Alabama BBQ Chicken Chopped Sandwich (Printable)
Smoky chopped chicken with tangy white BBQ sauce and crisp slaw on toasted bun
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Alabama White BBQ Sauce
08 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
12 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
17 - Salt to taste
→ Sandwich Assembly
18 - 4 sandwich buns, split and toasted
19 - 2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
20 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
21 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
22 - Salt and pepper to taste
23 - Pickles for garnish (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat your grill or oven to 400°F.
02 - Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or roast on a lined baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before chopping.
04 - Combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, prepared horseradish, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
05 - In a separate bowl, mix shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with half of the Alabama white BBQ sauce until thoroughly coated.
07 - Pile the sauced chopped chicken generously onto each toasted bun. Top with a heap of slaw. Drizzle additional white BBQ sauce over the top if desired and add pickles for extra tang.
08 - Serve the sandwiches warm while the chicken is still juicy and the slaw remains crisp.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The white sauce creates this incredible tangy creaminess that balances perfectly with smoky chicken
- Everything gets piled onto one bun so you get all the textures and flavors in every single bite
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes before chopping is nonnegotiable or all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your sandwich
- The white sauce tastes better after it sits for at least 30 minutes so make it first if you have time
03 -
- If the white sauce seems too thick at first add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches pouring consistency
- Warm your sauce slightly before drizzling so it melts into the chicken beautifully