Get ready to transform your lunch or dinner with this incredible BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese recipe, a delicious and surprisingly easy way to combine smoky, savory flavors with cheesy, toasted perfection that’s guaranteed to satisfy. This recipe is your shortcut to an elevated comfort food classic, perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend treat.
Key Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
- 4 slices of your favorite bread (sourdough, brioche, or challah work exceptionally well)
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut!)
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup caramelized onions (optional, but highly recommended for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley, for garnish (optional)
How to Make BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese is a flavor explosion that’s incredibly easy to assemble and cook in under 20 minutes, proving that gourmet taste doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The combination of tender, saucy chicken and perfectly melted cheese stuffed between golden-brown bread makes for a truly satisfying bite, offering a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the BBQ Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with the BBQ sauce. Stir well until the chicken is thoroughly coated. If using, gently fold in the caramelized onions. Set aside.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out your four slices of bread on a clean work surface.
- Layer the Cheese: Evenly distribute half of the shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses onto two of the bread slices. This will form the bottom layer of your grilled cheese, ensuring maximum cheesy goodness melts into the bread.
- Add the BBQ Chicken Filling: Spoon the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the cheese on these two slices. Don’t overstuff, but ensure a generous, even layer for the best flavor.
- Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses over the BBQ chicken filling. This layer of cheese will help bind the sandwich together and create that irresistible gooey pull.
- Complete the Sandwiches: Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the cheese-covered filling, creating two complete sandwiches.
- Butter the Bread: Generously spread the softened butter on the outside of each slice of bread, ensuring even coverage. This is crucial for achieving that perfectly golden and crispy exterior.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Carefully place the prepared sandwiches onto the hot skillet.
- Cook to Golden Perfection: Grill each side of the sandwiches for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. You may need to adjust the heat to prevent burning if the bread is browning too quickly. Press down gently with a spatula occasionally to ensure even cooking and melting.
- Serve Hot: Once perfectly grilled, remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Let them rest for just a minute before slicing them in half diagonally. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
You’ll absolutely fall in love with this BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese for its incredible savory-sweet flavor profile that’s a step above your average grilled cheese. The tender, smoky chicken infused with your favorite BBQ sauce, paired with gooey, melted cheese, creates a delightful contrast to the classic tomato soup and grilled cheese pairing, offering a more robust and satisfying experience. Not only is this a culinary delight, but it’s also a fantastic way to save money by transforming leftover cooked chicken into a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. Imagine the joy of biting into a perfectly toasted sandwich, bursting with layers of flavor, all for a fraction of the cost of dining out!
The fusion of smoky, tangy BBQ chicken with ultra-melty cheese is utterly irresistible, making it a perfect quick lunch or a satisfying dinner option. This isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a comforting hug in food form, offering textural delight with every bite. So, don’t wait! Give this extraordinary BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese a try and discover your new favorite comfort food.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftover BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best quality and to prevent the bread from becoming soggy, it’s ideal to store the sandwiches whole or separated.
To reheat, the best method is on the stovetop. Place the sandwich in a non-stick skillet over medium to medium-low heat and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is re-melted. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Microwaving is not recommended as it tends to make the bread soft and chewy. If you wish to freeze prepared sandwiches for future enjoyment, assemble them as instructed but do not butter the outside. Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as directed for fresh preparation.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese is an absolute winner, offering a perfect blend of smoky, savory, and cheesy goodness. It’s a simple yet spectacular dish that’s bursting with flavor, so be sure to give it a try at home for a culinary adventure you won’t regret!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with the BBQ sauce. Stir well until the chicken is thoroughly coated. If using, gently fold in the caramelized onions. Set aside.1 cup cooked shredded chicken, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup caramelized onions
- Lay out your four slices of bread on a clean work surface.4 slices your favorite bread
- Evenly distribute half of the shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses onto two of the bread slices. This will form the bottom layer of your grilled cheese, ensuring maximum cheesy goodness melts into the bread.4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, 4 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese, 4 slices your favorite bread
- Spoon the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the cheese on these two slices. Don’t overstuff, but ensure a generous, even layer for the best flavor.1 cup cooked shredded chicken, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup caramelized onions, 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, 4 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese
- Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses over the BBQ chicken filling. This layer of cheese will help bind the sandwich together and create that irresistible gooey pull.4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, 4 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese, 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup caramelized onions
- Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the cheese-covered filling, creating two complete sandwiches.4 slices your favorite bread
- Generously spread the softened butter on the outside of each slice of bread, ensuring even coverage. This is crucial for achieving that perfectly golden and crispy exterior.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 slices your favorite bread
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Carefully place the prepared sandwiches onto the hot skillet.
- Grill each side of the sandwiches for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. You may need to adjust the heat to prevent burning if the bread is browning too quickly. Press down gently with a spatula occasionally to ensure even cooking and melting.
- Once perfectly grilled, remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Let them rest for just a minute before slicing them in half diagonally. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired, and serve immediately.1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley