Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
These Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches combine tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in a spicy buffalo wing sauce with a hint of honey, perfectly grilled and topped with melty cheese, fresh tomato slices, and a tangy, crunchy grinder slaw. Served on toasted brioche buns, this sandwich offers a flavorful twist on a classic buffalo chicken recipe, ideal for a satisfying and hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Sandwich Assembly
- 4 brioche buns
- 1 tomato, sliced
- Cheese slices (Havarti or Pepperjack), as desired
Grinder Slaw
- 4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 6 pepperoncini, sliced
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness with a meat tenderizer. If the breasts are large, cut them in half to ensure they cook evenly and quickly.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, buffalo wing sauce, and honey. Toss the chicken breasts in this marinade, making sure they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, to allow flavors to penetrate (you may marinate up to 48 hours for deeper flavor).
- Preheat and Prepare Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking and promote nice grill marks on the chicken.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on one side until grill marks develop. Flip the chicken and brush with additional buffalo wing sauce. Continue grilling for another 5 to 6 minutes until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. In the last minutes of grilling, add cheese slices on top to melt over the chicken.
- Make the Grinder Slaw: In a medium bowl, combine shredded iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced pepperoncini. In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, dried dill, garlic powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Pour the dressing over the lettuce mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast the brioche buns lightly on the grill until golden and slightly crispy. Layer each bun with grilled buffalo chicken topped with melted cheese, a generous portion of grinder slaw, and sliced tomatoes. Add mayo if desired before serving.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken longer for more intense buffalo flavor, but do not exceed 48 hours.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken on a stovetop grill pan or bake it in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Choose Havarti cheese for a milder melt, or Pepperjack cheese for a spicier kick.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level to your preference.
- Grinder slaw can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- For a dairy-free option, omit cheese and substitute mayonnaise with vegan mayo.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken sandwich, grilled chicken, buffalo sauce, spicy chicken sandwich, brioche bun, homemade slaw, summer grilling, easy chicken sandwich