Juicy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

The BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a culinary masterpiece, a symphony of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors that will transport your taste buds to pure bliss. Forget your basic grilled cheese; this elevated version takes comfort food to a whole new level. We all crave that familiar, comforting embrace of a grilled cheese, right? But what if we could infuse it with the irresistible allure of barbecue? That’s where this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich shines. It’s the perfect marriage of tender, shredded chicken coated in your favorite tangy barbecue sauce, melted gooey cheese, and the satisfying crunch of perfectly toasted bread. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, a lazy weekend lunch, or even a fantastic potluck contribution. Prepare to fall head over heels for this sensational creation.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Get ready to elevate your grilled cheese game to a whole new level of deliciousness! This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a comforting classic with a smoky, savory twist that’s guaranteed to become a new family favorite. We’re talking tender shredded chicken coated in rich BBQ sauce, nestled between gooey, melty Havarti cheese, and grilled to golden perfection on buttery, garlic-infused sourdough. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend indulgence.

Ingredients:

Cooking Instructions:

Let’s get started on creating this flavor-packed masterpiece!

Step 1: Prepare the Smoky BBQ Chicken Filling

Begin extract by heating the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add your thinly sliced red onion. Sauté the onions for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and become slightly translucent. This process will bring out their natural sweetness. Now, add the minced garlic to the skillet with the onions and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. Next, add the shredded roasted chicken to the skillet. Stir it around with the onions and garlic for a couple of minutes to warm it through. Sprinkle in the paprika and stir to coat the chicken evenly. This will add a lovely depth of color and a subtle smoky flavor. Pour in the BBQ sauce and the Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is well coated in the luscious BBQ sauce. Let this mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Once it’s reached your desired consistency, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside. This is our incredibly flavorful filling!

Step 2: Infuse the Garlic Butter

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, the minced garlic, and the minced parsley. Mix them together thoroughly until everything is well incorporated. This garlic-herb butter is going to give our sourdough bread that irresistible golden-brown crust and an extra layer of savory goodness. Having the butter softened makes it much easier to spread evenly on the bread.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches

Now comes the fun part – assembling these flavor bombs! Lay out 12 slices of your sourdough bread (or sturdy white bread). Generously spread the garlic-herb butter mixture on one side of each slice of bread. This will be the outside of your sandwich, the part that gets grilled to crispy perfection. On the unbuttered side of 6 of the bread slices, begin extract layering your ingredients. Start with a generous amount of the Havarti cheese, placing 2 slices on each of these 6 bread pieces. Then, spoon a good portion of the smoky BBQ chicken filling over the cheese. Be sure to distribute it evenly, but don’t overstuff them too much, or the filling might ooze out excessively during grilling. Top the chicken filling with another 2 slices of Havarti cheese. Finally, place the remaining 6 slices of bread, butter-side up, on top of the cheese to complete your sandwiches.

Step 4: Grill the Sandwiches to Golden Perfection

Heat a clean large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. It’s important to use medium-low heat for grilling to ensure the cheese melts thoroughly without burning the bread. Once the skillet is heated, carefully place the assembled sandwiches onto the hot surface. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Cook the sandwiches for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is a beautiful golden brown and the Havarti cheese is delightfully melted and gooey. You can gently press down on the sandwiches with a spatula to help them cook evenly and ensure good contact with the pan. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary.

Step 5: Final Touches and Serving

Once both sides of your sandwiches are perfectly grilled and the cheese is oozing out enticingly, carefully remove them from the skillet. Let them rest for just a minute before slicing them in half, either diagonally or straight across. This brief resting period allows the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to handle and eat. Serve your mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches immediately. They are fantastic on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of coleslaw, potato salad, or some crispy fries for a truly complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy every single smoky, cheesy, and buttery bite!

Conclusion:

There you have it – a recipe for the ultimate BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich! This isn’t just any grilled cheese; it’s a flavor explosion that perfectly balances the smoky sweetness of BBQ chicken with the gooey, melty goodness of cheese, all encased in crispy, golden-brown bread. It’s incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to whip up, making it a fantastic option for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun weekend lunch, or even an impressive appetizer for a gathering. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own!

I highly recommend serving this delectable sandwich with a side of crunchy coleslaw to cut through the richness, or perhaps some sweet potato fries for an extra layer of deliciousness. For variations, consider adding caramelized onions for an extra depth of flavor, a sprinkle of jalapeños for a spicy kick, or trying different cheeses like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda. Whatever you do, I encourage you to give this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover shredded chicken instead of cooking it from scratch?

Absolutely! This recipe is a fantastic way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked shredded chicken you might have on hand. Simply toss your pre-cooked chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce and proceed with the recipe as instructed. It saves even more time!

What’s the best type of bread for this sandwich?

While I love a good sourdough or a sturdy white bread for its ability to crisp up beautifully, feel free to experiment! Brioche bread will add a touch of sweetness, while a whole wheat bread offers a nuttier flavor. The key is to choose a bread that holds up well to the fillings and grilling without becoming soggy.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A savory and satisfying grilled cheese sandwich loaded with shredded BBQ chicken and melted Havarti cheese on toasted sourdough.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
10 Minutes

Total Time
25 Minutes

Servings
6 servings

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
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
• 12 slices sourdough bread

Instructions

1. Step 1
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
2. Step 2
   Add the shredded roasted chicken to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir in paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is well coated and heated through.
3. Step 3
   While the chicken mixture is cooking, prepare the garlic butter by combining the softened butter with 2 minced cloves of garlic and minced parsley in a small bowl. Mix well.
4. Step 4
   Spread the garlic butter evenly on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
5. Step 5
   Assemble the sandwiches by placing 2 slices of Havarti cheese on the unbuttered side of six bread slices. Top with a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture. Add another 2 slices of Havarti cheese on top of the chicken. Place the remaining six bread slices, buttered-side up, on top of the cheese.
6. Step 6
   Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is melted and gooey.
7. Step 7
   Remove from skillet, let cool slightly, and serve immediately.

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.