Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect crispy exterior and juicy chicken inside. The golden, melty cheese and tangy BBQ sauce will make your family beg for more. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Cheesy Potato Skins with Bacon and Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs.
Why This Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with juicy chicken inside
- Tangy BBQ sauce and melted cheese in every bite
- Easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout and a family favorite
What You'll Need for Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 8 slices of bread
- 8 slices of cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Paprika (optional)
- Optional: Pickles
- Optional: Onions
- Optional: Lettuce
- Optional: Tomato
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Thinly slice for faster cooking and easier sandwich assembly.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat for perfect crispiness → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked safely → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Cook chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Brush with BBQ sauce and set aside.
- Assemble sandwiches: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Place a slice of cheese on four of the bread slices, followed by sliced chicken, another slice of cheese, and the remaining bread slices, butter side out.
- Cook sandwiches: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken. This can lead to steaming instead of searing, resulting in soggy chicken. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Pro tip: For a crispier exterior, use cold butter for spreading and cooking. This helps to create a barrier between the bread and the skillet, preventing the bread from absorbing too much heat and becoming soggy.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add some hot sauce to the BBQ sauce or sprinkle some red pepper flakes on the chicken before cooking.
- Pro tip: For a healthier version, use whole grain bread and add some lettuce and tomato to the sandwich.
Storing & Reheating Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The chicken can be cooked and brushed with BBQ sauce up to 2 days ahead. Assemble the sandwiches just before cooking.
Freezing Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Freeze uncooked sandwiches, separated by parchment paper, for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until heated through. Note that this may make the sandwiches soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use rotisserie chicken and skip the cooking step.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked pulled pork or sliced turkey for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: The chicken can be cooked and brushed with BBQ sauce up to 2 days ahead. Assemble the sandwiches just before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sandwiches are burning before the cheese is melted, reduce the heat or flip them more frequently.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality bread — Makes a big difference in the overall taste and texture of the sandwich → Check price on Amazon
Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 8 slices of bread
- 8 slices of cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Paprika (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Pickles
- Onions
- Lettuce
- Tomato
Instructions
- Cook chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Brush with BBQ sauce and set aside.
- Assemble sandwiches: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Place a slice of cheese on four of the bread slices, followed by sliced chicken, another slice of cheese, and the remaining bread slices, butter side out.
- Cook sandwiches: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use rotisserie chicken and skip the cooking step.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked pulled pork or sliced turkey for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: The chicken can be cooked and brushed with BBQ sauce up to 2 days ahead. Assemble the sandwiches just before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sandwiches are burning before the cheese is melted, reduce the heat or flip them more frequently.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked sandwiches, separated by parchment paper, for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until heated through. Note that this may make the sandwiches soggy.
- Make ahead: The chicken can be cooked and brushed with BBQ sauce up to 2 days ahead. Assemble the sandwiches just before cooking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 600
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches FAQs
Yes, you can cook the chicken and brush it with BBQ sauce up to 2 days ahead. Assemble the sandwiches just before cooking.
If the sandwiches are burning before the cheese is melted, reduce the heat or flip them more frequently.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked sandwiches, separated by parchment paper, for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
The best way to reheat these sandwiches is in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Reheating in the microwave may make them soggy.
Yes, you can use your favorite melting cheese, such as Gouda, Provolone, or Pepper Jack, for a different flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
