BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Introduction
The BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a flavorful twist on a classic comfort food. Combining tender shredded chicken with tangy BBQ sauce and melted Havarti cheese, this sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner. Crisp, buttery sourdough bread completes the irresistible combo.

Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups shredded roasted chicken
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 12 slices Havarti cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
- 12 slices sourdough bread or sturdy white bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the sliced onions until soft, about 2 minutes. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Step 2: Stir in the shredded chicken, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine butter, 2 cloves minced garlic, and minced parsley. Microwave until the butter is melted and the mixture is well blended.
- Step 4: Lay out all 12 slices of bread. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over one side of each slice.
- Step 5: Place 6 slices of bread buttered side down on a clean surface. Top each with a slice of Havarti cheese, then divide the BBQ chicken mixture evenly among them.
- Step 6: Add another slice of Havarti cheese over the chicken on each sandwich. Then place the remaining 6 slices of bread on top, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
- Step 7: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bottoms are golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Flip the sandwiches and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking until the other side is browned and the cheese has melted, about 3 to 5 minutes more.
- Step 9: Remove sandwiches from the skillet, let them cool slightly, then serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- Try adding sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Swap Havarti for cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different cheese profile.
- If you don’t have a large skillet, cook the sandwiches in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Storage
Store any leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a skillet over low heat until the cheese melts and the bread crisps up again. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain texture.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time while adding great flavor.
What if I don’t have sourdough bread?
You can use other sturdy breads like white sandwich bread or country-style bread, but choose breads that hold up well to grilling.
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BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a flavorful twist on the classic grilled cheese, featuring tender shredded roasted chicken tossed in a smoky BBQ sauce and combined with creamy Havarti cheese. The sandwich uses garlic buttered sourdough bread grilled to golden perfection, making it a satisfying and savory comfort food ideal for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
BBQ Chicken Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups shredded roasted chicken
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Garlic Butter Bread
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
- 12 slices sourdough bread or sturdy white bread
- 12 slices Havarti cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the BBQ Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red onion and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
- Cook the Chicken Mixture: Add 2 ½ cups shredded roasted chicken, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 cup BBQ sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine all ingredients and cook until heated through, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, combine ¼ cup butter, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 2 teaspoons minced parsley. Microwave the mixture just until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant.
- Butter the Bread: Lay out 12 slices of sourdough bread on a work surface. Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over one side of each slice.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Turn over the bread slices so the buttered side is down. Place 6 slices of bread on the surface and top each slice with one slice of Havarti cheese and an even portion of the BBQ chicken mixture. Add another slice of Havarti cheese on top of the chicken, then cover each sandwich with the remaining 6 slices of bread, buttered side facing out.
- Cook the Sandwiches: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet. Cook until the bottom side is browned and crispy, about 3-5 minutes. Flip the sandwiches, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the other side is browned and the cheese is melted.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread like sourdough to hold all the filling and prevent sogginess.
- For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- Substitute Havarti cheese with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred.
- Make sure to cook on medium to medium-low heat to allow the cheese to melt without burning the bread.
- Leftover sandwiches can be reheated in a skillet or oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: BBQ chicken grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, BBQ chicken sandwich, easy sandwich recipe, comfort food, Havarti cheese sandwich

