Description
This Chick-fil-A inspired grilled chicken sandwich features tender, flavorful marinated chicken breasts grilled to perfection and topped with melted pepper jack cheese, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato slices on multigrain buns. Accompanied by a tangy and sweet honey roasted BBQ sauce, this sandwich is a delicious and wholesome meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Assembly
- 4 slices pepper jack or Colby jack cheese
- 4 multigrain buns
- Green leaf lettuce
- Beefsteak tomato slices
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces for even grilling. Set aside.
- Make Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together dill pickle juice, whole milk, powdered sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt, and smoked paprika until well combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Prepare Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine mayonnaise, sweet BBQ sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill pieces, flipping occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat and top each piece with a slice of pepper jack or Colby jack cheese to allow it to melt slightly.
- Assemble Sandwich: Remove tops from multigrain buns. On the bottom bun, layer green leaf lettuce and a slice of beefsteak tomato. Place the grilled chicken with melted cheese on top.
- Add Sauce and Serve: Spread the honey roasted BBQ sauce on the bottom side of the top bun. Place the bun on the sandwich, serve immediately, and enjoy a flavorful grilled chicken sandwich reminiscent of Chick-fil-A’s classic.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer (up to 4 hours) enhances tenderness and flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165°F.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute mayonnaise with a light mayo or Greek yogurt.
- Multigrain buns add texture but you can substitute with gluten-free buns if desired.
- Adding cheese is optional; use your favorite melting cheese for different flavors.
- Honey roasted BBQ sauce can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American