Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Craving BBQ, but don’t have a pit? These Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches only take about 30 minutes to make and cost only a couple of bucks a piece, making them a really fast, inexpensive, and tasty way to kill that BBQ craving. Keep this recipe in your back pocket because you’ll be pulling it out often for quick weeknight dinners!
“This meal is now a staple in our family. Easy and delicious. And the suggested side of baked sweet potato fries with the Creole seasoning are addictive!!!”
SIERRA
This recipe utilizes my Quick BBQ Chicken recipe, which I created as a sort of “à la carte” meat option for households who are trying to feed both meat-eaters and vegetarians. In addition to adding this super simple BBQ chicken to other recipes, it can also be used to make sandwiches and wraps, like this one! OR, you can choose to make this sandwich using my Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken. Both are great options!
I really like the combination of BBQ and ranch dressing, so I made a quick “ranch slaw” for this sandwich using bagged coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) and a thick ranch dressing as the dressing. If you’re not into ranch (many people aren’t), try my classic creamy coleslaw recipe instead. It also goes great with BBQ!
Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Cost $7.97 recipe / $1.99 serving
Ingredients
- 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp pepper ($0.02)
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs ($3.48)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce ($0.11*)
- 7 oz. coleslaw mix ($1.09**)
- 2 green onions (sliced, $0.20)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing ($0.37)
- 4 buns ($2.49)
Video
Instructions
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Combine the smoked paprika, garlic, powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Cut any large chicken thighs in half to make them more sandwich-sized (you’ll want four pieces total). Season both sides of the chicken thighs with the prepared spice mix.
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Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, swirl to coat the surface of the skillet. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken thighs are well browned and cooked through.
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Remove the chicken from the heat and brush BBQ sauce over both sides of each piece.
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Add the coleslaw mix, sliced green onions, and ranch dressing to a bowl. Stir until everything is combined and evenly coated in dressing.
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To build the sandwiches, place one piece of BBQ chicken on each bun and top with a heaping scoop of the ranch slaw. Serve immediately.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
**This is a bagged mix of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots. I used half of a 14oz. bag.
Nutrition Information
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!Looking for a vegetarian option? Try my BBQ Tofu Sliders.
How to Make Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Step-by-Step Photos
Make the spice mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Cut any large chicken thighs in half to make them more sandwich-sized. You’ll need about 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Season both sides of the chicken thighs with the prepared spices.
Cook the chicken: Heat 1 Tbsp cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, swirl the oil in the skillet to coat the surface, then add the seasoned thighs. Cook on each side for 5-7 minutes, or until they are well browned and cooked through.
Turn off the heat and brush BBQ sauce over both sides of the chicken pieces (about ¼ cup in total).
Make slaw: To make the ranch slaw, combine 7 oz. (half of a 14 oz. bag) of coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots), 2 sliced green onions, and ¼ cup ranch dressing.
Stir until everything is combined and coated in dressing.
Assemble sandwiches: To build the BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, place one piece of chicken on a bun and top with a heaping scoop of the ranch slaw.
Serve and enjoy!
Topping Ideas
I kept my BBQ sandwiches simple, because that’s how I roll, but if you like to get fancy, here are some other things you can add on top of your sandwich:
- Pickles
- French Fried Onions
- Cheddar cheese
- Fresh red onions
- Sliced avocado
- Bacon
- Pineapple slices
serving suggestions
I’m a big fan of sweet potatoes with BBQ, so I love spicy sweet potato fries as a side for these BBQ Sandwiches. Thick cut steak fries (and maybe some comeback sauce) would also be awesome on the side. Creamy potato salad is always a nice side to go along with tangy BBQ sauce, or if you’re looking for something a little more fresh and vibrant to lighten up the plate, try cowboy caviar! Or try my recent favorite, Loaded smashed potatoes!
How to Store
Store the bbq chicken in a separate airtight container for up to 4 days until ready to assemble the sandwich. You can also freeze the chicken for up to 3 months.
