These BBQ chicken sandwiches made with orange juice are perfectly tangy, lightly sweet, and utterly delicious! This is a summery meal everyone will love.
Just like all my favorite recipes, this one is quick, easy, healthy, and super flavorful. You’ll never want to make barbecue sauce without Florida Orange Juice again!
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Thanks to Florida Orange Juice for sponsoring this post, originally published in 2018.
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Whether you make these BBQ chicken sandwiches on the grill or in the kitchen, they’re perfect for your next summer cookout or weeknight meal!
Once the chicken is done, just slap on a bun and some slaw, and you’re ready to dig in. You’ll be dreaming about this saucy chicken all summer long. 😉
The leftovers are amazing without a bun, too, if you want to toss them in a salad or grain bowl.
Looking for another delicious chicken sandwich recipe to try? You’ll love these juicy blackened chicken sandwiches with savory yogurt sauce!
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s what you’re working with ingredient-wise for this recipe:
- chicken breasts (I highly recommend boneless and skinless for easier shredding! Plus, bone-in chicken often takes longer to cook.)
- Florida orange juice (To elevate the tang factor of that BBQ sauce!)
- tomato paste
- red wine vinegar
- red onion
- olive oil
- garlic
- seasoning: chili powder, dry mustard, smoked paprika
And of course, if you want to serve them as sandwiches, you’ll need bread or buns (or lettuce for lettuce wraps). Plus, a slaw/cabbage mix for a little extra crunch if you like!
You might also enjoy these slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs!
Why Orange Juice in the BBQ Sauce?
The tangy citrus flavor from Florida Orange Juice really takes the chicken marinade and the BBQ sauce to the next level!
Using 100% orange juice in the BBQ sauce also gives you a slightly sweet sauce without pouring cups of sugar into the pot, and adds a summery touch that you don’t get from most BBQ sauces.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Orange Juice
The whole meal comes together quickly with just a few steps.
First, roast or grill the chicken breasts coated in the smoky marinade. Then, once cooked, shred the chicken and toss it in the BBQ sauce. That’s it!
If you’re using the oven, you can char the shredded chicken under the broiler to get more of a smoky flavor – or skip that step and just dig in. Up to you!
The BBQ chicken can be served with various BBQ sides (like slaw – try my watermelon rind coleslaw), or as a sandwich! Either way, I hope you enjoy it.
You’ll find the full BBQ chicken sandwiches recipe at the end of this post.
Looking for more summer cookout main and side dishes? Here are some of my favorites:
- Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, Avocado and Arugula (more Florida OJ goodness!)
- Jamaican Jerk Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Salsa (pan-fry or grill the burgers)
- Greek Lamb Burgers (pan-fry or grill these burgers too!)
- Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp
- Watermelon Chicken with Balsamic Glaze
- Roasted Salmon with Watermelon Salsa (bake or grill the salmon!)
Tangy Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Homemade Sauce
Whether you make these BBQ chicken sandwiches on the grill or in the kitchen, they’re perfect for your next summer cookout or weeknight meal!
Ingredients:
For the chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb)
- 2 tablespoons Florida Orange Juice
- 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the BBQ Sauce
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 6- oz jar tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cups Florida Orange Juice
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional - see note)
- Whole wheat buns (lettuce, slaw, etc.)
Instructions:
- For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, or fire up your grill. Place the chicken, orange juice, and spices in a large bowl and toss to coat.
- Place the chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until cooked through. Or, grill until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, make the BBQ sauce: Heat the olive oil, red onion, and garlic in a pot over medium heat. Cook 4-5 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Shred the chicken breasts, pour the BBQ sauce on top, and toss to coat. Use as much or as little sauce as you'd like, depending on how saucy you want the meat.
- If you are using the oven rather than the grill, you can turn the oven to "broil" and broil the BBQ sauce-coated shredded chicken on a baking sheet for an extra 2-3 minutes to char the edges and let the sauce soak in.
- Serve on buns with your favorite toppings!
Notes:
If you prefer sweeter BBQ sauce, feel free to add a little honey or pure maple syrup! You can always cook the sauce without it, then taste it to see if you want to stir in a tablespoon or two for an added touch of sweetness.
Thank you to the Florida Department of Citrus for sponsoring this post! Florida Orange Juice provides the amazing 5 in every glass: Taste, Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium and No Added Sugar. Plus, an 8 ounce glass of 100% orange juice counts as one of your daily recommended servings of fruit! Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about the Amazing 5 and for lots of delicious Florida OJ infused recipes to try at home!
