Tasty Grilled Buffalo Chicken

Section: Evening Favorites

First, flatten boneless chicken breasts so they cook evenly. Then soak them in olive oil, spices, honey, and tangy buffalo wing sauce. Cook over medium-high heat and brush often to get tasty caramelized edges. If you want, add cheese toward the end. Stack the chicken on toasted brioche buns and top with a crunchy salad made from iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, red onion, and pepperoncini. This combo brings smoky, spicy, creamy, and fresh bites that work great for any meal.

Lindsey
Created By Lindsey
Most recently updated on Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:09:46 GMT
Buffalo chicken sandwich on the grill topped with lettuce and blue cheese. Save
Buffalo chicken sandwich on the grill topped with lettuce and blue cheese. | cookbing.com

This smoky buffalo chicken sandwich is my go-to for laid-back weekend lunches or simple dinners. The spicy chicken pairs so well with a crisp, tangy slaw that really makes it pop. It comes together fast using stuff you probably already have in your kitchen.

I whipped this up when I wanted buffalo wings without the mess. It quickly turned into a favorite for satisfying a spicy fix without much hassle.

What You Need

  • Buffalo wing sauce: pick a fresh bottle for that tangy punch
  • Cayenne pepper: just enough to bring the heat without going overboard
  • Paprika and garlic powder: give a rich, savory base
  • Mayonnaise and red wine vinegar: make a creamy, tangy slaw to cool things down
  • Shredded iceberg lettuce: for fresh crunch
  • Kosher salt: to bring out the flavors
  • Brioche buns: soft and buttery, hold it all together without getting soggy
  • Dried dill and oregano: add a nice herbal touch to the slaw
  • Olive oil: keeps things moist and helps spices stick
  • Red onion and pepperoncini: for a punch of sharpness and brightness
  • Chicken breasts: pounded flat to cook evenly and stay tender
  • Honey: gives a slight sweetness to balance the spice

How To Make It

Prep The Chicken:
Flatten chicken breasts gently using a rolling pin or meat mallet so they cook evenly and stay juicy. If breasts are big, cut them in half first.
Mix The Marinade:
Whisk together olive oil, kosher salt, paprika, garlic and onion powder, cayenne, buffalo sauce, and honey until smooth.
Marinate The Chicken:
Coat each chicken piece with the marinade, cover, and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. More time (up to two days) means deeper flavor.
Fire Up The Grill:
Get the grill hot on medium-high. Oil the grill grates so nothing sticks.
Grill The Chicken:
Place the chicken on the grill, cooking about 5-6 minutes each side. In the last couple of minutes, brush more buffalo sauce on and add cheese if you want. Close the lid to melt the cheese and get a nice glaze on the sauce.
Whip Up The Slaw:
Mix mayo, red wine vinegar, dried dill, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir in shredded lettuce, thin red onion slices, and pepperoncini until everything’s nicely coated.
Build The Sandwiches:
Toast the brioche buns lightly on the grill or a pan. Stack grilled chicken, a big scoop of slaw, tomato slices, and extra mayo if you like. Serve right away.
A sandwich with coleslaw and barbecue sauce.
A sandwich with coleslaw and barbecue sauce. | cookbing.com

I love how the sharp buffalo sauce works with the crunchy slaw here. It reminds me of summer cookouts with friends when everyone digs the mix of heat and fresh flavors. The pepperoncini add a bright kick I never leave out.

Keep It Fresh

Put leftover grilled chicken and slaw in separate airtight containers and refrigerate. Chicken stays good for up to 4 days, slaw for about 2 to 3 days. Warm chicken gently so it doesn’t dry out. Best to put sandwiches together fresh before serving.

Switch It Up

Try chicken thighs instead of breasts if you want something juicier and richer. Swap iceberg for cabbage or kale in the slaw to mix up the crunch. Use BBQ sauce in place of buffalo sauce for a milder smoky taste.

Serving Tips

Serve sandwiches with sweet potato fries or a light side salad. Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess. Blue cheese dressing on the side is great for dipping.

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

Bold spicy chicken meets crisp tangy slaw here for a quick meal that hits the spot every time.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ How long do I need to marinate the chicken?

Leaving it in the marinade for an hour is enough to get good flavor but going up to two days will make it even tastier.

→ Which spices work best with buffalo chicken?

A mix of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and kosher salt gives the chicken a smoky, spicy boost that goes well with buffalo sauce.

→ What helps the chicken cook evenly?

Making sure the chicken breasts are all the same thickness by pounding them helps keep them juicy and cooks evenly on the grill.

→ Can I swap out brioche buns?

Definitely, buns like ciabatta or kaiser rolls work well and hold up nicely against the moist chicken and crunch slaw.

→ What’s in the grinder-style slaw?

It’s made with shredded iceberg lettuce, pepperoncini, thinly sliced red onion, tomato slices, and a zesty mayo-vinegar dressing with herbs for a fresh and crunchy touch.

→ How do I change the spice level?

You can make it hotter or milder by adding less or more cayenne and buffalo wing sauce to match your taste.

Buffalo Chicken Grill

Grilled chicken with bold buffalo sauce and crisp grinder slaw on toasted brioche buns.

Preparation Time
10 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
25 minutes
Created By: Lindsey

Type of Recipe: Dinner

Cooking Difficulty: Intermediate Skill Needed

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yielded: 4 Number of Servings (4 sandwiches)

Diet Preferences: ~

Ingredients List

→ Marinade and Chicken

01 900 grams chicken breasts without bones or skin
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 like Frank’s
09 30 milliliters honey

→ Cheese and Bread

10 4 brioche buns
11 4 slices of Havarti or Pepperjack cheese

→ Slaw for the Sandwich

12 160 grams iceberg lettuce shredded
13 1 tomato cut into slices
14 60 grams red onion thinly cut
15 6 sliced pepperoncini peppers

→ Dressing for Slaw

16 80 milliliters mayo
17 15 milliliters red wine vinegar
18 1 gram dried dill weed
19 1 gram garlic powder
20 2 grams dried oregano
21 kosher salt as needed
22 fresh black pepper freshly ground as needed

Detailed Cooking Steps

Step 01

Use a meat hammer to flatten the chicken breasts to the same thickness. Cut bigger pieces in half if needed.

Step 02

Mix olive oil, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, buffalo sauce, and honey in a bowl. Add chicken and coat it well. Cover and chill for at least an hour or up to two days.

Step 03

Heat your grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Cook the chicken about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Turn and brush on more buffalo sauce to get a nice glaze.

Step 04

Put the cheese on the chicken during the last bit of grilling so it can melt perfectly.

Step 05

Whip up mayo, red wine vinegar, dried dill, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss that with iceberg lettuce, red onion, pepperoncini, and tomato slices.

Step 06

Toast the buns. Stack the grilled chicken with melted cheese, the slaw, tomato slices, and mayo if you want. Eat right away.

Helpful Hints

  1. Letting the chicken soak in marinade longer helps it taste better and get tender.
  2. Flattening the chicken makes sure it cooks nicely and stays juicy.
  3. Feel free to swap cheeses or toppings to match what you like.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

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

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and ask a doctor if unsure.
  • Has dairy and eggs
  • Brioche buns might have gluten

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

These nutritional values serve as a guide and don’t replace advice from healthcare experts.
  • Calorie Count: 430
  • Fat Content: 18 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 30 grams
  • Protein Amount: 40 grams