Name: BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 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; ¼ cup butter; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons parsley, minced; 12 slices sourdough bread

The ultimate comfort food just got a smoky, savory upgrade with this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Forget your basic grilled cheese; we’re talking about an explosion of flavor that will transport your taste buds straight to barbecue heaven. Why do we adore this magnificent creation? It’s the perfect marriage of sweet, tangy BBQ sauce clingin extractg to tender, shredded chicken, all nestled between perfectly golden-brown, gooey, melted cheese. This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s that nostalgic childhood favorite elevated to an epic, grown-up level, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend indulgence. The magic lies in the simplicity – simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. Get ready to fall in love with your grilled cheese all over again!

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Get ready for a flavor explosion that’s going to redefine your grilled cheese game! This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is more than just a sandwich; it’s a comforting, savory, and slightly sweet masterpiece that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend treat. We’re taking the classic grilled cheese we all love and infusing it with the smoky, tangy goodness of BBQ chicken, all wrapped up in perfectly toasted, buttery bread. Trust me, once you try this, you might never go back to plain old grilled cheese again.

Let’s get down to what you’ll need to create this culinary delight.

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, softened

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons parsley, minced

12 slices sourdough bread or sturdy white bread

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the magic of making this incredible sandwich.

Preparing the BBQ Chicken Filling

The first step to achieving that incredible flavor is to create our luscious BBQ chicken filling. This is where the savory and smoky notes really start to shine.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the thinly sliced red onion. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, or until they start to soften and become slightly translucent. We’re not looking for them to be deeply caramelized here, just tender and ready to absorb the other flavors.

Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the softened onions. Stir and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter very quickly. This aromatic base is crucial for building the depth of flavor in our chicken mixture.

Now, it’s time to add the shredded roasted chicken to the skillet. Stir it around to coat the chicken with the onion and garlic mixture.

Sprinkle in the paprika and add the Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together well, allowing the chicken to absorb these delicious seasonings. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, just to warm the chicken through and meld the flavors.

Pour in the BBQ sauce. Stir it all together until the chicken is thoroughly coated in the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering process allows the flavors to deepen and the sauce to thicken slightly, creating a wonderfully moist and flavorful filling for our grilled cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed – maybe a pinch more paprika for a smokier kick, or a touch more Worcestershire for tang.

Assembling and Grilling the Sandwiches

With our fantastic BBQ chicken filling ready, it’s time to assemble and grill these beauties to golden-brown perfection. This is where the magic of melted cheese and toasted bread truly comes alive.

While the chicken filling is simmering, prepare your garlic-parsley butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with the minced garlic and minced parsley. Mix it thoroughly until well combined. This seasoned butter is our secret weapon for achieving that perfectly crispy, flavorful crust on our sourdough bread.

Lay out your 12 slices of sourdough bread on a clean surface. Generously spread the garlic-parsley butter on one side of each slice of bread. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwich, ensuring a gorgeous golden-brown and flavorful crust.

Now, let’s build these sandwiches! On the unbuttered side of six of the bread slices, layer the Havarti cheese. I like to use two slices per sandwich to ensure maximum gooeyness. Havarti is a fantastic choice because it melts beautifully and has a mild, creamy flavor that complements the BBQ chicken without overpowering it.

Spoon a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese on each of those six slices. Don’t be shy – load them up! Make sure to spread it out evenly.

Top each sandwich with another slice of Havarti cheese. This second layer of cheese helps to bind the filling and creates that ultimate cheese pull we all crave.

Place the remaining six slices of bread, butter-side up, on top of the filling to complete your sandwiches.

Grilling for Golden Perfection

This is the final, crucial step that transforms our assembled sandwiches into the irresistible BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches you’ve been dreaming of. Patience and a medium-low heat are your allies here.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. It’s important to use medium-low heat so that the bread toasts to a beautiful golden-brown without the cheese inside burning or the filling getting cold.

Carefully place the assembled sandwiches onto the heated skillet. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this can lead to uneven cooking.

Grill for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. You’re looking for that iconic golden-brown, crispy crust and for the Havarti cheese to be completely melted and oozing out delightfully. Gently lift a corner with a spatula to check for browning.

Once the first side is perfectly toasted and golden, carefully flip the sandwiches using a spatula. Continue to grill the second side for another 4-5 minutes, or until it’s equally golden-brown and the cheese is thoroughly melted and gooey. You might notice some of the BBQ sauce bubbling out the sides – that’s a good sign!

Once both sides are beautifully golden and the cheese is gloriously melted, carefully remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Let them rest for a minute or two before slicing. This brief rest allows the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to cut and eat without everything falling apart.

Serve these BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches immediately, perhaps with a side of coleslaw or some crunchy pickles. Get ready for smiles all around as everyone digs into this incredible flavor combination. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – the ultimate BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich! This recipe truly elevates the humble grilled cheese into a flavor-packed masterpiece. The smoky sweetness of the barbecue sauce, perfectly complemented by tender shredded chicken and gooey, melted cheese, all encased in crispy, golden-brown bread, creates a symphony of textures and tastes that’s simply irresistible. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for guests, making it a fantastic go-to for any occasion.

For serving suggestions, I love pairing this sandwich with a crisp, refreshing coleslaw to cut through the richness, or some seasoned potato wedges for a truly hearty meal. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider adding thinly sliced red onion for a bit of bite, or a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese alongside your cheddar for an extra cheesy pull. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your favorite BBQ sauce – a spicier one can add a wonderful kick!

I genuinely encourage you to give this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe a try. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and so satisfying to make. Let me know how yours turns out!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the BBQ chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can shred cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut!) and toss it with your favorite BBQ sauce a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the sandwiches even quicker!

What kind of bread works best for this sandwich?

While you can use almost any sturdy bread, I find that a good quality sourdough or a thick-cut challah bread really holds up well and provides a wonderful flavor base. Avoid very thin or flimsy bread, as it might become soggy.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A smoky and savory grilled cheese sandwich piled high with BBQ chicken and melted cheese.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
10 Minutes

Total Time
25 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
¼ cup butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons parsley, minced
12 slices sourdough bread

Instructions

Step 1
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced red onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 2
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Stir in the shredded roasted chicken, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and well coated.
Step 4
Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread. In a separate small bowl, mix the softened butter with minced garlic and parsley. Spread this garlic-herb butter on the unbuttered side of each bread slice.
Step 5
Assemble the sandwiches by placing 2 slices of Havarti cheese on the unbuttered side of 6 bread slices. Top with a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture, then another 2 slices of Havarti cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up.
Step 6
Grill the sandwiches in a preheated skillet or on a griddle over medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side, or 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.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Easy & Delicious

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich