These cheesy BBQ chicken sandwiches are a HUGE hit in my house! They're sweet, tangy, a little spicy, and loaded with melty cheese in every bite. If you liked my Mega Murphwich, you'll 100% love this one too.
Even better, they're simple to make, budget friendly, and ready in about 20 minutes. This is the perfect dinner for those hectic nights when you don't know what to cook. Throw some fries or tots in the oven while the chicken cooks and dinner is done!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
It's ready in about 20 minutes.
The homemade sauce is sweet, tangy, and easy to adjust from mild to spicy.
Everything comes together in one skillet.
The cheese melts directly into the sauce, coating every piece of chicken.
It's an easy family dinner that doesn't require a long list of expensive ingredients.
What Kind of Bun Is Best?
You can use any hamburger bun you like, but the softer and squishier the better, in my opinion. I especially like soft potato buns because they're sturdy enough to hold the saucy chicken but still have a slightly sweet flavor.
This homemade BBQ sauce gets extra depth from rice vinegar, mirin, and coconut palm sugar. The rice vinegar adds tang, the mirin brings a mild sweetness, and the coconut palm sugar gives the sauce a deeper caramel flavor.
These are ingredients I always keep in the cabinet because they're useful in all kinds of recipes. You can see the brands I use below or read more in 5 Uncommon Must Have Ingredients for Your Kitchen.
Tips for the Best Cheesy BBQ Chicken Sandwich
If you're serving fries or tots, start preheating the oven before you begin the chicken.
Slice the chicken thinly and across the grain so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
Start with 1 tablespoon of sriracha for moderate heat. Use the full 2 tablespoons if you like it spicier.
Keep the sauce moving once it goes into the hot skillet. The sugar can scorch if it sits too long.
Turn off the burner before adding the cheese. The residual heat will melt it without making the sauce greasy.
Read through the entire recipe before starting so the sauce and other ingredients are ready when you need them.
What to Serve With It
French fries, waffle fries, sweet potato fries, and tater tots are all easy choices. For a larger comfort food dinner, these sandwiches would also go well with Sweet and Fluffy Buttermilk Cornbread.
Watch the Cheesy BBQ Chicken Sandwich Video
Want to see how quickly it comes together? Watch the recipe video on Instagram.
Thin sliced chicken is coated in a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy homemade BBQ sauce, finished with melty cheese, and piled onto soft buns, all in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Mega Murphwich Sauce
3/4Cup Heinz Ketchup (There is NO OTHER Ketchup!)
3TBS Coconut Palm Sugar (Light Brown Sugar is Fine as Well)
1 to 2TBS Huy Fong Siracha Sauce (Any Brand Will Do Though)
3TBS Real Maple Syrup (You Can Use the Fake Stuff if it's All You Have)
2TBS Soy Sauce
1Tsp Rice Vinegar
1Tsp Mirin Wine
1/2Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2Tsp Pepper
1/4Tsp Oregano
Other Ingredients
1Lb Chicken Breast or Tenderloins
3/4Cup Shredded Mexican Cheese
4 Hamburger Rolls
2TBS Avocado Oil (Or Other High Smoke Point Oil)
Instructions
Prep Time!
1
Prepare the Chicken
Remove and discard any visible tendons. Slice the chicken across the grain into 1/8 inch thick strips and place it in a bowl. Drizzle with enough avocado oil to coat the chicken lightly.
2
Prepare the Sauce
Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Set the sauce aside.
3
Preheat the Skillet
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. If you're serving fries, tots, or another baked side, this is a good time to put them in the oven.
Cooking Instructions
4
Cook the Chicken
Add 2 tablespoons of high smoke point oil to the preheated skillet. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and almost cooked through.
Return all of the chicken to the skillet and add about 4 tablespoons of the sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce clings to the chicken and the thickest pieces reach 165°F (74°C) on an instant read thermometer.
Reduce the heat to medium low and add the remaining sauce. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce is hot and slightly thickened. Turn off the burner, immediately add the shredded cheese, and fold it into the chicken until fully melted and combined.
Serving Recommendations
5
Serve
Divide the cheesy BBQ chicken among four soft hamburger or potato buns. Serve immediately with fries, tots, cornbread, or your favorite side.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories512.84kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat17.69g28%
Saturated Fat5.4g27%
Cholesterol92.52mg31%
Sodium1497.84mg63%
Potassium683.23mg20%
Total Carbohydrate54.09g19%
Dietary Fiber1.13g5%
Sugars28.58g
Protein34.74g70%
Vitamin A 412.24 IU
Vitamin C 6.2 mg
Calcium 234.43 mg
Iron 2.5 mg
Vitamin D 0.22 mcg
Vitamin E 1.07 mg
Vitamin K 5.35 mcg
Thiamin 0.33 mg
Riboflavin 0.59 mg
Niacin 14.68 mg
Vitamin B6 0.99 mg
Folate 54.04 mcg
Vitamin B12 0.56 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 1.73 mg
Phosphorus 399.52 mg
Magnesium 58.43 mg
Zinc 1.85 mg
Selenium 51.64 mcg
Copper 0.14 mg
Manganese 0.74 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
