Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Copycat Recipe

This Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Copycat brings the smoky, sweet flavor of the restaurant classic right to your kitchen with ease. Featuring tender grilled chicken smothered in a homemade honey BBQ sauce and topped with crispy bacon, this sandwich is perfect for your next casual dinner or game day.

If you’ve ever craved the sticky, smoky sweetness of the restaurant classic, this Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Copycat recipe brings all those beloved flavors right to your kitchen.

The secret is layering perfectly tender, juicy grilled chicken with a rich, homemade honey BBQ sauce, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon, all piled onto a toasted bun.

Skip the drive-thru and easily recreate this satisfying, crave-worthy sandwich that’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next barbecue or casual dinner.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Ultimate Flavor Duplication: This recipe perfectly recreates the smoky, sweet, and savory flavor of the Applebee’s original.
• Juicy Grilled Chicken: You get perfectly tender, juicy grilled chicken every time, which pairs flawlessly with the rich sauce.
• Better Than Takeout: It’s faster, cheaper, and you can customize the toppings to create a restaurant-quality sandwich right at home.
• Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce: You’ll make an easy, sticky, homemade honey BBQ sauce that is far superior to anything store-bought.
• Easy Weeknight Winner: It’s a satisfying, crowd-pleasing sandwich that comes together quickly for a fun weeknight dinner or game-day meal.

Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless): Main protein; grilled tenderly for perfect sandwich texture.
• Olive Oil: Used for coating chicken to prevent sticking and add flavor.
• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Simple seasonings enhance the chicken’s natural flavor.
• BBQ Sauce (Bottled): Base provides smoky, tangy backbone for the sauce.
• Honey: Sweet liquid adds necessary sticky glaze and sweetness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Splash of acid balances the sauce’s rich sweetness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Dark condiment adds essential, deep, savory umami flavor.
• Bacon: Crispy strips provide salty, smoky crunch on top.
• Cheddar Cheese (Sliced): Sharp, tangy cheese melts beautifully over warm chicken.
• Sandwich Buns (Brioche or Kaiser): Soft, sturdy bread holds up well to the saucy filling.
• Lettuce and Tomato: Crisp vegetables provide fresh contrast to rich sauce.

How To Make Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Step One: In a small saucepan, combine the bottled BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have fully melded. Remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside. It will thicken further as it cools.

Step Two: Trim the boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If they are very thick, slice them horizontally to create two thinner cutlets; this ensures fast and even cooking. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step Three: Grill the chicken over medium-high heat (or cook in a skillet) for 5–7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush both sides of the chicken generously with the Honey BBQ Sauce. Top each piece with a slice of cheddar cheese and cover the grill or skillet briefly to allow the cheese to melt.

Step Four: While the chicken finishes, cook your bacon strips until they are perfectly crispy. Lightly butter and toast the sandwich buns on the grill or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes. Spread a small amount of remaining Honey BBQ Sauce on the bottom bun. Place the cheesy, sauced chicken on top. Add the crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Top with the other bun half and serve immediately!

Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Copycat Recipe Tips

• Pound or Butterfly the Chicken: If your chicken breasts are very thick, slice them horizontally (butterfly) or pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly without drying out.
• Don’t Rush the Sauce Simmer: Allow the homemade Honey BBQ Sauce to simmer for the full 5-8 minutes. This step is crucial for thickening the sauce slightly and fully blending the flavors, giving it that perfect sticky consistency.
• Toast the Bun: Always toast your bun! Brushing the bun lightly with butter and toasting it on the grill or in a pan prevents the bread from getting soggy from the juicy chicken and thick BBQ sauce.
• Two-Stage Saucing: Brush the chicken with the Honey BBQ sauce only during the last 2 minutes of cooking. If you sauce too early, the sugars in the sauce can burn and cause a bitter flavor or a tough crust.
• Rest the Chicken: Once the chicken is off the heat, let it rest for 3–5 minutes before placing it on the bun. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken is as tender and juicy as possible.

Storing And Reheating Instructions

• Storing Leftovers: Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the buns, lettuce, and tomato separate to prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until hot, then re-glaze with extra BBQ sauce for the best flavor and texture. Once the chicken is hot, assemble the sandwich immediately with fresh, toasted buns and toppings.

Applebee’s Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Copycat Recipe Faqs

Can I use pre-cooked chicken or chicken tenders? Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken breast strips or tenders for a faster meal. Just coat them generously with the Honey BBQ Sauce and heat them in the oven or air fryer until hot before assembly.

What kind of cheese works best? While cheddar cheese is traditional, you can easily substitute it with Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack (for a little heat), or even Swiss cheese. The goal is a cheese that melts well.

What if I don’t have a grill? You can easily cook the chicken in a skillet or grill pan on the stove, or bake it in the oven. For a quick option, use the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

How can I make the chicken extra juicy? For maximum juiciness, try marinating the chicken in a simple mixture of milk or buttermilk for 30 minutes before seasoning and grilling. Also, always ensure you don’t overcook the chicken past the 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.

Is the homemade Honey BBQ Sauce spicy? No, the base sauce is typically just sweet and smoky. If you prefer a kick, you can stir in a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the simmering sauce mixture.

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