The Zesty White BBQ Chicken Subs Recipe Everyone Craves

Juicy white BBQ chicken subs promise a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Smoky undertones blend perfectly with creamy sauce, creating an unexpected sandwich experience.

Southern-style marinades infuse each tender slice with mouthwatering complexity.

Crisp vegetables add refreshing crunch against the rich meat’s boldness.

Soft submarine rolls cradle this delectable combination, ensuring every bite delivers maximum deliciousness.

Casual yet sophisticated, these subs break traditional barbecue boundaries with their innovative approach.

Dive into this recipe and discover a new sandwich champion that’ll become your instant favorite.

Pairing Ideas for BBQ Chicken Subs

  • Picnic Perfect Plating: Arrange subs on a rustic wooden board with extra pickles and fresh herbs for a casual, inviting presentation.
  • Sidekick Sensations: Pair with crispy sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or a light garden salad to complement the tangy chicken.
  • Cool Companion Drinks: Serve with ice-cold sweet tea, craft beer, or a zesty lemonade to balance the rich, creamy white BBQ sauce.
  • Leftover Love: Transform remaining chicken into a quick salad topping or wrap for next day's lunch, maximizing the delicious sauce's potential.

Storage Advice for White BBQ Chicken Subs

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping sauce separate to prevent soggy bread.
  • Pack cooled chicken without lettuce or tomatoes in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
  • Warm chicken in short 15-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent dryness. Add extra sauce if needed.
  • Spread chicken on baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Restore moisture by drizzling fresh white BBQ sauce before serving.

FAQs

  • What is white BBQ sauce?

A tangy Alabama-style sauce made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and spices that offers a creamy, zesty flavor different from traditional red barbecue sauce.

  • Can I use different types of chicken?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover roasted chicken for this recipe. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces before mixing with sauce.

  • How spicy is this white BBQ sauce?

The sauce has a mild kick from horseradish and mustard. If you prefer more heat, add extra horseradish or a dash of hot sauce to increase the spiciness.

Details on White BBQ Chicken Subs

  • Whip Up a Flavor Explosion: This white BBQ chicken sub delivers a tangy, creamy sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering meal that'll make taste buds dance.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add your favorite toppings to create a personalized sandwich that suits every family member's preferences and dietary needs.
  • Quick Lunch Champion: Prep and assemble this recipe in minutes, making it perfect for busy weekdays, last-minute lunches, or spontaneous gatherings with friends.
  • No-Fuss Cooking Delight: Requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients, allowing even kitchen newbies to create a restaurant-quality sandwich without stress.

Ingredients for White BBQ Chicken Subs

Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Shredded protein that serves as the primary filling for the sub sandwich.
  • Sub Rolls: Soft bread that provides the base for the sandwich and holds all the ingredients.
Sauce Components:
  • Mayonnaise, Apple Cider Vinegar, Dijon Mustard: Core ingredients that create the signature white BBQ sauce with tangy and creamy flavor.
  • Horseradish: Adds a spicy kick to the sauce.
Seasoning Group:
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika: Dry spices that enhance the depth of flavor in the white BBQ sauce.
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and round out the overall taste.
Sandwich Toppings:
  • Lettuce, Tomato Slices, Pickles: Fresh ingredients that add crunch, moisture, and additional flavor layers to the sub sandwich.

Cooking Instructions for BBQ Chicken Subs

Step 1: Craft the Tangy White Sauce

Grab a mixing bowl and combine the zesty ingredients to create a mouthwatering white BBQ sauce.

Whisk together:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Horseradish
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Blend until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated, creating a creamy and vibrant sauce.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Take your shredded chicken and generously toss it with half of the prepared white BBQ sauce.

Ensure each strand of chicken is thoroughly coated with the flavorful mixture, creating a deliciously saucy base for your sub.

Step 3: Prepare the Sub Foundation

Slice open your sub rolls, creating a perfect vessel for the upcoming flavor explosion.

Layer the inside with fresh ingredients:
  • Crisp lettuce leaves
  • Juicy tomato slices
  • Tangy pickles (optional)

Step 4: Assemble the Flavor-Packed Subs

Carefully fill the prepared sub rolls with the saucy chicken mixture.

Distribute the chicken evenly to ensure each bite is packed with flavor.

Step 5: Add the Final Flavor Flourish

Drizzle the remaining white BBQ sauce over the top of the filled subs, adding an extra layer of zesty goodness.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Plate your white BBQ chicken subs immediately and get ready to enjoy a taste sensation that will delight your taste buds.

Helpful Tips for BBQ Chicken Subs

  • Adjust the white BBQ sauce's tanginess by increasing or decreasing apple cider vinegar for personal taste preferences.
  • Shred rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal or use leftover grilled chicken for added smoky flavor.
  • Choose fresh, soft sub rolls and lightly toast them to prevent sogginess and enhance texture.
  • Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to reduce calories or use gluten-free rolls for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the white BBQ sauce for those who enjoy extra heat.

Flavor Variations of White BBQ Chicken Subs

  • Gluten-Free Sub Option: Replace traditional sub rolls with gluten-free bread or lettuce wraps for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute shredded chicken with roasted jackfruit or grilled tofu, maintaining the same white BBQ sauce flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Use large butter lettuce leaves as wrap instead of sub rolls, creating a lighter, carb-conscious version of the sandwich.
  • Spicy Kick Variation: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the white BBQ sauce for those who enjoy extra heat and complexity in their meal.
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White Bbq Chicken Subs Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Zesty white BBQ chicken subs bring Southern flavor to sandwich lovers. Tangy sauce and grilled chicken create a mouthwatering combination you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

Bread:

  • 4 sub rolls

White BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) horseradish

Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

  • Lettuce
  • Tomato slices
  • Pickles

Instructions

  1. Craft a zesty white BBQ sauce by whisking mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, horseradish, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended.
  2. Shred the chicken thoroughly and coat generously with half of the prepared white BBQ sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly dressed.
  3. Slice sub rolls lengthwise, creating a sturdy base for the sandwich assembly.
  4. Create a fresh foundation by layering crisp lettuce leaves across the opened sub rolls.
  5. Arrange vibrant tomato slices and tangy pickle rounds atop the lettuce for added texture and flavor.
  6. Generously pile the saucy chicken mixture into the prepared sub rolls, ensuring a hearty and satisfying filling.
  7. Enhance the sandwich by drizzling the remaining white BBQ sauce over the chicken, amplifying the dish’s signature flavor profile.
  8. Serve immediately while the sandwich is fresh and the sauce is at its peak zestiness, guaranteeing maximum taste and enjoyment.

Notes

  • Customize the sauce’s tanginess by adjusting the apple cider vinegar and horseradish amounts to suit your taste preferences.
  • Make the recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free sub rolls or lettuce wraps as an alternative bread option.
  • Enhance protein content by adding extra shredded chicken or mixing in grilled vegetables for a more nutritious meal.
  • Prepare the white BBQ sauce ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to develop deeper flavors and save preparation time.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 430 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Amanda Bennett

Amanda Bennett

Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography

Education

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
​Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.​

Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling


Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.

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