1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Grilled Buffalo Chicken Delight

Smoky Grilled Buffalo Chicken

Category: Outdoor Cooking Favorites

Start by pounding boneless chicken breasts for even cooking, then marinate them in a mix of olive oil, spices, honey, and tangy buffalo wing sauce. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, brushing occasionally to caramelize flavors. Add cheese near the end if desired. Build sandwiches on toasted brioche buns with the grilled chicken, topped with a crunchy grinder-style slaw featuring iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, red onion, and pepperoncini. This combination delivers a delightful balance of smoky, spicy, creamy, and fresh textures perfect for any meal.

Save on Pinterest Share This Recipe Email This Recipe Print This Recipe Go Directly to Recipe
Breanna smiling at the camera.
Created By Breanna
Last updated on Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:33:46 GMT
A grilled buffalo chicken sandwich with lettuce and blue cheese. Save
A grilled buffalo chicken sandwich with lettuce and blue cheese. | foodiffy.com

This grilled buffalo chicken sandwich is my favorite for easy weekend lunches or casual dinners. The smoky, spicy chicken paired with a crunchy, tangy slaw creates a sandwich that hits all the right notes. It comes together quickly and uses ingredients you likely have on hand.

I first made this after craving buffalo wings without the mess. It quickly became a go-to for satisfying a spicy craving with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts: pounded for even grilling and tenderness
  • Olive oil: for moisture and helping spices stick
  • Kosher salt: to season and enhance flavors
  • Paprika and garlic powder: build a deep savory profile
  • Cayenne pepper: adds the perfect amount of heat without overpowering
  • Buffalo wing sauce: for authentic tangy bite, choose a fresh jar for best taste
  • Honey: balances heat with subtle sweetness
  • Brioche buns: for buttery softness and to hold all the fillings without getting soggy
  • Shredded iceberg lettuce: adds crunch and refreshes the palate
  • Red onion and pepperoncini: bring sharpness and zing
  • Mayonnaise and red wine vinegar: create a creamy, tangy slaw that cools the heat
  • Dried dill and oregano: lift the slaw with herbal notes

Instructions

Pound The Chicken:
Use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to gently pound chicken breasts until evenly thick. This ensures even cooking and juicy results. Cut larger breasts in half if needed.
Make The Marinade:
In a bowl, whisk olive oil, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, buffalo sauce, and honey until well combined.
Marinate The Chicken:
Toss the chicken breasts in the marinade so each piece is fully coated. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Longer marinating up to 48 hours deepens the flavor.
Preheat And Prepare The Grill:
Heat the grill to medium-high. Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.
Grill The Chicken:
Place chicken on the hot grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side. During the last 1-2 minutes, brush with additional buffalo sauce and add cheese slices if using. Close the lid to melt cheese and caramelize the sauce slightly.
Prepare The Slaw:
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, dried dill, garlic powder, oregano, a pinch of kosher salt, and cracked pepper. Stir in shredded lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced pepperoncini. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
Assemble The Sandwiches:
Toast brioche buns lightly on the grill or in a pan. Layer grilled buffalo chicken, a generous scoop of slaw, tomato slices, and optional mayo on the buns. Serve immediately.
A sandwich with coleslaw and barbecue sauce.
A sandwich with coleslaw and barbecue sauce. | foodiffy.com

I love how the tangy buffalo sauce plays with the crunchy slaw. This sandwich reminds me of summer barbecues with friends where everyone loved the balance of spicy and fresh flavors. The pepperoncini add a surprising brightness I never skip.

Storage Tips

Store leftover grilled chicken and slaw separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Chicken lasts up to 4 days, slaw for 2 to 3 days. Reheat chicken gently to avoid drying out. Assemble sandwiches freshly for best texture.

Ingredient Swaps

Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier, richer flavor Swap iceberg lettuce for cabbage or kale in the slaw for a different crunch Try swapping buffalo sauce for BBQ sauce for a milder, smoky variation

Serving Ideas

Pair sandwiches with sweet potato fries or a simple side salad Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess Serve with blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping

A sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese.
A sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese. | foodiffy.com

This grilled buffalo chicken sandwich combines bold heat and a refreshing slaw for the perfect quick meal.

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

→ How long should the chicken marinate?

Marinating for at least one hour allows the flavors to meld, but soaking up to 48 hours results in a deeper, more robust taste.

→ What spices enhance the buffalo chicken?

A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt gives the chicken a smoky, spicy kick that complements the buffalo sauce.

→ How can I ensure the chicken cooks evenly?

Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness before grilling helps them cook consistently and stay juicy.

→ Can I substitute the brioche buns?

Yes, you can use sturdy buns like ciabatta or kaiser rolls to hold up well against the moist chicken and slaw.

→ What is the grinder-style slaw made of?

The slaw combines shredded iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, pepperoncini, sliced tomatoes, and a tangy mayo-vinegar dressing with herbs for a refreshing crunch.

→ Is there a way to adjust the heat level?

You can control the spiciness by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper and buffalo wing sauce, tailoring the heat to your preference.

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Delight

Smoky grilled chicken with tangy buffalo sauce and fresh grinder slaw on toasted brioche buns.

Preparation Time
10 mins
Time to Cook
15 mins
Overall Time
25 mins
Created By: Breanna

Type of Recipe: Grilling & BBQ

Cooking Difficulty: Intermediate Skill Needed

Cultural Origin: American

Portion Size: 4 Number of Servings (4 sandwiches)

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients Required

→ Chicken and Marinade

01 900 grams boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 30 milliliters olive oil
03 10 grams kosher salt
04 5 grams paprika
05 5 grams garlic powder
06 2.5 grams onion powder
07 1 gram cayenne pepper
08 80 milliliters buffalo wing sauce (e.g., Frank’s)
09 30 milliliters honey

→ Bread and Cheese

10 4 brioche buns
11 4 slices Havarti or Pepperjack cheese

→ Grinder-Style Slaw

12 160 grams shredded iceberg lettuce
13 1 tomato, sliced
14 60 grams red onion, thinly sliced
15 6 pepperoncini, sliced

→ Slaw Dressing

16 80 milliliters mayonnaise
17 15 milliliters red wine vinegar
18 1 gram dried dill
19 1 gram garlic powder
20 2 grams dried oregano
21 kosher salt, to taste
22 freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Guide to Cooking

Step 01

Evenly pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness using a meat tenderizer. If pieces are large, halve them.

Step 02

Combine olive oil, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, buffalo sauce, and honey in a bowl. Toss chicken in marinade, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour up to 48 hours.

Step 03

Preheat grill to medium-high heat and oil grates. Grill marinated chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Flip and baste with additional buffalo sauce to caramelize.

Step 04

During the final minutes of grilling, place cheese slices on chicken to melt.

Step 05

Whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, dried dill, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Combine dressing with iceberg lettuce, red onion, sliced pepperoncini, and sliced tomato.

Step 06

Toast brioche buns. Layer grilled chicken with melted cheese, prepared slaw, sliced tomato, and optional mayonnaise on buns. Serve immediately.

Extra Suggestions

  1. Marinating chicken longer than one hour enhances depth of flavor and tenderness.
  2. Pounding chicken to uniform thickness ensures even grilling and juiciness.
  3. Customize cheese and toppings as desired for varied flavor profiles.

Necessary Equipment

  • Grill or grill pan
  • Meat tenderizer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Allergen Info

Always check ingredient labels for allergens, and talk to a health expert if you’re unsure.
  • Contains dairy and eggs
  • May contain gluten from brioche buns

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Nutrition facts are for general information and shouldn’t replace professional health advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 430
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Protein: 40 g