BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Printable)

Smoky shredded chicken stacked with crisp slaw on a soft bun for a flavorful handheld meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ 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)

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Grill or poach the chicken breasts until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then shred using two forks.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the shredded or sliced chicken with barbecue sauce until fully coated.
03 - In a small bowl, mix cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and toast buns cut side down until golden, about 1 minute.
05 - Layer barbecue chicken onto the bottom halves of buns, add slaw and optional toppings like pickles and red onion, then cover with top halves.
06 - Serve sandwiches immediately while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the stress or takeout cost.
  • The slaw adds this bright, crispy contrast that keeps the sandwich from feeling heavy, even though it's definitely hearty.
  • You can use rotisserie chicken straight from the store and still feel like you've made something real and delicious.
02 -
  • If your buns are too soft or thin, they'll fall apart the moment you bite through the saucy chicken, so don't skip the toasting step or at least choose sturdy buns.
  • The slaw only stays crisp for about 30 minutes after it's made, so make it close to serving time, not hours ahead.
03 -
  • Toast your buns in butter even if you're in a hurry, because that 60 seconds of effort prevents a soggy sandwich and makes the whole thing taste more intentional.
  • If your barbecue sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of apple cider vinegar or even water so it coats the chicken evenly instead of clumping.
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