If you’re craving something savory, a little sweet, and absolutely satisfying, these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are about to become your new obsession. Juicy, seasoned chicken thighs get slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce and piled high with creamy, crunchy ranch slaw—tucked into soft buns for the ultimate hand-held comfort meal. This is the kind of sandwich you’ll want to make again and again, any night of the week!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Ready in under 30 minutes: You can get these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches on the table even on your busiest weeknight.
- Mouthwatering flavor combo: Smoky-spiced chicken, tangy-sweet BBQ sauce, and a crunchy ranch slaw—each bite is ridiculously delicious.
- Minimal ingredients, maximum payoff: With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll have a meal that tastes like you fussed for hours.
- Customizable for everyone: Swap the slaw, play with your BBQ sauce, or use your favorite buns—this recipe is endlessly adaptable to your taste.
Ingredients & Substitutions
One of the best things about these sandwiches is their simplicity—every ingredient plays an important role in delivering flavor, texture, or that signature BBQ-vibe. Don’t be afraid to tweak the components to suit what you have on hand; this recipe is made for home cooks!
- Smoked Paprika: Adds deep smokiness and lovely color to the chicken—regular paprika works in a pinch, but smoked is worth it.
- Garlic Powder: For mellow, savory depth that underscores the BBQ flavors.
- Salt & Pepper: Enhances all the other seasonings—just a little goes a long way.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful, they’re perfect for sandwiches; breasts can be used, but thighs stay extra tender.
- Cooking Oil: Helps brown the chicken and keeps it moist; any neutral oil will do.
- BBQ Sauce: Go with your favorite store-bought or homemade—sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy, it’s totally up to you!
- Coleslaw Mix: Shredded cabbage and carrots bring fresh crunch; you can shred your own if the bagged mix isn’t available.
- Green Onions: Just a little sharpness and color for the ranch slaw—it makes everything pop.
- Ranch Dressing: The creamy magic binding the slaw together, and a classic partner for BBQ chicken.
- Buns: Soft, pillowy buns like brioche or potato work wonderfully, but any sandwich roll you love will do the trick.
How to Make Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by mixing together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Trim your chicken thighs and cut any large ones in half, so you have four even pieces—it’s the perfect size for those sandwich buns. Generously season both sides of each chicken thigh with the savory spice blend, gently pressing it in for extra flavor.
Step 2: Sear and Cook the Chicken
Heat your preferred cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmery. Add the chicken and let it cook undisturbed for 5–7 minutes per side—this gets you beautifully browned, juicy chicken. Make sure each piece is cooked through—the juices should run clear and the meat should be tender.
Step 3: Brush with BBQ Sauce
Take the skillet off the heat and, while the chicken is still hot, brush both sides with your favorite BBQ sauce. The warmth makes the sauce cling and caramelize a bit, coating each piece in sweet, smoky goodness—that’s what takes these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches over the top!
Step 4: Mix Up the Ranch Slaw
In a bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix, thinly sliced green onions, and ranch dressing until everything is evenly coated. This is your cool, creamy counterpoint to all that BBQ flavor—don’t skip it!
Step 5: Assemble the Sandwiches
Take your buns and layer on one piece of BBQ chicken, then top with a generous heap of that ranch slaw. Pop the top bun on, and—boom!—your Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are ready to devour. Serve immediately for the juiciest, crunchiest experience.
How to Serve Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Garnishes
Scatter a few extra sliced green onions or chopped fresh parsley over the slaw for a burst of freshness and color. If you love a little heat, a sprinkle of pickled jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce on top adds an exciting kick and a pop of green.
Side Dishes
These Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches play so well with classic sides: think crisp potato chips, sweet corn on the cob, simple baked beans, or a scoop of potato salad. If you’ve got extra slaw, serve a little on the side—it’s cool, crunchy, and balances the rich chicken perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these sandwiches into sliders for parties, or serve open-faced on toasted garlic bread for a twist. You could even wrap the whole thing in parchment for a cute, picnic-style vibe—these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are just as fun to serve as they are to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken and slaw separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps everything fresh and prevents your buns from getting soggy so every sandwich tastes freshly made.
Freezing
If you’d like to prep ahead, cooked and sauced chicken freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely, wrap tightly, and stash in a freezer bag or container—just make the slaw fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave until hot, adding a splash of water if it looks dry. This brings back that juicy, saucy goodness—then just build your Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches fresh with slaw and buns.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches?
Yes! You can definitely use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs—the cooking time may be a little shorter, and breasts can be less juicy than thighs, so keep an eye out and don’t overcook. Tenderizing the breasts or slicing them to a uniform thickness helps ensure they stay moist.
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What’s the best type of BBQ sauce to use?
Honestly, use whatever you love! Sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy BBQ sauces all pair well in these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Store-bought works great, but homemade is delicious too—mix it up based on your mood or your guests’ tastes.
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Can I make the ranch slaw in advance?
Absolutely! The slaw can be made several hours ahead—just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches. If making the day before, hold back a bit of the dressing and toss it in right before serving for maximum crunch.
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How can I make these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches gluten free?
It’s very simple—just use your favorite gluten-free buns, and double-check that your BBQ sauce and ranch dressing are gluten-free (most are, but it never hurts to take a look at the labels!).
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about piling together smoky chicken and tangy slaw in a pillowy bun—and these Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are proof that simple, homestyle cooking can taste absolutely incredible. I hope you give them a try soon and share them with the people you love. Happy cooking!
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Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
These Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender, seasoned chicken thighs are paired with tangy BBQ sauce and creamy ranch coleslaw, all sandwiched between soft buns.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
For the Ranch Slaw:
- 7 oz. coleslaw mix
- 2 green onions
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
For Serving:
- 4 buns
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cut chicken thighs to sandwich size, season with spice mix.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet, cook seasoned chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.
- Finish the Chicken: Brush BBQ sauce on both sides of cooked chicken.
- Make the Ranch Slaw: Combine coleslaw mix, green onions, and ranch dressing in a bowl.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Place BBQ chicken on buns, top with ranch slaw, and serve.
Notes
- You can use any BBQ sauce of your choice for this recipe.
- The coleslaw mix is a pre-shredded cabbage and carrot blend.
