Juicy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – it’s a mouthful, and it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen! Forget your childhood grilled cheese dreams; we’re taking that comforting classic and elevating it to a whole new level of savory satisfaction. This isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a culinary hug, a smoky, cheesy symphony that will have you questioning every other lunch you’ve ever eaten. People absolutely adore this dish because it perfectly marries the irresistible pull of melted cheese with the tangy, sweet, and slightly smoky goodness of barbecue chicken. What truly makes the BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich special is that unexpected yet harmonious pairing. It’s the ultimate comfort food fusion, delivering a satisfying crunch from perfectly grilled bread, a gooey, stretchy cheese pull, and tender, flavorful chicken all in one glorious bite.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Get ready to elevate your grilled cheese game to an entirely new level with this incredible BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe! This isn’t your average childhood grilled cheese; it’s a flavor explosion that’s both comforting and exciting, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend indulgence. We’re taking tender, saucy BBQ chicken and layering it between perfectly grilled, cheesy sourdough bread. The sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, the savory chicken, and the melty Havarti cheese create a symphony of tastes and textures that will have you reaching for seconds. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients:

Preparing the BBQ Chicken Filling

The foundation of our amazing sandwich is a flavorful BBQ chicken filling. This step is crucial for ensuring each bite is packed with deliciousness.

First, let’s get our aromatic base going. Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the thinly sliced red onion. Sauté the onion for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begin extracts to soften and become translucent. We want it tender, not browned or crispy at this stage. This sweetness from the softened onions will be a beautiful contrast to the tangy BBQ sauce.

Next, add the 3 minced cloves of garlic to the skillet with the onions. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Burnt garlic can turn bitter, so keep a close eye on it. Stir everything together to combine.

Now, it’s time to introduce the star of the show: the shredded roasted chicken. Add the 2 ½ cups of shredded roasted chicken to the skillet. Stir it into the onions and garlic, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

Sprinkle in the ½ teaspoon of paprika and the 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to coat the chicken. Paprika adds a lovely depth of color and a subtle smoky flavor, while Worcestershire sauce provides a savory, umami kick that really enhances the chicken.

Pour in the 1 cup of BBQ sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is thoroughly coated in the sauce. Let this mixture simmer gently for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together. The sauce should thicken slightly, creating a wonderfully moist and flavorful chicken filling. If it seems too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water. Once ready, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside. This delicious filling is now ready to be assembled into our sandwiches.

Assembling and Grilling the Sandwiches

With our flavorful BBQ chicken filling prepped and ready, we can now move on to assembling and grilling these beauties. This is where the magic truly happens, transforming simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal.

Let’s get the bread ready for its golden-brown destiny. In a small bowl, combine the softened ¼ cup of butter with the 2 minced cloves of garlic and the 2 teaspoons of minced parsley. Mix this all together until you have a fragrant garlic-parsley butter. This compound butter is going to give our grilled cheese an incredible flavor and a perfectly crispy exterior.

Now, it’s time to build our sandwiches. Lay out 6 slices of the sourdough bread (or your sturdy white bread) on a clean surface. Spread a generous amount of the prepared garlic-parsley butter on one side of each of these 6 slices. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwich, ensuring maximum crispiness and flavor.

On the unbuttered side of each of these 6 slices, we’ll begin extract layering our delicious components. Place 2 slices of Havarti cheese on each slice of bread. Havarti is wonderfully creamy and melts beautifully, making it an ideal cheese for grilled cheese. Then, spoon a generous portion of the prepared BBQ chicken filling over the cheese. Don’t be shy; load them up! Ensure the filling is spread relatively evenly.

Now, take the remaining 6 slices of bread and butter one side of each. Place these buttered slices on top of the chicken filling, with the buttered side facing upwards. You should now have 6 magnificent, ungrilled sandwiches.

It’s grilling time! Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. You want a moderate heat to ensure the bread turns golden brown and crispy without the cheese burning. Carefully place 2 or 3 sandwiches onto the hot skillet. Cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is deeply golden brown and the cheese is gloriously melted and gooey. Press down gently with a spatula occasionally to ensure even cooking. You might need to adjust the heat if your bread is browning too quickly or too slowly. If the bread is getting too dark but the cheese isn’t fully melted, you can cover the skillet for a minute or two to trap heat and help the cheese melt. Once perfectly grilled, carefully remove the sandwiches from the skillet.

Serve these incredible BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches immediately. They are absolutely fantastic on their own, but can also be paired with a side of coleslaw or a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy every decadent, flavor-packed bite!

Conclusion:

There you have it – the ultimate BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich! This recipe is a winner because it takes two beloved comfort foods and melds them into something truly spectacular. The smoky sweetness of the BBQ chicken, combined with gooey melted cheese and the satisfying crunch of perfectly grilled bread, creates a flavor explosion that’s both familiar and exciting. It’s incredibly versatile, making it a fantastic option for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun weekend lunch, or even a crowd-pleasing party snack. Don’t be afraid to get creative with it; this sandwich is a fantastic canvas for your culinary imagin extractation!

I highly encourage you to give this BBQ chicken grilled cheese a try. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly rewarding, and guaranteed to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad, some crunchy coleslaw, or even a side of sweet potato fries for a complete and satisfying meal. For variations, consider adding caramelized onions for extra sweetness, a dash of hot sauce for a kick, or using different types of cheese like smoked gouda or pepper jack for an added layer of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover pulled chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover pulled chicken is perfect for this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Simply shred or chop it, warm it up with your favorite BBQ sauce, and you’re good to go. It’s a fantastic way to repurpose leftovers into a brand-new, delicious meal.

What kind of bread is best for this sandwich?

While any good sandwich bread will work, a sturdy sourdough or a thick-cut brioche really shines. These breads hold up well to the fillings and get wonderfully crispy on the outside when grilled, providing the perfect textural contrast.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the BBQ chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, it’s best to assemble and grill the sandwiches just before serving to ensure the bread is perfectly toasted and the cheese is melty and gooey.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A delicious and easy grilled cheese sandwich packed with smoky BBQ chicken and creamy Havarti cheese on toasted sourdough.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
20 Minutes

Total Time
35 Minutes

Servings
6 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 ½ cups shredded roasted chicken
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 12 slices Havarti cheese
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
• 12 slices sourdough bread

Instructions

1. Step 1
   In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add red onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
2. Step 2
   Add shredded chicken, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Step 3
   Stir in BBQ sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken mixture to thicken slightly.
4. Step 4
   Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread. In a separate small bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic and minced parsley. Spread this mixture evenly on the unbuttered side of 6 bread slices.
5. Step 5
   Place 2 slices of Havarti cheese on the unbuttered side of the remaining 6 bread slices. Top each with a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture. Place the garlic-parsley buttered bread slices on top, butter-side up.
6. Step 6
   Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Grill the sandwiches for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.