This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Subs: Grilled seasoned chicken is shredded and tossed with buffalo sauce. The saucy buffalo chicken is then layered into a sub roll with homemade ranch dressing, melty pepperjack and cheddar cheese, and a delicious, crunchy ranch slaw. Each bite is as DELICIOUS as it sounds. Itโs equally wonderful for a yummy lunch or dinner as it is on game day or your next summertime party!
Half Baked Harvest At Home
20+ new recipes for wholesome comfort food made with everyday ingredients. Pre-order today! HBH At Home will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd!
I mentioned this on Instagram last week, but Iโm really having a moment with sandwiches. For the last month, Iโve wanted to make some kind of buffalo chicken sandwich. It all started with TikTok.
I spend almost zero time on TikTok. But I do love our special TikTok community that weโve built. Therefore, I love sharing content on TikTok as much as possible. But I never scroll TikTok. I open the app, and I post. There are about 30 seconds while I wait for my video to post. I swear to you that every single day, Iโm served up a video from fathercooper โ Alex Cooper, also known for her podcast Call Her Daddy.
If you donโt follow Alex, sheโs fun, and her TikTok is filled with the most random food reviews, most of them being sandwiches. I kind of love it. The girl wolfed down a mean-looking buffalo chicken sub sandwich. After that video, I knew I needed to make a buffalo sandwich for summer. And that was that, and here we are!
I drew even more inspiration from my favorite East Coast sandwich shop, Penn Station. I grilled up chicken and tossed it with buffalo sauce, then layered it on a sub roll with pepperjack and cheddar cheese. Then I melted the cheese and finished it with my homemade ranch slaw. It came out SO GOOD, and Iโm so excited to share the recipe!
These are the details
Step 1: season the chicken
Toss chicken tenders (or, if you love thighs, use those) with smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add olive oil and toss the chicken one more time.
Step 2:ย grill the chicken
Now you grill! You can use a grill pan or an outdoor grill, both are great.
Grill the chicken until lightly charred on either side. If youโre using chicken tenders, this takes 5 minutes or so! So fast! My dad taught me this secret. He always used chicken tenders instead of breasts. They cook so much faster!
Step 3:ย shred the chicken and assemble
Shred the chicken and toss with buffalo sauce.
You can use store-bought buffalo sauce or make your own.
If you want to make your own sauce, itโs pretty easy. Mix 1/2 cup or so of hot sauce (I useย Franks) with an equal amount of melted butter. Then add seasoned salt and pepper. Thatโs it!
Step 4: make the ranch
I know that making homemade ranch is just another step, but it really is worth it. And itโs easier than running to the market to pick up a bottle.
I keep mine pretty simple and straightforward: sour cream or yogurt, mayo, buttermilk, parsley, dill, onion, garlic, and, of course, the jalapeรฑos. Instead of fresh jalapeรฑos, I like to use pickled jalapeรฑo peppers. Using pickled jalapeรฑos adds a subtle, tangy kick that I find especially delicious.
Step 5: the slaw
Toss a whole bunch of shredded cabbage with the ranch dressing. I like to add cilantro and scallions too.
If you enjoy blue cheese, add blue cheese crumbles to the slaw. I think thatโs so delicious! But other than that addition, keep the slaw simple: ranch, herbs, and cheese.
Step 6: build your subs!
Stuff the saucy buffalo chicken and cheese slices into the soft French baguette rolls. Place the rolls on the grill to melt the cheese.
When the cheese is melted, add the ranch slaw and extra sauce, and close the sandwiches up. Then serve! Eat these subs while hot, straight off the grill, quick and easy!
Once everything comes together, you get a big, beautiful summer sub sandwich! Every bite is delish โ sandwiches are always more fun in the summer!
Looking for other dinner recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad
Chipotle Pineapple Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Hawaiian Chicken Tacos with Jalapeรฑo Pineapple Salsa
Summer Chicken Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps
Lastly, if you make this Grilled Buffalo Chicken Subs, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sub Sandwich
Ingredientsย
- 2 pounds boneless chicken tenders or small thighs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 4-6 soft French baguette rolls, split
- 6 slices pepper jack or cheddar cheese
- 6 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup mixed chopped cilantro + green onion
Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Instructionsย
- 1. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat.2. In a bowl, toss the chicken, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt together. Grill the chicken until lightly charred, 5-8 minutes per side, depending on the size of your chicken. Shred the meat and toss with 1/2 cup buffalo sauce.3. Meanwhile, make the ranch dressing. Combine all ingredients in a jar, mixing until creamy. Then, season with salt. 4. To make the ranch slaw. Toss the cabbage with the ranch dressing, cilantro, and green onion.5. To make the sandwich. Lay the rolls, cut side up, on a cutting board. Spread the ranch dressing over the bottom piece of bread, then add the chicken and layer on 1-2 cheese slices per sandwich. Place on the grill (or use the broiler), cover, and cook until the cheese is melted. 6. Top the melty cheese with the ranch slaw and extra buffalo sauce. Close the sandwiches. Serve hot with extra ranch. Yum!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Personally, I think it was way too much buffalo sauce. I would suggest doing half what it calls for because it was overwhelming. Love her recipes but this one wasnโt it for me unfortunately!
Hi Allie,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear you didn’t love it!
Thanks for the shout out! I had fun putting that sandwich together! Love buffalo chicken!
Jeff Osterfeld. CEO & founder Penn Station East Coast Subs
Hey Jeff,
Love to hear this! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and taking the time to comment!
This looks great – going to make for a family bbq this weekend but not shred the meat. I LOVE your buffalo wings – in that one you mix the sauce with butter and season salt. Should I do the same here or just toss it in straight up sauce?
That sounds like such a fun idea for a BBQ! You can absolutely use the same method as the wings, mixing the buffalo sauce with a little melted butter and season salt will give the chicken extra richness and flavor. It helps mellow the heat and adds that yummy buttery coating. Just brush it on as the chicken grills or toss it right after cooking. Either way, itโll be a hit! xT
Thanks! Do you recommend this over the Chopped Honey Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad? (preparation wise)
Hi Jen! I think the salad might be a little bit easier to prep than these subs, especially if you’re wanting to save time you can just prep the salad ingredients ahead of time! But either would be delish! xT
Hi, in your write up you mention you add pickled jalapeรฑos to the ranch but in the recipe card I donโt see any mention of that ingredient. How much do you use?
Hi Sahra,
You can use 1-2 tablespoons of chopped pickled jalapeรฑos. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Super fun, easy and delish!
Hey Elizabeth,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have a great weekend:)
Such a great sandwich!!! I used blue cheese dressing instead bc Iโm a blue cheese kinda girl and it was delish! Thanks!!!
Hey Laura,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
I made these last night for dinner with friends and they were delicious! Everyone loved them!
Hey Angie,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
These sandwiches came out awesome! I had never made homemade ranch before, what a delight! I added shredded carrot and chopped celery to the slaw to give it the full on buffalo chicken experience, I highly recommend it. I omitted the sliced cheese in favor of adding blue cheese crumbles to the slaw too. This is an excellent, easy recipe. Itโs definitely going into the rotation. Thanks so much!!!!
Hey Nicole,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, I am so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! x
I loved this! I think next time Iโll do shredded lettuce instead of cabbage but it was still great ๐
Thanks so much, Mary! So glad you enjoyed this recipe:) Have a great day! xT
Great easy weeknight dinner. My family loved it!
Hi Amy,
Happy Sunday! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! x
Delicious! Would definitely make this again!
Hey Kimberly,
Wonderful! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! Have a great Saturday! Xx
Another winner! The whole family loved it.
Hey Laura,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it:) xT