Alabama BBQ Chicken Chopped Sandwich (Printable version)
Smoky chicken meets creamy white barbecue sauce in this hearty Southern sandwich, topped with crisp cabbage slaw and served on warm toasted buns for ultimate comfort.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Alabama White BBQ Sauce
08 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 1 tbsp prepared horseradish
12 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 tsp sugar
14 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
15 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
16 - 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp mayonnaise
21 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
22 - Salt and pepper to taste
23 - Pickles for garnish (optional)
# Directions:
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 black pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or roast on a lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes.
04 - Mix all Alabama white BBQ sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Set aside.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to make a quick slaw.
06 - Chop the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with half of the Alabama white sauce.
07 - Pile chopped BBQ chicken on each toasted bun. Top generously with slaw. Drizzle additional Alabama white sauce if desired. Add pickles for extra tang.
08 - Serve immediately while warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The white sauce creates an incredibly moist coating that keeps every bite of chicken juicy
- Cool slaw and tangy sauce balance each other perfectly, so no single flavor overpowers your palate
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before chopping prevents all those precious juices from running out onto your cutting board
- The white sauce needs at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator for the flavors to truly meld together
03 -
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the entire sandwich
- Pickles add a crucial acid punch that cuts through the creamy elements