Sizzling Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe for Spicy Bliss

Crispy chicken transforms into a mouthwatering hot honey sensation that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Spicy and sweet flavors collide in this epic sandwich creation.

Regional street food inspiration meets homemade comfort in every delectable bite.

Perfectly balanced heat from the honey glaze brings remarkable depth to each layer.

Crunchy chicken nestled between soft buns promises an unforgettable meal experience.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques ensure you can craft this restaurant-quality sandwich in your own kitchen.

Let’s turn an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Reasons Hot Honey Sandwiches Stand Out

• Tackle Versatile Cooking Methods: Enjoy the flexibility of preparing this chicken using an oven, air fryer, or skillet, making it perfect for any kitchen setup or cooking preference.
• Create Customizable Flavor Explosion: Personalize the sandwich with your favorite toppings like pickles, red onion, or mayonnaise, allowing everyone to craft their ideal hot honey chicken experience.
• Master Quick and Satisfying Meal: Achieve restaurant-quality chicken sandwiches at home with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, delivering a delicious meal that impresses family and friends.
• Spice Up Your Comfort Food: Elevate traditional chicken sandwiches with a zesty hot honey glaze that adds a sweet and spicy kick, transforming an ordinary dish into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Ingredients in Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein that serves as the main component of the sandwich.

• Flour: Provides a crispy coating for the chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Red Pepper: Seasonings that add depth and spice to the breading.
• Eggs: Helps the breading stick to the chicken and creates a golden crust.

• Cooking Oil Spray: Ensures even browning and prevents sticking during cooking.

• Hot Honey: Adds a sweet and spicy glaze to the crispy chicken.
• Buns: Provides the base for the sandwich.
• Mayonnaise, Pickles, Red Onion: Classic sandwich toppings that add moisture and fresh flavors.

Making Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches at Home

Step 1: Crafting the Flavor Base

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Red pepper

In the second bowl, whisk eggs until smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Preparing the Chicken

Carefully butterfly chicken breasts to create thin, even pieces. Use paper towels to completely dry the chicken, ensuring a crispy coating.

Dunk each piece into the egg wash, then generously coat with the seasoned flour mixture. Arrange the coated chicken on a baking sheet.

Step 3: Cooking the Chicken

Choose your cooking method:

Oven Method:

Preheat to 375F. Spritz chicken with cooking spray and bake for 14-16 minutes until the internal temperature hits 165F.

Air Fryer Method:

Spray chicken with cooking oil and cook at 375F for 12-14 minutes. Verify the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Skillet Method:

Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165F.

Step 4: Building the Sandwich

Drizzle hot honey lavishly over both sides of the crispy chicken. Layer the chicken on a toasted bun.

• Mayonnaise
• Pickles
• Red onion slices

Step 5: Serving Up Deliciousness

Serve the sandwiches immediately while they’re hot and wonderfully crispy. Enjoy the perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and crunchy flavors!

Handy Tips for Chicken Sandwich Perfection

• Pat chicken completely dry before dredging to ensure maximum flour adherence and a super crispy exterior.
• Butterfly chicken breasts evenly to guarantee consistent thickness and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken's internal temperature, ensuring food safety without overcooking.
• Choose a neutral oil with high smoke point like vegetable or canola for even frying and best flavor development.
• Modify red pepper quantity in flour mixture to personalize heat intensity according to individual spice preferences.

Hot Honey Sandwiches With a Twist or Two

• Spicy Caribbean Jerk Chicken Sandwich: Replace garlic and onion powder with authentic jerk seasoning, adding allspice and thyme for a vibrant Caribbean flavor profile.
• Korean Gochujang Chicken Sandwich: Swap hot honey with gochujang sauce, incorporate sesame seeds in breading, and top with quick pickled cucumbers for Korean-inspired zest.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Sandwich: Blend dried oregano, basil, and za'atar into flour mixture, drizzle with tzatziki sauce instead of hot honey, and add crumbled feta cheese.
• Southern Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Sandwich: Mix ranch seasoning into flour coating, marinate chicken in buttermilk beforehand, and serve with crisp coleslaw and ranch dressing.

Great Pairings for Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

• Crisp Craft Beer Companion: Select a hoppy IPA or light wheat beer to balance the sandwich's spicy-sweet notes, cutting through the richness while complementing the hot honey's complexity.
• Fresh Zesty Side Kick: Serve alongside a tangy cucumber and dill salad or quick pickled vegetables, which will provide a cool, acidic contrast to the warm, spicy chicken.
• Cool Creamy Dip Partner: Whip up a quick ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping, creating a creamy counterpoint that smooths out the sandwich's fiery intensity and adds extra flavor depth.

Best Way to Keep Sandwiches Delicious Later

• Wrap individual chicken sandwiches in aluminum foil or place in airtight containers. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the bread stays separate from wet ingredients to prevent sogginess.
• Disassemble sandwich components before freezing. Store cooked chicken in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Separate buns and toppings to maintain texture.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Unwrap frozen chicken and place on baking sheet. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Toast buns separately to restore crispiness.

FAQs

• What makes the breading crispy?

The seasoned flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper creates a flavorful and crispy coating. Dredging the chicken in egg wash before coating helps the flour stick better and ensures a crunchy exterior.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great for this recipe. They’re often juicier and more flavorful. Just ensure they reach the same internal temperature of 165F (74C) for safe cooking.

• How spicy is the hot honey chicken?

The heat level depends on the hot honey you use. Some brands are mild, while others are quite spicy. You can adjust the heat by choosing a hot honey with your preferred spice level or mixing regular honey with a few drops of hot sauce.

Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 36 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Spicy and sweet hot honey chicken sandwiches deliver a flavor explosion that tickles taste buds with Southern-style charm. Crispy breaded chicken, drizzled with zesty honey and nestled between pillowy brioche buns, promises a delightful meal you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 large chicken breasts

Dry Coating Mix:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper

Wet Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil (more as needed for pan frying)
• 1/3 cup hot honey (more as needed)

Toppings:

• Pickles
• Red onion slices
• Buns (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty seasoning blend by combining flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper in a shallow dish, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
2. In a separate shallow bowl, vigorously whisk eggs until well blended, creating a smooth coating medium.
3. Carefully butterfly chicken breasts to ensure uniform thickness, then meticulously pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
4. Dunk each chicken piece into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then completely encase in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring full coverage.
5. For oven preparation, heat to 375F and position chicken on a prepared baking sheet. Lightly mist with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
6. Bake for 14-16 minutes, rotating midway, until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F and develops a golden-brown exterior.
7. Alternatively, air fryer method: cook at 375F for 12-14 minutes, spraying with oil and checking internal temperature.
8. Skillet option: heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat, cooking chicken for approximately 6 minutes per side until achieving a crisp, golden finish.
9. Once cooked, liberally drizzle hot honey over the chicken, coating both sides to create a sweet and spicy glaze.
10. Select toasted buns and layer with mayonnaise, crisp pickle slices, and thinly sliced red onions.
11. Carefully place the glazed chicken onto prepared buns, creating a mouthwatering sandwich that balances crispy, sweet, and savory flavors.
12. Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and crisp, ready to delight taste buds with its complex flavor profile.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is completely dry before breading to achieve maximum crispiness and help coating stick perfectly.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, preventing undercooking and ensuring food safety.
• Adjust hot honey spiciness by selecting mild or extra-hot varieties based on personal heat tolerance.
• Gluten-free alternatives work great by substituting regular flour with almond or rice flour for similar crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 1187 kcal
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 2460 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 92 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 112 g
• Cholesterol: 260 mg