When it comes to topping a delicious BBQ chicken sandwich, the cheese choice can make or break the experience. The right cheese adds a wonderful creaminess and flavor complement to smoky, saucy pulled chicken. However, the wrong cheese risks overpowering the other flavors or turning into a rubbery mess.
Quick Answer
For BBQ chicken sandwiches, provolone and cheddar are the best cheese options. Their flavors pair well with the sweet and tangy barbecue sauce and tender chicken, while their meltability ensures an optimal texture. Provolone offers a mild, creamy taste with a slight sharpness, while cheddar provides a nutty, buttery richness.
Factors for the Perfect Cheese
When considering the ideal cheese for BBQ chicken sandwiches, a few key factors come into play:
- Complementary flavor – You want a cheese that enhances, but doesn’t overwhelm the chicken and barbecue sauce. Sharp cheeses risk clashing.
- Meltability – The cheese should fully melt into the sandwich for even coverage and gooey texture.
- Moisture content – Low-moisture cheeses hold up well under the broiler without leaking oils.
- Affordability – Since cheese is a sandwich staple, an affordable option helps control food costs.
Provolone
Provolone checks all the boxes for the perfect BBQ chicken sandwich cheese. This semi-soft Italian cheese has:
- Mild, slightly nutty flavor – Complements the barbecue sauce without overpowering it.
- Creamy texture when melted – Provides an ultra-smooth bite.
- Good meltability – Melts evenly into the chicken and sauce.
- Low moisture content – Doesn’t leak oils or turn rubbery from high heat.
- Affordable price point – Keeps sandwich costs down compared to pricier cheeses.
Provolone comes in a range of styles from mild to aged and sharp. For BBQ chicken sandwiches, the milder versions offer the most complementary flavor and texture.
Cheddar
Cheddar is another excellent go-to option. This widely popular cheese brings:
- Rich, nutty taste – Adds indulgent flavor notes.
- Smooth, velvety texture – Melts into the perfect gooey bite.
- Good meltability – Flows evenly when melted.
- Low moisture levels – Avoids oil slick and slipping.
- Budget-friendly price – One of the most affordable cheese choices.
For BBQ chicken sandwiches, avoid extra-sharp cheddar varieties, which can overtake the other flavors. Mild or medium cheddar allows the barbecue sauce and chicken to shine.
Other Great Cheese Options
While provolone and cheddar take top honors, other cheeses can work nicely too:
- Monterey Jack – Mild, buttery flavor with excellent meltability.
- Mozzarella – Delivers creamy texture, though can be overpowered by bold flavors.
- Pepper Jack – Spicy kick complements the barbecue sauce.
- Gouda – Smoky, nutty notes pair well with chicken.
- Swiss – Adds a sweet, nutty contrast to the savory flavors.
Cheeses to Avoid
On the flip side, some cheese options don’t work well in BBQ chicken sandwiches:
- Blue cheese – Too pungent and overpowering.
- Feta – Wrong texture, flavors clash.
- American – Artificial flavor doesn’t complement sauce.
- Parmesan – Hard texture doesn’t melt properly.
- Goat cheese – Distinct tang doesn’t pair well with chicken and barbecue sauce.
Key Considerations
When selecting your cheese, keep these key considerations in mind:
- Get the melt right – Use sliced or shredded cheese to ensure it melts evenly into the sandwich.
- Consider mixing cheeses – Pairing provolone and cheddar gives you the best of both.
- Watch the proportions – Too much cheese overwhelms the other flavors.
- Melt under low heat – High heat makes cheese tough and rubbery.
- Think about diet – Low-fat varieties work for health-conscious diners.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, provolone and cheddar rise above the rest when it comes to the ideal cheese for BBQ chicken sandwiches. Their creamy textures, excellent meltability, and complementary flavors make them natural choices. Just be sure to use the right style and proportion to let the barbecue sauce and chicken shine too. With the perfect cheese to pull your sandwich together, you’ll have happy customers with that first delicious bite.