BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich
Neena BrostowskiA Sweet, Savoury, and Tangy Sandwich That's Easy to Love!
When you're craving something hearty, delicious, and easy to whip up, this BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich hits all the right notes! Using convenient shredded rotisserie chicken from Costco and the sweet crunch of Honeycrisp apples (one of my absolute favourites!), this sandwich is elevated by tangy barbecue sauce, sautéed onions, and a dash of optional hot sauce for a little kick.
Perfect for a quick family dinner or meal prep, this sandwich pairs beautifully with fresh cucumber slices, adding a crisp, refreshing bite that perfectly balances the warm, flavourful chicken.
Ingredients:
- Half of a Costco rotisserie chicken, meat shredded
- 1 small-medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 Honeycrisp apple (or your preferred variety), thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (I used Bull's-Eye Bold Original BBQ Sauce)
- Frank's Red Hot Sauce (optional, to taste)
- Sandwich buns (your choice, I used classic hamburger buns)
- Ghee or butter (for brushing buns)
- A sprinkle of milled sea salt (optional)
- Natrel Lactose Free Aged Cheddar, grated (or your favourite cheese)
- Fresh spinach leaves
- Sliced cucumbers (for serving on the side)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Shred half of your Costco rotisserie chicken and set aside.
- Halve and thinly slice the red onion.
- Thinly slice the Honeycrisp apple.
2. Sauté the Onions & Apples:
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add olive oil.
- Add sliced onions and sauté for about 4–6 minutes until they become soft, tender, and slightly translucent.
- Add the sliced apples and continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes until they are softened slightly.
3. Combine Chicken & BBQ Sauce:
- Add the shredded chicken to the pan, stirring until heated through.
- Pour in about ½ cup of BBQ sauce (adjust depending on your preference).
- If you enjoy a little kick, add a dash of Frank's Red Hot Sauce now.
- Stir until thoroughly combined and cook until the mixture is nicely heated through and the apples have softened further.
4. Toast the Buns:
- Heat buns in the air fryer at 320ºF for about 3 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Brush the warm buns lightly with ghee or butter, and sprinkle with a tiny pinch of milled sea salt.
5. Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Use a #12 scoop (2.7 oz) or a generous spoonful to portion the chicken mixture onto each bottom bun.
- Sprinkle with Natrel Lactose Free Aged Cheddar (or your favourite cheese).
- Place back into the air fryer briefly to melt the cheese, about 1–2 minutes.
- Remove, top with fresh spinach leaves, and finish by placing the top bun.
6. Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve immediately alongside crisp cucumber slices for a refreshing crunch!
Why You'll Love This Sandwich:
- Easy & Quick: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes this meal super quick.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavours: Sweet apples, smoky BBQ sauce, tangy hot sauce, and creamy cheddar cheese create a delightful balance.
- Versatile: Easy to adjust the spiciness or sweetness to suit your tastes.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe makes 6–8 servings, ideal for feeding a group or meal prepping.
Give this BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich a try for your next easy dinner or casual gathering. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser (Dalwinder ate 3)!
With love from my kitchen to yours,
—Neena