This is the ultimate Grilled BBQ chicken sandwich! I infused this grilled chicken sandwich with barbecue flavor in every bite with a smoky spice rub and tangy BBQ sauce. It’s juicy, tender, and so delicious. This is one of my favorite sandwiches to make in the summertime when the weather is warm and my grill is fired up!
Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
This isn’t your average BBQ chicken breast sandwich. My recipe is extra flavorful thanks to my BBQ spice rub made from chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, and salt and pepper. The chicken gets a great BBQ flavor straight from the grill that’s only enhanced by a drizzle of tangy BBQ sauce on top. If you love BBQ as much as I do, you have to make this sandwich. I use a grill pan when it’s cold or rainy outside, so I never miss a chance to make these!
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How to Store and Reheat
For best storage, store all components of BBQ chicken sandwiches separately. The BBQ chicken will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat the chicken in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or until 165°F internally, then assemble the sandwiches.
How to Freeze
Freeze BBQ chicken breasts on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours, then transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Notes and Tips
- If you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or mix 2 parts paprika to 1 part cumin to approximate the flavor.
- You can marinate your chicken breast overnight to ensure it stays moist while cooking.
- To bake the chicken, rub it all over with the spice mix, place in a 9×13-inch baking pan, brush all over with barbecue sauce, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until 165°F internally. Halfway through baking, flip the chicken breasts and baste with more barbecue sauce to keep them moist.
Top Reader Review
“I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! BBQ IS MY #1 FAVORITE!!!” -Rhonda Dutra
Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup barbecue sauce plus more for serving
For Serving:
- 4 burger buns
- 4 pieces lettuce
- 4 rings sliced red onion
- 8 slices sweet pickles
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil together.1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pat the chicken dry and rub all sides with the spice and oil mixture.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Heat a grill pan or barbecue on medium high heat until warm. Oil the pan or grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Grill the chicken until it has nice grill marks, about 3-5 minutes. Flip and baste with BBQ sauce. Cook until the second side has grill marks, another 2-3 minutes. Flip, baste with sauce and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, flipping and basting as needed.½ cup barbecue sauce
- Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.
- While the chicken is resting, grill the bottom side of the buns until golden, about 10-30 seconds.4 burger buns
- Assemble sandwiches with lettuce, red onions, pickles, and extra barbecue sauce.4 pieces lettuce, 4 rings sliced red onion, 8 slices sweet pickles
Notes
How to Make a Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwich Step by Step
Mix the Rub: In a small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil together.
Grill the Chicken: Pat 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts chicken dry and rub all sides with the spice and oil mixture. Heat a grill pan or barbecue on medium-high heat until warm. Oil the pan or grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking. Grill the chicken until it has nice grill marks, about 3-5 minutes. Flip and baste with ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Cook until the second side has grill marks, another 2-3 minutes. Flip, baste with sauce, and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, flipping and basting as needed. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.
Grill the Buns: While the chicken is resting, grill the bottom side of the 4 burger buns until golden, about 10-30 seconds.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Place 1 piece of lettuce, 1 ring of sliced red onion, 2 slices of sweet pickles, and extra BBQ sauce on each of the sandwiches.
I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! BBQ IS MY #1 FAVORITE!!!
Thanks, Rhonda! BBQ is definitely hard to beat.