Name: BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 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 or sturdy white bread

The ultimate BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is more than just a sandwich; it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen. We all know and love the comforting embrace of a classic grilled cheese, but imagin extracte taking that beloved gooey cheese and crispy bread and infusing it with the smoky, tangy, and sweet perfection of barbecue chicken. That’s exactly what we’ve achieved here! This isn’t your average midday meal; it’s a gourmet upgrade that will have your taste buds singin extractg. The appeal lies in its brilliant simplicity and the decadent contrast of textures and tastes. Juicy, shredded chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce, nestled between perfectly toasted bread and melted, stretchy cheese – it’s pure comfort food bliss. What makes this particular BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich so special is how effortlessly it blends two universally adored dishes into one unforgettable creation.

The Ultimate BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Forget everything you thought you knew about grilled cheese. Today, we’re elevating this comfort food classic into a flavor-packed masterpiece that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or anytime that smoky, cheesy craving strikes. Imagin extracte tender, savory shredded chicken bathed in rich BBQ sauce, nestled between perfectly golden, buttery bread with melty Havarti cheese. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that will have you reaching for seconds. This recipe is surprisingly simple to put together, and the results are truly spectacular. Let’s get cooking!

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

Making the BBQ Chicken Filling

The heart of this sandwich is our flavorful BBQ chicken. We’ll start by building a base of aromatics to really awaken the flavors.

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begin extracts to soften and turn translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Don’t rush this step; softening the onion allows its natural sweetness to come out.

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. Stir it constantly to ensure even cooking.

Now, add the shredded roasted chicken to the skillet. Toss it with the onions and garlic to coat. Sprinkle in the paprika and stir to combine, allowing the spice to bloom in the heat for about 30 seconds. This will intensify its smoky aroma and flavor.

Pour in the BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. You want a consistency that’s saucy but not watery, so it doesn’t make your sandwich soggy. If it’s too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or more BBQ sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed – maybe a pinch of salt or a dash more Worcestershire. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assembling and Grilling the Sandwiches

This is where the magic truly happens. We’ll be creating that iconic golden-brown crust and gooey, cheesy interior.

While the chicken filling is cooling slightly, prepare your garlic-parsley butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and minced parsley. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed. This flavored butter is going to give our bread an incredible savory and herbaceous crust.

Lay out 6 slices of sourdough bread. Generously spread the garlic-parsley butter on one side of each slice. This will be the outside of your sandwich, the side that hits the pan.

Flip the unbuttered side of these 6 slices face up. Now, it’s time to build our sandwiches. Place 2 slices of Havarti cheese on each of the 6 bread slices. Don’t be shy with the cheese; it’s a grilled cheese, after all!

Next, spoon a generous portion of the BBQ chicken filling over the cheese on each sandwich. Make sure to distribute it evenly. You want a good amount of chicken in every bite, but try not to overstuff them, or they’ll be difficult to handle and might leak during cooking.

Top each sandwich with another 2 slices of Havarti cheese. This creates a lovely cheesy layer on both sides of the chicken, ensuring maximum meltiness.

Now, take the remaining 6 slices of sourdough bread and spread the garlic-parsley butter on one side of each. Place these butter-side-up slices on top of the assembled sandwiches, creating your final sandwich stacks.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. It’s important to use medium-low heat to ensure the bread browns beautifully and the cheese melts thoroughly without burning the bread. Place the sandwiches onto the hot skillet, butter-side down. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your skillet.

Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. Gently press down on the sandwiches with a spatula occasionally to ensure even browning and good contact with the pan. You can lift a corner of the sandwich to check the browning progress. Once one side is perfectly golden, carefully flip the sandwich using a spatula. Repeat on the second side until it reaches the same golden perfection.

Once both sides are beautifully golden and the cheese is oozing out, remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Let them rest for a minute or two before slicing. This allows the cheese to settle slightly and makes them easier to cut without everything falling apart. Slice diagonally and serve immediately. Prepare for a truly satisfying bite!

Conclusion:

There you have it! This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe is an absolute winner because it takes the comforting familiarity of a classic grilled cheese and elevates it with the smoky, sweet, and savory punch of BBQ chicken. It’s a perfect balance of textures – the gooey, melted cheese, the tender shredded chicken, and the perfectly toasted, crispy bread. This is more than just a sandwich; it’s a flavor explosion that’s guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. I love serving this alongside a crisp, fresh coleslaw or a simple side salad to cut through the richness. For a real treat, try adding some caramelized onions or pickled jalapeños for an extra layer of flavor and a touch of heat. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different BBQ sauces to discover your favorite combination. I truly encourage you to give this BBQ chicken grilled cheese a try – it’s surprisingly easy to make and incredibly rewarding. You won’t regret adding this gem to your recipe repertoire!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of bread works best for this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese?

A sturdy bread that can hold up to the fillings is ideal. Sourdough, Texas toast, or a good quality brioche bread work wonderfully. They provide a great crust when grilled and don’t get too soggy from the BBQ sauce.

Can I make the BBQ chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! Making the BBQ chicken ahead of time is a fantastic way to speed up the sandwich assembly. You can shred rotisserie chicken and toss it with your favorite BBQ sauce, or cook chicken breasts and shred them. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

What cheese is recommended for this sandwich?

For that perfect melt, a combination of cheeses is often best. Sharp cheddar provides a great flavor punch, while mozzarella or provolone offer that classic stretchy, gooey texture. Feel free to use your favorite melting cheeses!

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A smoky and savory grilled cheese sandwich loaded with shredded chicken tossed in BBQ sauce and melted Havarti cheese on toasted sourdough.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
30 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 or sturdy white bread

Instructions

Step 1
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add red onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 2
Stir in the shredded roasted chicken, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Stir in the BBQ sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until the chicken is well coated.
Step 3
Butter one side of each slice of bread. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic and minced parsley with the softened butter. Spread this garlic-parsley butter on the unbuttered side of each bread slice.
Step 4
Place 6 slices of bread, butter-side down, in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Layer 2 slices of Havarti cheese on each of these bread slices.
Step 5
Spoon a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese. Top with another 2 slices of Havarti cheese, then place the remaining 6 bread slices on top, butter-side up.
Step 6
Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is melted and gooey. Slice in half 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.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe – A Flavorful Fusion

The Ultimate BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich