Kansas City-Inspired BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Slaw
Juicy grilled BBQ chicken breasts topped with a tangy cabbage slaw, served on a soft bun for a flavorful Kansas City regional take on the classic sandwich. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, Kansas City-style BBQ sauce, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Kansas City-style BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 medium, grated carrot
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey
- 4 soft sandwich buns
- 1/2 cup sliced for topping pickles
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 2 tbsp olive oil and season each with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Grill chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear. During the last 3 minutes, brush generously with 1 cup Kansas City-style BBQ sauce to caramelize.
- Step 3: While chicken cooks, in a medium bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, and 1 grated medium carrot.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, and 1 tsp honey until smooth and pour over the cabbage mixture. Toss well to coat and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 5: Toast 4 soft sandwich buns lightly on the grill for 1-2 minutes.
- Step 6: Assemble sandwiches by placing a BBQ-glazed chicken breast on each bun bottom, topping with 1/4 cup prepared tangy slaw and a few pickle slices, then cover with the bun tops.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kansas City-Inspired BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Kansas City-Inspired BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Slaw?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep kansas city-style bbq sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Kansas City-Inspired BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Slaw?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Kansas City-Inspired BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Slaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Kansas City-Inspired BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Slaw?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
