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Pulled pork is so last year – kickstart the summer the right way with Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches instead! In just under 45 minutes, you could have the most flavorful, tender BBQ chicken topped with homemade coleslaw between two brioche buns. What are you waiting for?!
It’s the season of the backyard barbecue, ladies and gentlemen. It’s finally here! And I fully plan on embracing the warm weather by serving up some of these pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches.
They’re loaded with savory and sweet BBQ flavor, while also tasting deliciously fresh with easy homemade coleslaw!
The best part is, you can dress these sandwiches up or down however you’d like. Making one for a super picky eater? Omit the coleslaw. Making one for someone who loves it all? Toss on some extra coleslaw, pickles and melted cheese for the ultimate BBQ chicken sandwich experience.
Serve these sandwiches with the chips of your choice and some sweet tea (or something a little stronger) and you’ll have the best backyard barbecue party on the block.
They’re so very easy to make, and the list of ingredients is pretty short and simple for homemade barbecue. There’s nothing about these sandwiches I don’t totally love!
Ingredients
The chicken will need:
- Olive oil – Any other neutral flavored cooking oil like avocado or vegetable oil will also work.
- Onion – Yellow onion is best for this recipe, as it’s slightly sweet but still has a noticeable onion flavor when cooked.
- Chicken – I just buy a trusty rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and shred it. See, told ya it was easy!
- Barbecue sauce – Just use your favorite brand! My favorite is Stubb’s sweet heat.
- Cheddar cheese slices – You can also use American cheese slices if preferred.
The coleslaw calls for:
- Coleslaw mix – You can definitely shred your own cabbage if desired, but I’ve found that buying a bag of coleslaw mix is just as good and saves time.
- Mayonnaise – Low fat or regular mayo both work perfectly.
- Vinegar – Really any vinegar of your choice will be tasty! I like apple cider vinegar in my coleslaw.
- Mustard – Just a teaspoon of yellow mustard brings a delicious tanginess to the coleslaw.
- Sugar – Plain white sugar is all you need, nothing fancy.
- Salt and pepper – Just enough to taste.
Some additional stuff to grab at the store:
- Pickles – They’re optional, but these sandwiches are SO freaking good with bread and butter pickles.
- Buns – Hamburger or brioche buns are what you need to bring it all together!
Can I make the BBQ pulled chicken spicy?
I totally get it – sometimes, barbecue flavors and spiciness go hand in hand! There’s nothing quite like a little heat to balance the sweet.
The easiest way to add a little spice to the chicken is to use a hot BBQ sauce. If you can’t get your hands on any, though, just mix a teaspoon or more of cayenne pepper with the BBQ sauce you have. Adjust to taste!
Also, consider serving the sandwiches with either pickled or fresh jalapeños, depending on your preference.
What should I serve with these pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches?
You can serve it with a side of chips, french fries, grilled veggies, or whatever you feel your pulled chicken sandwich needs!
Of course, don’t forget the homemade coleslaw!
How long will pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches stay fresh?
Don’t assemble the sandwiches or toast the cheesy buns until you’re ready to serve them!
However, once you shred the chicken and toss it in sauce, you can keep it fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days.
BBQ and chicken go together better than PB&J!
Grilled Pineapple BBQ Chicken Kabobs
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 2 cups (109 g) chicken, cooked and shredded (rotisserie is great)
- 1 cup (286 g) your favorite barbeque sauce, I love Stubb's sweet heat
- 4 cheddar cheese slices
For the coleslaw topping:
- 2 cups (140 g) coleslaw mix
- ⅓ cup (75 g) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Additional:
- ½ cup (118 g) bread and butter pickles
- 4 hamburger or brioche buns
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and add the onions. Cook till translucent and slightly caramelized about 10 to 15 minutes.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, and sugar. Stir well.
- Place the coleslaw in a mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise. Stir well and taste. Add salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Preheat the broiler to 500 °F (260 °C). Place the bread on a pan and add a piece of cheese to the bottom of the buns. Place directly under the broiler. Broil until toasted and the cheese is melted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Watch it carefully!
- When the onions are cooked, add the chicken and the barbeque sauce and cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place a heaping amount of the barbeque chicken on each cheese bread and top with coleslaw and pickles.
- Serve with your favorite chips or french fries.
Made half the recipe and it was the best I have ever had. Ate it on bread without pickles….delicious. Thank you.