This Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Sandwich starts with juicy grilled chicken thighs glazed in a sweet, smoky, spicy sauce, then piled onto a brioche bun with cool ranch and crisp lettuce. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you close your eyes on the first bite.
I’ve been chasing the sweet-heat combo on the grill for years, and raspberry chipotle sauce is one of my favorite ways to get there. Boneless chicken thighs stay juicy over direct heat, and a few passes of glaze on the grates build a sticky, caramelized swicy coating.
What Is a Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
A raspberry chipotle chicken sandwich is grilled chicken thighs brushed with a sweet and smoky raspberry chipotle sauce, served on a bun with a cool, creamy dressing to balance the heat. It’s a “swicy” flavor combo. Sweet raspberries meet smoky chipotle chiles stacked into a handheld sandwich. It’s anything but boring.
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Heat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat (375-400F degrees).
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Season: Rub the chicken thighs with avocado oil and Girls Can Grill Chicken Rub.
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Grill: Place the chicken on the grill over direct heat. Grill for about 5 minutes.
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Glaze: Flip and brush with raspberry chipotle sauce. Grill for about 2 minutes. Flip again and brush again with sauce. Flip once more, cooking until the chicken reaches 165-175F internal temperature.
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Build Sandwich: Spread dressing on both sides of the buns. Add shredded lettuce to the bottom bun, top with grilled chicken, and close with the top bun.
Calories: 711kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 32gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 259mgSodium: 1125mgPotassium: 411mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 955IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What you’ll need
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Stay juicier than chicken breast on the grill and hold up well to basting.
- Avocado oil: Helps the rub adhere and prevents sticking on the grates. You can also use olive oil or canola oil.
- Girls Can Grill Chicken Rub: Builds a savory base layer under the sauce.
- Raspberry chipotle sauce: The star of the sandwich. It’s sweet, smoky, and a little spicy. You can make your own or buy the pre-bottled stuff.
- Brioche buns: Sturdy enough to hold the juicy chicken and toppings without falling apart.
- Ranch or bleu cheese dressing: A cool, creamy contrast to the sweet heat of the sauce.
- Shredded lettuce: Adds crunch and freshness.
Substitutions: Swap chicken thighs for boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer, though thighs stay juicier over direct heat. Bleu cheese dressing brings more tang than ranch if you want extra bite.
See the full recipe card above for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to Cook Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Sandwiches
Get your grill hot and have your raspberry chipotle sauce and a basting brush ready before the chicken hits the grates. This sandwich comes together in just a few passes of the flame.
Step 1: Heat the grill
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 350-375F degrees
Step 2: Season the chicken
Coat the chicken thighs with avocado oil, then season evenly with Girls Can Grill Chicken Rub.
Step 3: Start grilling
Place the chicken over direct heat and grill for about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Glaze and flip
Flip the chicken and brush with raspberry chipotle sauce. Grill for about 2 minutes.
Flip again and brush with another layer of sauce. Repeat once more, flipping and glazing until the chicken reaches 165-175F internal temperature.
Step 5: Build the sandwich
Spread ranch or bleu cheese dressing on both cut sides of the brioche buns.
Add shredded lettuce to the bottom bun, top with a grilled chicken thigh, and close with the top bun.
How to Serve Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Sandwiches
Serve the sandwiches right away, so the buns don’t get soggy. They go great with a side of chips or sweet potato fries.
Storage
It’s best to store leftovers before you build the sandwich. Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can enjoy the chicken cold or reheat it in the microwave.
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- Don’t flip early. Let the chicken sear over direct heat for the full 5 minutes before you start glazing, or you’ll lose the base char.
- Brush the sauce on in thin layers over multiple flips rather than one heavy coat. It builds a stickier, more caramelized glaze without burning the sugar.
- For extra texture, you can toast the buns cut-side down on the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though thighs tend to stay juicier over high direct heat. Cook them to 165F degrees.
It’s more sweet-and-smoky than fiery, though heat level depends on the specific sauce used. If you make it from scratch, you can control the heat more.
Yes. Grill the chicken in advance and then build the sandwiches to order.
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