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This apple butter bbq chicken sandwich is made with a homemade apple butter bbq sauce, roasted chicken breast and topped with a tangy apple cilantro slaw.
Growing up we always ate shredded chickens sandwiches. You took fresh shredded chicken (that you could buy in the store fresh thanks to a local place called Root’s Poultry) mixed with some cream of mushroom soup, let it warm and then pile it high on a soft squishy roll. This is the type of sandwich that you would have at almost any occasion – birthday party, baby shower, wedding, etc. Basically if there was an event where people gathered there was bound to be shredded chicken.
Now, living in New York I cannot just easily go to the store and pick up a few pound of pre-shredded chicken. Soooooooo I have to do it myself. Not that it’s hard or anything, but it’s still an extra step.
You feel my pain?
Yeah, probably not. I’m just whining.
Now as you can see this version of a shredded chicken sandwich is not swimming in cream of something soup. This version is swimming in a homemade sweet and spicy Musselman’s apple butter bbq sauce and topped with tangy green apple and cilantro slaw. It’s a giant burst of flavor and totally worth all the extra chicken roasting effort.
Trust me!
{Looking for more sandwich recipes? Try my Cuban Sandwich, Greek Chicken Burgers with Greek Yogurt Sauce, or my Smoked Blue Cheese Patty Melt.}
Apple Butter BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
For sauce:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, small dice
- 1 cup Musselman’s apple butter
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
For slaw:
- 1 large granny smith apple, cut into thin matchsticks
- 1/4 cup minced cilantro
- 1/2 lime, juiced
For chicken:
- 2 large bone-in chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and pepper
For serving:
- 12 small slider-sized buns
Instructions
For sauce:
- Add a medium-sized skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. When the oil is hot add the onions and sauté just until transparent and soft.
- Add in remaining ingredients and lower heat to low.
- Simmer for about 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Add salt and pepper if desired/needed.
- Toss with shredded chicken or pork.
- Note: If the sauce is not sweet enough you can always add a few tablespoons of dark brown sugar. This will depend on whether or not you like a sweet BBQ sauce.
For slaw:
- Mix ingredients together and serve on top of sandwiches.
For chicken:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat liner or parchment paper.
- Drizzle each breast with olive oil and season with kosher salt and pepper.
- Roast for about 45 minutes until fully cooked.
- Remove from the oven, let cool slightly and pull the chicken from the breast.
For serving:
- Mix shredded chicken with warm apple butter bbq sauce and stir to combine.
- Place chicken on a small slider bun and top with slaw.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I DO feel your pain and think you came up with a fabulous solution. Great idea to incorporate apple butter into the sauce.
I will take the swimming pool of apple butter than cream of mushroom soup any day! And shredded chicken…no one’s got time for dat.
APPLE BUTTER BBQ SAUCE?! That sounds OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I totally feel you on the having to do it yourself dilemma…first world problems amIright?
Good thing you have the saucey goodness to await you after your hard work! Pinned!
What an awesome use of apple butter. And your photos! As always, total perfection.
I love any BBQ sandwich with slaw–but your creation is something I have yet to try and am anxious to do so! Looks great!
haha… yes I totally feel your pain! Pre-shredded chicken would be so nice! Either way, I’m pretty sure this sandwich is happening at our house soon. Love how you carried the apple throughout this dish! De-lish!
Now THAT is some gorgeous shredded chicken. I’d just eat mine with a fork, no bun necessary. 🙂
Well, if that doesn’t make someone drool, I don’t know what will! And I love the apple slaw to provide some sweetness.
I absolutely LOVE the flavors in this sandwich!! Such a clever use of apples and apple butter – the sauce sounds DIVINE!!
I love that you put apple butter in the sauce!! Sweet and spicy is my favorite. ANd these sandwich photos are stunning!