BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Printable)

Smoky barbecue chicken piled on soft buns with crisp slaw and optional pickles for a flavorful meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Barbecue Sauce

02 - 1 cup 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 (optional, recommended)

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

→ Toppings (optional)

11 - Sliced pickles
12 - Red onion rings

# How-To:

01 - If not pre-cooked, grill or poach chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Shred using two forks.
02 - Toss the shredded or sliced chicken with barbecue sauce in a medium bowl until fully coated.
03 - In a small bowl, mix cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Toast buns cut side down until golden, approximately 1 minute.
05 - Layer barbecue chicken on bottom halves of buns. Top with slaw if desired, then add pickles and red onion. Close sandwiches with top halves.
06 - Serve sandwiches immediately while warm.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for when you're hungry but don't want to spend your evening cooking.
  • Crispy, buttered buns and tender pulled chicken create a textural contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • The optional slaw adds a bright, cool crunch that cuts through the richness and makes the sandwich feel lighter than it has any right to be.
02 -
  • Toast your buns even if it feels like an extra step—cold buns will absorb sauce and fall apart, while toasted ones stay structured and add a subtle textural contrast.
  • Don't skip the slaw just because it's optional; the cool, tangy crunch is what transforms this from a quick meal into something memorable and balanced.
  • Pull off some barbecue sauce before assembly if you find your sandwiches getting too wet, and remember that rotisserie chicken is a legitimate game-changer when time is tight.
03 -
  • Shred chicken by placing two forks back-to-back and pulling in opposite directions—it's faster and creates more appealing, tender pieces than chopping with a knife.
  • If your buns are getting soggy, spread a thin layer of mayo on the bottom bun first to create a moisture barrier between bread and sauce.
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