BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Print Version)

Tender BBQ chicken with crisp slaw on soft toasted buns

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cooked and shredded or grilled and sliced

→ Barbecue Sauce

02 - 1 cup (8 fl oz) barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)

→ Sandwich

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

→ Slaw

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

→ Toppings

11 - Sliced pickles
12 - Red onion rings

# How to Make It:

01 - If not already cooked, grill or poach the chicken breasts until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then shred using two forks.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the shredded (or grilled and sliced) chicken with the barbecue sauce until evenly coated.
03 - In a small bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly distributed.
04 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place buns, cut side down, and toast until golden (about 1 minute).
05 - Pile the BBQ chicken onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with slaw, pickles, and red onion as desired. Cover with the top half of the bun.
06 - Serve immediately while warm for best texture and flavor.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The contrast between warm, smoky chicken and cool, crisp slaw creates that perfect bite balance
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight chaos or last-minute weekend gatherings
02 -
  • Using a rotisserie chicken shaves off serious prep time without sacrificing flavor or texture
  • Adding a dash of hot sauce to your barbecue sauce creates this subtle warmth that people notice but can't quite identify
03 -
  • Don't skip toasting the buns since that slight crunch keeps everything from becoming a soggy mess
  • Letting assembled sandwiches rest for two minutes before serving helps everything settle together
Go Back