Alabama BBQ Chicken Chopped Sandwich (Printable Version)
Tender smoked chicken in tangy white BBQ sauce on toasted buns with crisp slaw.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6–8 minutes per side, or roast on a lined baking sheet for 20–25 minutes, until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Let rest 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 Suggestions:
01 -
- The white sauce strikes this incredible balance between tangy vinegar, creamy mayo, and just enough heat to keep you coming back.
- Chopping the chicken means every single bite gets coated in sauce, no dry spots or plain patches.
- Crisp slaw cuts through the richness like a bright, crunchy counterpoint.
02 -
- Alabama white sauce gets even better after a few hours in the fridge, so make it ahead if you can.
- Do not skip toasting the buns, they will fall apart under all that juicy chicken.
- Let the chicken rest before chopping, otherwise all those juices end up on the cutting board instead of in the sandwich.
03 -
- Room temperature sauce spreads and coats much better than cold from the fridge.
- A light spray of oil on the grill prevents the spice rub from sticking to the grates instead of the chicken.