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BBQ Chicken Sandwiches feature tender bites of succulent shredded chicken topped with creamy coleslaw and served on a bun (gluten free, if needed). Low and slow flavor, easily made fast on the stovetop – no grill or smoker required!
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free option, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
If your family loves BBQ chicken as much as mine does, you’ll win the dinnertime lottery when you make my easy BBQ chicken sandwiches recipe! Super flavorful and cooked just in minutes on the stove, this is a great choice for a quick weeknight meal that can be rounded out with simple sides or even a handful of potato chips if you’re short on time.
- Flexible family meal. If your family has different diet needs, the only adjustment is to have a selection of regular and gluten free rolls, as needed.
- So fast. You’ll note the total prep and cook time for these sandwiches is just 10 minutes. That’s not a typo! I love how fast this recipe comes together, and I rely on it for weekend lunches or for nights when I don’t want to cook (but still need to make dinner). If you really have no time in the evening, you can always get some Crockpot BBQ Chicken in your slow cooker in the morning and prep the slaw in advance.
- Good use of leftovers. You can turn any chicken leftovers into the filling for these BBQ chicken sandwiches, or make it the day you plan to prepare the sandwiches. And, if you love turkey, this is a perfect way to use up any leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
- Flavorful. You’ll find all the flavors of BBQ chicken in each bite, but you won’t need to bother with a grill. The chicken and BBQ sauce will give that authentic from-the-grill flavor but it’s made easily on the stove.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make a BBQ chicken sandwich. Make sure to check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.
For the Coleslaw
- Coleslaw Mix: Instead of using pre-made coleslaw mix, you can mix 2 ½ cups of shredded cabbage with ½ cup of shredded carrots.
- Mayonnaise: If you don’t do mayo, you can substitute Greek yogurt for a similar creaminess plus a bit more tangy flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: A little sugar offsets the tanginess of the vinegar so it’s not too strong.
- White Vinegar: A good substitute for white vinegar is apple cider vinegar if needed.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best flavor, but bottled juice may also be used.
- Salt and Pepper
For the Sandwiches
- Red Onion: A combination of onion and garlic adds texture and savory flavor to the chicken.
- Oil: I use avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Garlic: Add more garlic if you like a lot of garlic.
- Chicken: You’ll need about 1 pound of cooked, shredded chicken.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite gluten free bbq sauce or make a batch of homemade sauce! My Honey BBQ Sauce is great in this recipe.
- Parsley
- Seasonings: Paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Buns: Use gluten free buns if needed.
- Lettuce: You can use any kind of lettuce or salad greens you like to finish off the sandwiches.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
In about 10 minutes you’ll have lunch or dinner ready to go! You can see how to make this recipe below -and find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Mix coleslaw. Add the coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- Toss. Use tongs to toss to coat everything evenly.
- Cook the onion. Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the onion until soft.
- Add garlic. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute more.
- Add remaining ingredients. Place the shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper in the skillet.
- Cook. Stir together until well mixed and until the chicken is heated through.
- Assemble. Top each bun bottom with lettuce.
- Add chicken. Divide the barbecue chicken between the buns.
- Top with coleslaw. Dollop coleslaw on top of the chicken.
- Finish. Top the sandwiches the bun tops and serve!
Tips for Sucess
I love a quick-prep meal, and this is one of my top easy favorites that’s very do-able for everyone!
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- Use rotisserie chicken. Making the bbq chicken filling with pre-cooked chicken will save you even more time, or you can save leftovers from the next time you make a roast chicken to fold into the filling.
- Make homemade rolls. Keep it easy and pick up a package of gluten free rolls or buns, or make them yourself! My Gluten Free Hamburger Buns are a great way to serve these sandwiches (may I suggest lightly toasting the buns before filling them? It makes a difference!).
- Turn them into sliders. Easily make bbq chicken sliders by popping the filling and coleslaw on small buns. I love making a batch of Gluten Free Hawaiian Rolls to use as the base for sliders, and they perfectly complement the sweet-savory bbq chicken mix.
- Try add-ins. You can dress up these bbq chicken sandwiches by adding tidbits like chopped jalapeno peppers, pickles, a drizzle of hot sauce, or piling the bun with avocado and tomato slices along with the lettuce.
Proper Storage
The chicken, coleslaw, and buns should be stored separately. If you have leftovers, place each component in a separate, airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reassemble the sandwiches with the leftovers when you are ready to eat them.
Make It A Meal
Turn your bbq chicken sandwich into the star of the meal with a few sides.
- Fries. A simple yet always welcome side to chicken sandwiches is a big plate of crisp fries! My Air Fryer French Fries are perfect served with a BBQ chicken sandwich. Or add a little more flavor and make Air Fryer Truffle Fries.
- Salad. Make a fresh salad to go with these hearty sandwiches. I love a Strawberry Spinach Salad or a Zoodles Greek Salad for a big helping of raw veggies.
- More gluten free BBQ sides. Round out your sandwiches with classic BBQ sides, like Gluten Free Stove Top Mac and Cheese, a different twist on coleslaw with a Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw, and Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
- Vegetables. When I serve BBQ chicken sandwiches for dinner, I like to add a simple vegetable side to round out our plates. Easy favorites include Buttery Peas and Carrots or Air Fryer Broccoli or Roasted Butternut Squash.
More Easy Sandwiches
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Coleslaw:
- 3 cups coleslaw mix, or 2 ½ cups shredded cabbage plus ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sandwiches:
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (from about 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 buns, gluten free if needed
- 2 large leafy lettuce leaves, torn
Instructions
- Make the coleslaw: Add the coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Toss to coat everything evenly and place in the refrigerator until needed.
- Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the minced garlic. Stir for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant.
- To the pan, add the shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir for 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
- Open the buns and top the bottom of each bun with the lettuce leaves. Divide the barbecue chicken between the buns and top with coleslaw, followed by the tops of the buns. Serve immediately.
Oh YUM!! I love BBQ chicken and this sandwich looks amazing!!
Thanks Bobbi!
Now I’m craving BBQ chicken. We probably haven’t had it since a summer grill out :(. And, the idea of a grilled cheese with this filling sounds fantastic!
I love barbecue – we have it at various times of year to satisfy the craving!
I could eat game day grub any day!
Me too!
I think the pictures still look appetizing! I would be all over these sloppy sandwiches. And I totally get the sending-the-hubby to the store conundrum. My husband is willing, which I am thankful for, but he’s not good at sticking to the list. We always end up with loads of junk food when he shops!
Perfect for a bunch of hungry folks! I’d down one in a snap
Haha we will forgive you about the lighting, I’m sure it was still amazing!!! PS it must have been nuts where you are in Jersey last night, oy!
How lucky for your family, Brianne, to have such a creative wife/daughter and mommy who can pull together healthy and palate-pleasing dinners in 60 minutes or less!
Yum! I think these look delicious! BBQ is always a favorite in our home. And what is it with husbands and grocery shopping? Mine calls me 10,000 times to read the labels of everything to make sure it’s right. Sounds great, but I usually ask him to pick up something because, hello, I’m busy. And if I’m getting 10,000 phone calls and listening to someone read labels it’s not really saving me a lot of time. And then once he came home without the main item I wanted anyway. Seems he left it on the conveyor belt at the store. LOL.
I’ve had the hubby text me photos of things to make sure he was getting the right thing.
Yummy! I love BBQ chicken sandwiches and this version looks amazing!
Great history, and the sloppy chicken look yummy.
These look awesome! You are absolutely right: you can never go wrong with barbecue sauce and chicken together! 🙂
Don’t forget the cheese! 🙂
BBQ chicken makes such great sandwiches. Wish I had one right now.
It definitely does!
My husband doesn’t eat wings because he says they are too much work for such a small bit of chicken. He would love this sandwich. All the flavor of the wings in a bun. Nice!
YUM! Even better than sloppy joe’s!!!!
I know, definjtely!!
You basically had me at barbecue; yummmm
Yeah, barbecue is always a good thing!
I have to remember, Game Day Grub! So totally describes the delicious dishes we love while watching the game and/or hanging with friends. Love that you used bbq chicken in your sloppy joes!
It is a perfect phrase! Thanks Betsy.
You make such delicious looking sandwiches and this is another one!!!
Thanks so much Tara!
I just love BBQ chicken and I love your sloppy joes! Yummy!!
Thanks Jennifer!
Hahaha Oh man..I kinda laughed but at the same time can’t relate because I have no kids..lol but the whole lighting, everyones here..need to hurry thing..I can relate to lol
Love these sandwiches!
Maybe the family will come to understand and accept the demands of the job someday 🙂
These look wonderful! Barbecue chicken in whatever form is really one of my favorite meals. Thanks for posting!
You can never go wrong with barbecue sauce and chicken together!
Brianne,
My hubby does the same thing! When I send him to the store to get one thing, he comes back with 7. And for whatever reason I think all husbands, who don’t usually grocery shop, all come back with the random crap! Mine comes back with whatever is on sale. And I don’t know what you’re talking about- I think your photos came out great! I love a good sloppy joe! and I feel you on the weather. . b/c I DO live in Wisconsin! Ah!! this winter is harsh!
These men! Such silliness! I could never survive in Wisconsin – props to you!