BBQ Chicken Sandwich Delight (Printable Version)

Smoky shredded chicken piled in soft buns with crisp cabbage-carrot slaw and tangy pickles.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or grilled and sliced (approximately 1.1 lbs)

→ Barbecue Sauce

02 - 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)

→ Sandwich

03 - 4 soft sandwich buns or brioche buns
04 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for toasting buns)

→ Slaw

05 - 1 cup shredded green cabbage
06 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
08 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

11 - Sliced pickles
12 - Red onion rings

# How-To Steps:

01 - If needed, grill or poach chicken breasts until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then shred with two forks.
02 - In a medium bowl, mix shredded or sliced chicken with barbecue sauce until fully coated.
03 - Combine cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl; stir until well mixed.
04 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and toast the buns cut side down for about 1 minute until golden.
05 - Layer barbecue chicken on the bottom bun, then add slaw, pickles, and red onion if desired, topping with the bun's other half.
06 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 30 minutes but tastes like someone's been tending a smoker all afternoon.
  • The slaw isn't just a garnish; it's the thing that makes you reach for another sandwich.
  • Works whether you're feeding four people or meal-prepping for the week.
02 -
  • Shredded chicken absorbs sauce so much better than sliced; it's the difference between good and truly memorable.
  • Don't skip toasting the buns unless you enjoy eating a sauce-soaked mess—that golden edge is your structural insurance.
  • Cold slaw on hot chicken creates a textural contrast that makes the whole sandwich sing.
03 -
  • A dash of hot sauce stirred into the barbecue sauce adds dimension without announcing itself.
  • If your buns feel dry, brush them lightly with butter before toasting rather than after—it gets better contact with the heat.
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