If you’ve never sunk your teeth into a BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese, get ready for your new favorite comfort food obsession. This sandwich fuses smoky barbecue chicken, ooey-gooey sharp cheddar, zesty red onions, and (if you dare) spicy pickled jalapeños — all tucked between buttery, golden-griddled sourdough. It’s fast, filling, and absolutely bursting with bold flavors, making it the perfect way to jazz up any lunch or dinner. Trust me, this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese isn’t just a sandwich; it’s an experience.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these straightforward ingredients to build a sandwich you’ll want on repeat. Each element in this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese brings its own magic, from melty cheese to smoky, saucy chicken and that satisfying crunch of good bread.

Sourdough or Thick Sandwich Bread: Sturdy enough to hold up to all that cheesy, saucy goodness, plus it toasts up beautifully golden and crisp.
Cooked Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my ultimate cheat here — it’s juicy, tender, and soaks up all the barbecue flavor effortlessly.
Barbecue Sauce: The smoky, slightly sweet backbone of this sandwich; choose your favorite for a custom flavor profile.
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Melty, bold, and creamy, sharp cheddar balances the tangy BBQ sauce and ties everything together.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a crisp, punchy bite and gorgeous color contrast — plus, it adds a hint of crunch.
Butter: For spreading on the bread and achieving that irresistible crispy, golden grill.
Pickled Jalapeños (Optional): If you love a little heat, these add a tangy, spicy kick that plays so well with the creamy cheese and BBQ sauce.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

Step 1: Toss the Chicken in Barbecue Sauce

Grab a small bowl and toss the cooked shredded chicken with the barbecue sauce. You want every strand coated and glossy because this is where the sandwich gets its signature smoky-sweet kick. This quick marinade infuses each bite with maximum flavor, and it’s especially handy if you’re starting with plain leftover chicken.

Step 2: Prep the Bread

Lay out your four slices of bread. Spread a generous layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. Don’t be shy — this is what gives the BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese its irresistibly crisp, golden exterior. The butter also helps the bread toast evenly in the skillet for that perfect crunch.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches

Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, onto your skillet or griddle. Start with a good handful of shredded sharp cheddar (about half), then evenly pile on the barbecue chicken. Scatter the thinly sliced red onions and, if you’re feeling bold, a few pickled jalapeños. Top with the rest of the cheddar, then close each with the remaining bread, buttered side up. The cheese on both sides will melt into the chicken for a doubly gooey effect.

Step 4: Grill the Sandwiches

Heat your skillet over medium. Once hot, add the assembled sandwiches. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula until the bread is golden brown and crisp and the cheese is completely melted. If you’re working in batches, keep the finished sandwiches warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Lift the BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese off the skillet, let it rest just a moment to avoid scorching your mouth, then slice it straight down the middle (or diagonally for those classic café vibes). Serve piping hot so the cheese stretches and the barbecue aroma fills the air!

How to Serve BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley adds color and freshness to your BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese. For extra punch, serve with more pickled jalapeños on the side, or a quick drizzle of extra barbecue sauce for dipping. If you love that smoky sweetness, a shake of smoked paprika or black pepper over the top is a welcome touch.

Side Dishes

This sandwich is hearty enough to stand alone, but it’s even better paired with crisp coleslaw, a cup of tomato soup, or crunchy kettle chips. A tangy cucumber salad or sweet potato fries are also winning sides, balancing out the richness of your BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the sandwiches into quarters and spearing them with skewers for party-friendly BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese bites. Serve on a wooden board with ramekins of barbecue sauce, ranch dip, or spicy mustard. For a bistro-style touch, wrap each half in parchment and stack in a basket lined with a gingham napkin — totally irresistible!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftover BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese (yes, miracles happen), let it cool completely before wrapping tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to two days. For the best texture, keep the filling and bread from getting soggy by wrapping each sandwich individually.

Freezing

You can freeze these grilled cheese sandwiches! After cooling, wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about one month. To keep the bread from getting too soft, consider reheating straight from frozen in a toaster oven or oven rather than microwaving.

Reheating

To bring a leftover BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese back to life, reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp again. If reheating from frozen, place the unwrapped sandwich on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until hot and melty.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course

Absolutely! Sourdough is classic, but any sturdy bread — like rustic Italian or even a thick country white — will work beautifully. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the gooey filling without falling apart.

What barbecue sauce is best for this recipe?

Use what you love! A sweeter Kansas City-style sauce gives a classic, crowd-pleasing flavor, while a smoky or spicy barbecue sauce adds a personal twist. If you want heat, try a chipotle or spicy variety — the cheese will mellow any sharp edges.

Can I make BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese ahead of time for a party?

You sure can. Assemble the sandwiches and store them wrapped in the refrigerator for several hours before grilling. When guests arrive, just grill fresh so they’re hot, crisp, and the cheese is perfectly melted.

What’s the best cheese substitute if I don’t have sharp cheddar?

If sharp cheddar isn’t on hand, Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda, or even mozzarella will work. Feel free to mix and match cheeses for your own spin — just aim for something with good meltability.

Is there a way to make this sandwich less spicy?

Simply skip the pickled jalapeños, or use a milder barbecue sauce. You can also add a slice of tomato for a cooling, juicy contrast to the rich barbecue filling.

Final Thoughts

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese is so much more than a quick meal; it brings together the smoky, cheesy, crunchy, tangy, and sweet in every bite. I hope you’ll fire up your skillet and give this sandwich a whirl — I promise it’s a crave-worthy twist on a nostalgic classic. Enjoy every melty, messy, flavor-packed bite!

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese sandwich. Loaded with tender shredded chicken coated in tangy barbecue sauce, melted sharp cheddar cheese, and a kick of red onion, all grilled between two buttery slices of sourdough bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread:

4 slices sourdough or thick sandwich bread

BBQ Chicken:

1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/3 cup barbecue sauce

Cheese:

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Additions:

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter, softened
pickled jalapeños (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

Prepare BBQ Chicken: In a small bowl, toss the shredded chicken with barbecue sauce until evenly coated.
Assemble Sandwich: Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, buttered side down, on a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Layer with half the cheddar cheese, BBQ chicken, red onion, and optional jalapeños. Top with remaining cheese and close with the other bread slices, buttered side up.
Grill Sandwich: Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden and the cheese is fully melted. Slice and serve hot.