Description
Succulent BBQ chicken sandwiches pack bold flavors between perfectly toasted buns, promising a mouthwatering meal. Crisp coleslaw and tangy sauce elevate this classic sandwich, ensuring you’ll savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lb (pounds) boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
- 1 to 1.5 cups Hank’s Kansas City BBQ sauce or store-bought
- 1.5 cups mayonnaise
- 8 hamburger buns
- ½ green cabbage, thinly shredded (about 4 cups)
- 2 medium carrots, grated (about 1 cup)
- 2 tbsps (tablespoons) olive oil
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice
- ¼ cup dill pickles, chopped
- Juice from ½ lime
- ½ tsp (teaspoon) kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 to 3 grilled serrano peppers, seeds removed
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Coleslaw Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, pickle juice, and sugar until smooth, then fold in shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and chopped pickles. Taste and season accordingly, then refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
- Chicken Preparation: Butterfly chicken breasts, maintaining one connected edge. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, reserving barbecue sauce for glazing.
- Grilling Process: Preheat grill to medium-high (375-400°F/190-204°C). Place chicken on grates, immediately brushing with barbecue sauce. Grill 5-6 minutes per side, rotating and applying additional sauce, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional Pepper Char: Simultaneously grill serrano peppers for 2-3 minutes per side until charred, allowing them to cool briefly after removal.
- Resting and Assembly: Let chicken rest 3-4 minutes to redistribute juices. Slice or chop as desired. Build sandwiches by layering grilled chicken on toasted buns, topping with prepared coleslaw and optional charred serrano peppers for a spicy kick.
Notes
- Meat Temperature Check: Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption and optimal juiciness.
- Butterfly Technique: Slice chicken breasts horizontally with a sharp knife, maintaining one connected edge for even cooking and preventing dry edges.
- Sauce Application Strategy: Brush barbecue sauce gradually during grilling to prevent burning and create delicious caramelized layers of flavor.
- Resting Matters: Allow grilled chicken to rest 3-4 minutes after cooking, which helps redistribute internal juices and keeps meat tender and succulent.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg