BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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