slaw cuts through the rich meat like magic
02 -
  • A store bought rotisserie chicken shreds easily and cuts your prep time down to practically nothing
  • Letting the slaw sit for ten minutes before serving softens the cabbage just enough to remove any harsh bite
03 -
  • Butter your buns before toasting even if the recipe says it is optional, because that layer of flavor makes a huge difference
  • Pile on more slaw than you think you need because it compresses when you take that first bite
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