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BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese (Sweet, Smoky, and Cheesy!)

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This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese is a flavor-packed twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich! It features tender, shredded roasted chicken tossed in a smoky BBQ sauce, layered with creamy Havarti cheese, and grilled between slices of buttery, garlic-infused bread. I love how this recipe combines the comfort of grilled cheese with the bold flavors of barbecue. It's a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or a game-day snack.

Why You'll Love This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

  • Sweet and Smoky Flavor: The combination of BBQ sauce, chicken, and Havarti cheese creates a delicious sweet and smoky flavor profile.
  • Crispy and Gooey: The bread gets perfectly golden and crispy, while the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
  • Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
  • Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
  • Comfort Food Upgrade: A fun and flavorful twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese, including bread, chicken, cheese, and BBQ sauce.

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious sandwich. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

BBQ Chicken

  • Olive oil (Oil)
  • Red onion, thinly sliced (Vegetable)
  • Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
  • Shredded roasted chicken (Meat)
  • Paprika (Spice)
  • Worcestershire sauce (Condiment)
  • BBQ sauce (Sauce)

Garlic Butter Bread

  • Butter (Fat)
  • Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
  • Parsley, minced (Herb)
  • Sourdough bread or sturdy white bread (Bread)

Cheese

  • Havarti cheese (Dairy)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

  • Different Cheese: Use cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or provolone cheese instead of Havarti.
  • Add Bacon: Add some cooked and crumbled bacon for extra smoky flavor.
  • Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ chicken mixture.
  • Different Bread: Use your favorite type of bread, such as ciabatta, multigrain, or Texas toast.
  • Add Pickles: Add some sliced pickles or pickled onions for a tangy crunch.
Assembling the BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese before grilling.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

Let me show you how easy it is to make this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese:

Make the BBQ Chicken

  1. I heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. I cook the sliced onions until soft, about 2 minutes.
  3. I add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. I add the shredded roasted chicken, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce to the skillet.
  5. I stir to combine and cook until everything is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.

Make the Garlic Butter Bread

  1. I add the butter, minced garlic, and minced parsley to a medium bowl.
  2. I microwave until melted.

Assemble the Sandwiches

  1. I lay 12 slices of bread on my work surface.
  2. I spread the melted garlic butter mixture over each piece of bread.
  3. I turn each piece over and top 6 of the bread slices with 6 of the cheese slices and the BBQ chicken mixture, dividing it evenly.
  4. I add the remaining cheese over the top of the chicken.
  5. I top with the remaining 6 slices of bread (both the bottom and the top should have the buttered side exposed).

Grill the Sandwiches

  1. I set the buttered sandwiches in a large non-stick skillet.
  2. I place it over medium heat and cook until the bottoms of the sandwiches are browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. I turn the sandwiches over, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking until the bottom is browned and the cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes longer.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Grilled Cheese

Here are my secrets for making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich:

  • Use Good Quality Bread: A sturdy bread, like sourdough, is best for holding up to the fillings.
  • Butter the Bread Generously: Buttering the outside of the bread creates a golden-brown and crispy crust.
  • Low and Slow: Cooking the sandwiches over medium-low heat allows the cheese to melt completely without burning the bread.
  • Press Gently: Pressing the sandwiches gently with a spatula helps to melt the cheese and create a more compact sandwich.

How to Serve

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese is perfect for:

  • Lunch: A quick and easy lunch that's packed with flavor.
  • Dinner: A satisfying and comforting dinner.
  • Game Day: A great sandwich for watching the game.
BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese served on a plate, ready to be enjoyed.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare the BBQ chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble and grill the sandwiches just before serving. Leftover sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet, in the oven, or in a panini press.

FAQs about BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

  • Can I use a different type of cheese?
    • Yes, you can use any type of cheese you like.
  • Can I make this without the chicken?
    • Yes, you can omit the chicken or substitute it with another type of protein, like pulled pork or tofu.
  • Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce?
    • Yes

Enjoy this flavorful, cheesy, and easy-to-make BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese! It's a perfect meal for any occasion.

Print
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BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese served on a plate, ready to be enjoyed.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

  • Author: Caoimhe Byrne
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: Main Course, Sandwich
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

These BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are a delicious and satisfying meal. Shredded roasted chicken is tossed in a smoky BBQ sauce and layered with Havarti cheese between slices of buttery, garlic-parsley bread, then grilled until golden brown and melty.

Ingredients

Scale

For the BBQ Chicken:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ½ cups shredded, cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)

For the Garlic Butter Bread:

  • ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, minced
  • 12 slices sourdough bread (or other sturdy white bread)

For the Sandwiches:

  • 12 slices Havarti cheese

Instructions

  • Prepare BBQ Chicken:

    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add the thinly sliced red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes.
    • Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
    • Add the shredded cooked chicken, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce to the skillet.
    • Stir well to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

  • Make Garlic Butter:

    • In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and minced fresh parsley. Stir well to combine.

  • Assemble Sandwiches:

    • Lay out the 12 slices of bread on a clean work surface.
    • Brush one side of each slice of bread with the garlic butter mixture.
    • Flip the bread slices over so the buttered sides are facing down.
    • On six of the bread slices, place one slice of Havarti cheese.
    • Divide the BBQ chicken mixture evenly among the six cheese-topped bread slices.
    • Top the chicken with the remaining six slices of Havarti cheese (one slice per sandwich).
    • Place the remaining six slices of bread on top of the cheese, buttered-side up, to complete the sandwiches.

  • Grill Sandwiches:

    • Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat.
    • Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet (you may need to work in batches).
    • Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is melted and gooey. Reduce the heat to medium-low after flipping to ensure the cheese melts completely without burning the bread. Press down gently on the sandwiches with a spatula while they cook.

  • Serve

Notes

  • Chicken: You can use leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or quickly cook chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe.
  • BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce.
  • Cheese: Havarti cheese is recommended for its creamy texture and mild flavor, but you can substitute other cheeses, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or provolone.
  • Bread: Sourdough bread is recommended for its tangy flavor and sturdy texture, but you can use other sturdy white breads.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve these BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwiches with a side of coleslaw, potato salad, or your favorite chips.

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