White BBQ Chicken Subs Recipe

Quick & Tangy White BBQ Chicken Subs Recipe for Busy Nights

White BBQ chicken subs represent a tantalizing twist on classic sandwich fare, blending smoky and creamy flavors into a mouthwatering meal.

Southern culinary traditions inspire this delectable creation, offering a unique take on traditional barbecue preparations.

Tender, succulent chicken redefines into a delightful filling that promises intense satisfaction for hungry diners.

Creamy white sauce brings unexpected complexity and zest to an otherwise ordinary sandwich experience.

This recipe combines subtle smokiness with rich, tangy notes that dance across your palate.

Carefully selected ingredients elevate a simple sub into a gourmet delight that impresses both family and friends.

Crisp textures and bold seasonings guarantee a memorable dining adventure that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why White BBQ Chicken Subs Are Packed with Flavor

  • Zest Up Your Meal: The white BBQ sauce brings a tangy, creamy twist that transforms ordinary chicken into a flavor explosion, making every bite exciting and unique.
  • Quick and Easy Comfort: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality subs in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends and family.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Melted Monterey Jack adds a rich, gooey texture that perfectly complements the juicy chicken and creamy white BBQ sauce, creating a mouthwatering experience.
  • Customize Your Crunch: The method allows flexibility- swap chicken tenders for other proteins or add extra veggies to make the sub your personal culinary masterpiece.

Ingredients That Make White BBQ Chicken Subs Stand Out

Main Ingredients:

Protein and Cheese:
  • Chicken Tenders: Juicy, tender meat that forms the main protein of the sandwich, choose fresh and well-trimmed pieces.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Mild, melty cheese that adds creamy texture and subtle flavor, opt for freshly shredded for best results.
Bread and Base:
  • French Bread Subs: Soft yet sturdy bread perfect for holding the filling, look for fresh bakery-style rolls with crisp exterior.

Sauce and Seasoning:

White BBQ Sauce:
  • Mayonnaise, Apple Cider Vinegar, Horseradish, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Salt, Black Pepper: Tangy, creamy white sauce that provides zesty and complex flavor profile, balance ingredients for perfect consistency.
Cooking Ingredients:
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for cooking chicken, helps prevent sticking and ensures even browning.
  • Shallots: Delicate, sweet allium that adds subtle aromatic flavor when softened, choose firm and unblemished shallots.
Garnish and Optional Additions:
  • Extra Monterey Jack Cheese: Additional topping for melting and extra cheesy goodness.

How to Layer and Toast the Perfect BBQ Sub

Step 1: Create Creamy White BBQ Sauce

  • Mayonnaise
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Horseradish
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Black pepper
  • Salt

Whisk ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth and fully blended. Refrigerate sauce until meal preparation begins.

Step 2: Season and Sear Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Add sliced shallots during final cooking minutes to soften and caramelize.

Step 3: Chop and Mix Chicken Filling

Let chicken cool slightly. Slice chicken into bite-sized chunks. Transfer to mixing bowl. Add:
  • Cooked shallots
  • Monterey Jack cheese
  • White BBQ sauce

Gently fold ingredients together until evenly distributed.

Step 4: Build Delicious Subs

Slice French bread lengthwise without cutting completely through. Generously stuff chicken mixture into bread. Sprinkle additional cheese on top of filling.

Step 5: Melt and Brown Cheese

Place assembled subs on baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove subs from oven. Drizzle with extra white BBQ sauce. Serve immediately with sauce on side for dipping.

Tips for Juicy Chicken and Tangy Sauce Balance

  • Slice Chicken Carefully: Cut chicken tenders into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the sub.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust white BBQ sauce thickness by adding more mayonnaise for a creamier texture or more vinegar for tangier flavor.
  • Prevent Bread Sogginess: Lightly toast the inside of the French bread before adding chicken mixture to create a barrier that keeps the bread crisp and prevents moisture absorption.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Watch the broiler closely and keep the baking sheet about 4-5 inches from the heat source to achieve perfectly melted cheese without burning the bread.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Let chicken marinate in a portion of the white BBQ sauce for 15-30 minutes before cooking to infuse more robust flavor into the meat.

Keeping Your BBQ Chicken Subs Tasty for Later

  • Refrigerate: Transfer leftover white BBQ chicken subs to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate the bread from the filling to maintain crispness.
  • Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Reassemble the sub, wrap loosely in aluminum foil, and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through. Unwrap for the last 2 minutes to crisp the bread.
  • Avoid Microwave: Skip microwave reheating to prevent soggy bread and rubbery chicken. The oven method ensures better texture and flavor preservation.

Ideal Sides for BBQ Chicken Subs

  • Crisp Wine Companion: Pair these zesty white BBQ chicken subs with a chilled sauvignon blanc, whose bright acidity and herbal notes perfectly complement the tangy sauce and rich chicken.
  • Cool Beer Match: Grab a crisp pilsner or light wheat beer to balance the creamy cheese and smoky flavors, cutting through the richness of the sub while refreshing your palate.
  • Crunchy Side Kick: Serve alongside cold, crisp dill pickle spears or a light cucumber salad to add a refreshing crunch that enhances the creamy texture of the chicken and white BBQ sauce.
  • Fresh Salad Sidekick: Create a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a peppery, bright contrast to the heavy, savory sub, bringing a clean and zesty element to the meal.

Flavor Alternatives for White BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

  • Spicy Southern Splash: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the white BBQ sauce for a fiery kick that elevates the chicken's flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Fusion Sandwich: Replace Monterey Jack with crumbled feta cheese and mix in chopped fresh herbs like oregano and parsley for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.
  • Smoky Pulled Chicken Version: Shred the chicken instead of chopping and use a smoky paprika seasoning to create a more rustic, barbecue-style sub with deeper flavor complexity.
  • Veggie Loaded Chicken Sub: Incorporate roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, and spinach into the chicken mixture for added nutrition and textural contrast.
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White BBQ Chicken Subs Recipe

White BBQ Chicken Subs Recipe


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4.9 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

White BBQ Chicken Subs bring Alabama’s tangy culinary magic to your kitchen. Succulent grilled chicken draped in creamy white sauce nestles into toasted rolls, offering a mouthwatering journey through Southern comfort cuisine.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 14 ounces (397 grams) chicken tenders
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for cooking
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Cheese and Bread:

  • 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 French bread subs
  • 2 large shallots, sliced

White BBQ Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ tablespoon freshly cracked white pepper
  • ½ tablespoon Creole mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large garlic cloves, pressed
  • 2 teaspoons horseradish
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • About ½ cup white BBQ sauce (more for dipping or drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Craft a zesty white BBQ sauce by whisking ingredients together in a mixing bowl until silky smooth, then chill in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld.
  2. Warm vegetable oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Generously season chicken tenders with salt and pepper, then sear until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes per side.
  3. Incorporate sliced shallots midway through chicken cooking, letting them soften and become translucent while releasing their delicate flavor.
  4. Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and slice into bite-sized morsels. Transfer chopped chicken and caramelized shallots to a large mixing bowl.
  5. Fold Monterey Jack cheese and white BBQ sauce into the chicken mixture, ensuring each morsel is generously coated with creamy, tangy goodness.
  6. Carefully slice French bread subs lengthwise without completely separating, creating a hinged pocket for the savory filling.
  7. Generously stuff each sub with the chicken mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
  8. Sprinkle additional cheese atop the filled subs for extra melty decadence.
  9. Position subs on a baking sheet and slide under the broiler, watching carefully until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden blanket.
  10. Remove subs from broiler and drizzle with extra white BBQ sauce for enhanced flavor. Serve immediately with supplementary sauce for dipping pleasure.

Notes

  • White BBQ sauce brings tangy, creamy flavor that elevates classic chicken subs with a Southern-inspired twist.
  • Cooking chicken tenders slowly ensures juicy, tender meat that absorbs the delicious white BBQ sauce perfectly.
  • Shallots add a subtle, sweet aromatics that complement the rich cheese and zesty sauce beautifully.
  • Broiling the subs creates a crispy bread exterior while melting cheese for maximum texture and flavor.
  • Monterey Jack cheese provides a mild, creamy element that binds the chicken mixture together smoothly.
  • Preparing the sauce ahead of time allows flavors to meld, making the final dish more delicious and complex.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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