BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe

Introduction

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese is a delicious upgrade to the classic sandwich, combining smoky, tangy BBQ chicken with creamy melted Havarti and garlicky toasted sourdough. This hearty and flavorful meal is perfect for lunch or a cozy dinner, offering a satisfying blend of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2½ cups shredded roasted chicken
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
• 12 slices sourdough bread or other sturdy white bread
• 12 slices Havarti cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the garlic butter by microwaving the butter, minced garlic, and parsley in a small bowl until melted. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the sliced red onion for about 2 minutes until soft, then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
3. Step 3: Stir in the shredded chicken, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce. Heat the mixture through for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Lay out 12 slices of bread. Spread garlic butter on one side of each slice, then flip so the buttered sides face down.
5. Step 5: On six slices, layer one slice of Havarti cheese, an equal portion of the BBQ chicken mixture, another slice of cheese, and top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
6. Step 6: Place the sandwiches in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the bottom is browned.
7. Step 7: Flip the sandwiches, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook another 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
8. Step 8: Remove from skillet, let rest for a minute, then slice diagonally and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use softened butter to spread evenly and prevent the bread from burning during grilling.
• For a smoky twist, try chipotle BBQ sauce instead of your regular BBQ sauce.
• Substitute Havarti with sharp white cheddar or smoked gouda for a more intense cheese flavor.
• Swap sourdough with rustic white bread, brioche, or ciabatta for different textures.
• Add sliced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
• Vegetarian option: replace chicken with BBQ jackfruit or sautéed portobello mushrooms.

Storage

Store leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in a toaster oven to preserve the crispy bread and melted cheese. Avoid microwaving, which may make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, leftover rotisserie chicken works perfectly and makes preparation quick and easy.

What if I don’t have Havarti cheese?

You can substitute Havarti with semi-soft cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a combination of cheddar and gouda for a similar melty texture and flavor balance.

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 112 reviews

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese sandwich elevates the classic comfort food with a hearty, flavorful filling of smoky-sweet BBQ chicken and creamy Havarti cheese, all nestled between garlic butter-toasted sourdough bread. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or easy weeknight dinner, this easy-to-make recipe combines layers of textures and rich flavors for a memorable meal.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 sandwiches 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the BBQ Chicken Filling:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2½ cups shredded roasted chicken
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

For the Garlic Butter Bread:

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
• 12 slices sourdough bread or other sturdy white bread
• 12 slices Havarti cheese

Instructions

1. Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, microwave the butter, minced garlic, and parsley until the butter is melted and the ingredients are combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Chicken Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red onion and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in the shredded roasted chicken, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through and well combined.
3. Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out 12 slices of bread. Spread the garlic butter on one side of each slice. Flip so that the buttered sides face down. On 6 of the slices, layer one slice of Havarti cheese, then equal portions of the BBQ chicken mixture, followed by another slice of Havarti cheese. Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outwards.
4. Grill the Sandwiches: Place the assembled sandwiches in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the bottom slice is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the sandwiches, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for another 3–5 minutes until the other side is toasted and the cheese has melted completely.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let rest for a minute to allow the cheese to settle. Cut each sandwich diagonally and serve warm.

Notes

• Use softened butter for easy spreading and even toasting.
• Cook on medium or medium-low heat to prevent burning the bread before the cheese melts.
• Press lightly with a spatula while grilling to ensure even browning and melting.
• Let sandwiches rest briefly before slicing to maintain layered integrity.
• Sourdough bread works best for its structure and tangy flavor, but rustic white, brioche, or ciabatta are good alternatives.
• Customize with additional cheeses like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda for more flavor depth.
• Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick or substitute BBQ jackfruit for a vegetarian option.

Keywords: BBQ chicken grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, BBQ chicken sandwich, Havarti cheese sandwich, easy lunch recipe, comfort food sandwich, garlic butter bread sandwich