BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A Flavor Explosion Between Two Slices of Bread

Picture this: golden-brown, garlicky bread, perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, embracing a molten layer of creamy Havarti cheese that’s oozing with savory BBQ chicken. This isn’t your average grilled cheese; it’s a BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich, a flavor bomb that combines the comforting familiarity of grilled cheese with the smoky sweetness of barbecue. I remember the first time I made this sandwich. I had some leftover roasted chicken and was craving something cheesy and satisfying. I decided to get creative and combine it with my love for grilled cheese, and the result was pure magic! It was so easy to make, and the combination of the crispy bread, melted cheese, and tangy BBQ chicken was absolutely irresistible. Now, it’s one of my go-to comfort food meals.

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This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks. It’s quick, requires minimal ingredients and prep work, and is a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without any complicated cooking techniques. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – you can easily customize it to your liking, swapping out ingredients, adding your favorite toppings, and adjusting the seasonings to create your own signature grilled cheese masterpiece. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and flavorful meal that’s sure to please everyone, this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is the answer.  

Ingredients and Preparation: The Building Blocks of Grilled Cheese Goodness

This recipe uses simple, readily accessible ingredients, making it a breeze for even the most novice cooks to assemble.

BBQ Chicken:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced – Alternative: You can use yellow onion or white onion. You can also add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, for added flavor and nutrition.  
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – Alternative: You can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
• 2 ½ cups shredded roasted chicken – Alternative: You can use rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, or even canned chicken (drained and rinsed). You can also use shredded turkey or pork. For a vegetarian option, try using shredded jackfruit or seasoned tofu.
• ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika adds a nice smoky flavor) – Alternative: You can use regular paprika or chili powder for a different flavor profile.
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – Alternative: You can use soy sauce or balsamic vinegar as a substitute.
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand) – Alternative: You can make your own BBQ sauce or use a different type of sauce, such as buffalo sauce or honey mustard.

Garlic Butter Bread:

• ¼ cup butter (unsalted) – Alternative: You can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt you add to the sandwich. You can also use margarine or a plant-based butter alternative.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Alternative: You can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
• 2 teaspoons parsley, minced (fresh or dried) – Alternative: You can use other herbs, such as chives, oregano, or thyme.  
• 12 slices sourdough bread (or sturdy white bread) – Alternative: You can use other types of bread, such as Texas toast, brioche, or even ciabatta. Choose a bread that is sturdy enough to hold the filling and won’t get soggy.
• 12 slices Havarti cheese – Alternative: You can use other types of cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or mozzarella. Choose a cheese that melts well and complements the flavors of the BBQ chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Grilled Cheese Magic

These easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through each step of creating your delicious BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich:

BBQ Chicken:

1. Sauté Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Beginner Note: Sautéing the onions brings out their sweetness and mellows their flavor.
2. Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Beginner Note: Garlic can burn quickly, so watch it closely.  
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded roasted chicken, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook until everything is heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Beginner Note: Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce.

Garlic Butter Bread:

1. Melt Butter Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the butter, minced garlic, and minced parsley. Microwave until the butter is melted. Beginner Note: You can also melt the butter mixture in a small saucepan over low heat.
2. Butter Bread: Lay the 12 slices of bread on a work surface. Spread the melted butter mixture evenly over one side of each slice. Beginner Note: Make sure the butter mixture is evenly distributed so that the bread browns evenly.
3. Assemble Sandwiches: Turn each slice of bread over (so the buttered side is down) and place 6 of the bread slices with 6 of the Havarti cheese slices. Top the cheese with the BBQ chicken mixture, dividing it evenly among the sandwiches. Add the remaining cheese over the top of the chicken. Top with the remaining 6 slices of bread (buttered side up). Beginner Note: Layering the cheese on both sides of the chicken will help to hold the sandwich together and ensure that the cheese melts evenly.
4. Grill Sandwiches: Set the buttered sandwiches in a large non-stick skillet. Place over medium heat and cook until the bottoms of the sandwiches are browned and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beginner Note: Use medium heat to prevent the bread from burning before the cheese melts.  
5. Flip and Finish: Turn the sandwiches over, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking until the bottoms are browned and the cheese is melted and gooey, 3 to 5 minutes longer. Beginner Note: Reducing the heat to medium-low will help to ensure that the cheese melts completely without burning the bread.  

Beginner Tips and Notes: Your Kitchen Companion

Even simple recipes have a few tricks to make them even better:

• Use Softened Butter: Softened butter will spread more easily on the bread.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Cook the sandwiches in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding can cause the sandwiches to steam instead of brown.
• Use a Non-Stick Skillet: A non-stick skillet will help to prevent the sandwiches from sticking and make them easier to flip.
• Adjust the Heat: Adjust the heat as needed to prevent the bread from burning and ensure that the cheese melts completely.
• Use a Spatula to Press Down: Use a spatula to gently press down on the sandwiches while they are cooking. This will help to ensure that the cheese melts evenly and the sandwiches stay together.
• Customize Your Fillings: Get creative with your fillings! You can add other ingredients, such as bacon, caramelized onions, pickles, or different types of cheese.

Serving Suggestions: Completing the Grilled Cheese Experience

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is delicious and satisfying on its own, but you can also enhance it with some complementary sides and pairings.

• Tomato Soup: Tomato soup is a classic pairing with grilled cheese sandwiches. The warm, creamy soup complements the cheesy, savory sandwich perfectly.
• Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing will add some freshness and balance to the meal.
• Pickles: Pickles add a tangy crunch that complements the richness of the sandwich.
• Coleslaw: Coleslaw is another great side dish that pairs well with BBQ chicken. The creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing element to the meal.  
• Potato Chips: Potato chips are a classic snack that pairs perfectly with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Storage Tips for Leftovers:

Store leftover grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. To reheat in the oven, wrap the sandwich in foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Conclusion: A Grilled Cheese Revelation

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful meal that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a fantastic way to elevate a classic comfort food to new heights and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. I encourage you to try this recipe and make it your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and toppings to create your perfect grilled cheese masterpiece. Share your culinary creations and experiences in the comments below – I’d love to see your variations! This easy and versatile recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. It’s a quick, healthy, and flavorful way to get a delicious meal on the table without any fuss. And the best part? It’s so easy to customize! You can add your favorite vegetables, adjust the seasonings to your liking, and pair it with a variety of sides to create a meal that’s perfect for you. So, go ahead, give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and the joy of sharing a delicious meal with loved ones. It’s the kind of dish that warms the heart and satisfies the soul. It’s a perfect blend of comfort food classics, combining the familiar satisfaction of a grilled cheese with the exciting flavors of barbecue. It’s a fun and easy way to use up leftover chicken, transforming it into something new and exciting. It’s a meal that’s both nostalgic and innovative, reminding you of childhood grilled cheese sandwiches while introducing you to a whole new world of flavor possibilities. It’s a testament to the fact that simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create culinary magic. It’s a reminder that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating; it can be fun, creative, and incredibly rewarding.