BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich: The Ultimate Flavor-Packed Twist on a Classic
If you’re a fan of the classic Philly cheesesteak but want a new and exciting variation, this BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak is the perfect choice. Packed with juicy chicken, melty cheese, and bold barbecue flavors, this sandwich is an easy way to enjoy a delicious meal that the whole family will love.
What is a Philly Cheesesteak?
A traditional Philly cheesesteak is one of the most iconic sandwiches in American cuisine. Originating in Philadelphia, this classic sandwich is typically made with thin slices of ribeye steak, sautéed onions, and melted cheese, all served on a soft hoagie roll.
The two most popular cheeses used in a classic Philly cheesesteak are Cheez Whiz and white American cheese. Some versions also include green peppers or mushrooms for added texture and flavor.
The Philly cheesesteak has been a staple in sandwich culture for decades, with countless variations emerging to suit different tastes.
One of the best ways to put a twist on this beloved dish is by swapping out the beef for chicken, as seen in this BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak recipe. The chicken version of this sandwich offers a lighter yet equally flavorful experience, making it a great option for those looking for an alternative to red meat.
Why You Need to Make a BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich
The BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak is an easy way to enjoy a bold and flavorful sandwich that is perfect for any day of the week.

Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also packs in a variety of textures and flavors that make it one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever try.
- Juicy and Tender Chicken: Using chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts ensures the meat remains moist and flavorful. The seasoning blend enhances the taste, making each bite more delicious than the last.
- Melty Cheese Perfection: The combination of cheddar, pepper jack, and BBQ sauce creates a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy flavor profile that complements the tender chicken beautifully.
- Quick and Easy: With a cooking process that takes under 30 minutes, this BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak is a convenient option for a busy weeknight meal.
- Perfect for the Whole Family: This sandwich is a crowd-pleaser, making it a great choice for family dinners, game day, or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
- 1 tbsp SPG blend (salt, black pepper, garlic powder)
- 1 tbsp BBQ rub
- 1 small red onion or yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 3 cheddar cheese slices
- 3 pepper jack cheese slices
- 2-3 soft hoagie rolls
How to Make a BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by slicing the onion into thin strips and dicing the green bell pepper. Then, cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet or griddle to medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of avocado oil and place the cubed chicken onto the hot surface.

Season it with a generous amount of BBQ rub and let it cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables
After five minutes, flip the chicken to ensure even cooking. Then, toss in the onions and green bell peppers, letting them sauté until soft and fragrant.

These sautéed onions and peppers add a sweet and savory balance to the tender chicken.
Step 4: Mix in the BBQ Sauce and Cheese
Drizzle BBQ sauce over the chicken mixture and stir everything together to ensure the flavors meld perfectly.

Once the sauce is well incorporated, place three slices of cheddar cheese on top of the mixture and let it melt.

Once melted, mix the cheese in with the chicken, peppers and onions.
After a minute, top with pepper jack cheese, allowing it to blend for an ultra-creamy, melty cheese finish.

Step 5: Assemble the Sandwich
Stuff the cheesy, BBQ-infused chicken mixture into a soft hoagie bun, ensuring you get a generous amount in each bite.

To lock in the flavors, wrap the entire sandwich in aluminum foil and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. This step helps the flavors meld together, making for an irresistible BBQ chicken cheesesteak.
Why You Need to Make a BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak
The BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak is an easy way to enjoy a bold and flavorful sandwich that is perfect for any day of the week. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also packs in a variety of textures and flavors making it one of the best sandwiches.
- Juicy and Tender Chicken: Using chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts ensures the meat remains moist and flavorful. The seasoning blend enhances the taste, making each bite more delicious than the last.
- Melty Cheese Perfection: The combination of cheddar, pepper jack, and BBQ sauce creates a rich, creamy, and spicy flavor profile.
- Quick and Easy: This takes under 30 minutes to make, this BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak is perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Perfect for the Whole Family: This sandwich is a crowd-pleaser, making it a great choice for family dinners, game day, or get-togethers.
Other Sandwiches to Try
Looking to expand your sandwich repertoire? Here are some other delicious sandwiches you should try!
Birria Cheesesteak: A fusion of Mexican birria and the classic Philly cheesesteak. This sandwich features slow-cooked, seasoned beef topped with melted cheese and served on a toasted hoagie roll.
Smoked Brisket Banh Mi: This Vietnamese-inspired sandwich layers smoked brisket with pickled vegetables, cilantro, and spicy mayo on a crusty baguette.
Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich: Crispy, spicy pork belly is the star of this sandwich, served on a soft bun with pickles and creamy coleslaw.
Korean BBQ Sandwich: Thinly sliced Korean BBQ beef, topped with kimchi and spicy gochujang mayo, makes for a unique and flavorful sandwich experience.
BBQ Beef Sandwich: Slow-cooked, smoky beef slathered in tangy BBQ sauce and piled high on a soft roll is a must-try for BBQ lovers.
Cuban Sandwich: A Cuban classic featuring roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, pressed together on crusty Cuban bread.
Smoked Italian Beef Sandwich: Juicy Italian beef, topped with melt provolone cheese, giardiniera, and served on a toasted roll.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best way to enjoy a chicken cheesesteak with a BBQ twist, this is a must-try. The combination of juicy chicken, sautéed onions, green peppers, and melty cheese makes it one of the most flavorful sandwiches you can make at home. Give it a try and let this BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak become one of your new favorite sandwiches!
Print
BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich
This BBQ Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich is the perfect sandwich! Juicy chicken, pepper and onions smothered in BBQ sauce and melty cheese.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed
- 1 tbsp SPG blend
- 1 tbsp BBQ rub
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 3 Cheddar Cheese Slices
- 3 Pepper Jack Cheese Slices
- 4 Hoagie rolls
Instructions
- Thinly slice up 1/2 red onion, dice a green bell pepper and cut up 2 lbs of chicken thighs into bite size pieces.
- Get the chicken down on a hot griddle then season with BBQ rub.
- Flip chicken after 5 mins then add onions and green bell peppers.
- Drizzle on BBQ sauce then top with 3 slices of cheddar cheese and mix all of the ingredients.
- Top with pepper jack cheese then stuff into a soft hoagie.
- Roll the sandwich in aluminum foil and let it sit for 2-3 mins.
- Unwrap the sandwich then enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes