Caramelized Onion BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

 

We've had some crazy weather around here. A week or two ago there were icicles hanging from our swingset, which has never happened before. Today we have a forecast of 70 and lots of time spent in the backyard. This morning we've been busy making Girl Scout Thin Mint Mini Cheesecakes and that's probably all the time I'm going to spend in the kitchen. Fortunately I have a quick and easy plan for dinner- caramelized onion BBQ chicken sandwiches. When I was pregnant with Baby Strawberry I wanted caramelized onions ALL THE TIME. That and chocolate chip cookies, but those don't make a very good/healthy dinner. These sandwiches fill that need and are hearty enough for a cold day, in case that's what you're having right now. They're also quick and flexible, in case you're having such great weather that there's not time to make something fancy.

You can dress up or down these sandwiches as much as you like. Depending on the time, I use rotisserie chicken or chicken I've roasted myself. Buns from the deli, or homemade, if you're feeling ambitious. I slice up the onions and saute them over medium low heat while I prep the rest of my ingredients. It takes no time and tastes SO good. I know it's not really a fancy recipe, but more of a suggestion for a yummy dinner (that will leave you time to bake up something really great!)

I'll be back next with Thin Mint Mini Cheesecakes- the perfect treat to dress up those delicious cookies that those rotten, adorable girl scouts are bringing around trying to ruin everyone's new years resolutions (we're still thinking about those, right? Maybe?)

Caramelized Onion BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
from Anne Strawberry

2 cups shredded chicken
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 slices your favorite cheese (I prefer pepperjack)
1 cup of greens- spinach, romaine, etc, washed and dried
1/4 cup your favorite bbq sauce  (homemade recipe below if you're feeling ambitious)

Saute the onions over medium low heat with olive oil until browned and delicious. Stir frequently. Assemble sandwiches with bbq sauce, meat, greens, any other veggies, cheese, and onions. Enjoy!

Homemade Barbeque Sauce
from Anne Strawberry
1 C. Ketchup (spring for the Heinz... you know it's the best!)
1/3 C. Brown Sugar
1/4 C. Soy Sauce
2 T. Worchestershire Sauce
1 T. Chili Powder
1 t. Sriracha hot sauce
2 T. Dijon Mustard (use more if you like a really mustardy sauce... but it's strong!)
1 T. Tomato Paste (I like the kind in the tube you can store in the fridge)
1 T. Garlic Powder
Dash of Ginger
Dash of Cumin

Whisk all ingredients into a bowl and refridgerate. Serve with BBQ chicken. If desired, baste meat with sauce in the last few minutes of cooking so the sugar doesn't burn. Be sure to throw out the extra sauce after basting (or cook it up) so it's not contaminated from the raw chicken.