Looking for the most delicious Chicken Sandwich recipe? These Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are tender and juicy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and covered in the most amazing hot honey sauce. Serve with a side of fries and creamy coleslaw for a crave-worthy meal that will make your taste buds sing!
For even more sweet and spicy goodness , see our entire collection of Hot Honey Recipes. We have tested and perfected everything from condiments to cocktail syrup.
PSA: These hot honey chicken sandwiches are next-level delicious! The sweet and spicy version of fried chicken sandwiches and easily better than any fast food chain including Wendy's. This recipe wins all chicken sandwich wars!
When you realize just how amazing this homemade hot honey sauce is, you will want to try it on everything! We have hot honey chicken wings and hot honey chicken sliders (using shredded chicken) to start, but feel free to try it on pizza, biscuits, or sweet potatoes.
Of our many go-to dinner recipes, this spicy chicken sandwich recipe is one of our favorite things. They were originally inspired by this Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich recipe, but we made the sauce extra flavorful and fried the chicken... because fried is just better.
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Why this recipe is great
- Addictive flavor - The hot honey sauce is sweet, spicy, and smoky. It's killer good!
- Tender and juicy - We marinate the chicken in buttermilk to keep it tender and moist.
- Crispy crust - The outside gets deliciously golden brown, and crispy plus it doesn't fall off.
- Everyone loves it - The chef's favorite recipes are the ones everyone is excited to eat. This is one of those recipes.
- Versatile- equally as good for a weeknight dinner as it is for serving to a crowd! It's a staple on our collection of Game Day Recipes.
Whoa, these things are delish, better than any spicy chicken sandwich I've ever eaten out!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Aspen
Ingredients for hot honey chicken sandwiches
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Buttermilk: To tenderize, moisten, and add flavor.
- Flour: Just all-purpose flour.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Adds extra crispy, crunchy textures.
- Baking powder: Helps the coating get extra crispy.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Oil: I prefer canola or vegetable oil for frying chicken. Olive oil is not a good choice.
- Hot honey sauce: Just honey, butter, and seasonings. This adds more dynamic flavor than just hot sauce.
- Hamburger buns: I recommend splurging on a good brioche bun. If you don't have brioche buns, a good potato bun is also good.
- Toppings (optional): Shredded lettuce and ranch dressing are great, or toss some coleslaw in this creamy dressing. So good!
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make hot honey chicken sandwiches
Marinate the chicken in buttermilk: Lightly sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt, then place in a wide bowl and cover with buttermilk. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
Coat the chicken: Combine flour, panko, and seasonings in a shallow dish. Shake the excess buttermilk marinade off a piece of chicken, then press into the flour mixture until thoroughly covered. Set aside on a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes - this helps the coating stick without falling off in the oil. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Cook the chicken: In a deep skillet - we use a cast iron skillet (affiliate) - heat ½ - ¾ inch of oil over medium-high heat. To test the temperature of the oil, drop a crumb of breading in it - if the crumb sinks, then rises to the top and sizzles, it's ready. Fry 4 pieces of chicken in the hot oil for 4-6 minutes on each side, then place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet with a paper towel underneath. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Add hot honey sauce: Brush 1 tablespoon of spicy hot honey sauce over the crispy coating on each chicken breast. Add an extra drizzle of hot honey if you want even more flavor.
I highly recommend serving hot honey chicken on a toasted brioche bun. Spread a little mayonnaise, ranch dressing, or coleslaw dressing on the bottom bun, then add on chicken breast. Top with creamy coleslaw or crunchy lettuce and enjoy!
What to serve with honey hot chicken sandwiches
- potato chips
- fruit salad
- french fries
- coleslaw
- potato salad
- lemonade
- iced tea with this concentrate
For a crowd
This hot honey chicken sandwich recipe is not the easiest to serve to crowd, but not impossible. I suggest making the hot honey sauce ahead and refrigerating it for up to two weeks. Gently reheat in 350º F oven when ready to use. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container.
FAQs
Our hot honey sauce has a sweet, spicy, and smokey flavor. It's delicious! You can even adjust how spicy it is by adding or removing some cayenne pepper. Besides making hot honey chicken sandwiches, here's another 15 ways to use hot honey.
The key to keep the breading from falling off is to let the coated pieces of chicken sit for at least five minutes before frying it. This allows the dry coating to soak in the buttermilk and adhere to the chicken.
I recommend using actual buttermilk for best results.
Allow your excess oil to cool, then pour it into a plastic container or glass jar that can be thrown away. You can also soak up the oil with paper towels and throw them away in the trash.
Serve these sandwiches with chips, french fries, macaroni salad, potato salad, or fresh fruit salad.
Tips & tricks
- For a spicier version of this hot honey chicken sandwich, add more cayenne to the hot honey sauce.
- Allow the coated chicken to sit for 5 minutes before frying to prevent the breading from falling off.
- Oil temperature is key. The oil is hot enough when a crumb dropped in sinks, quickly rises to the top, and sizzles. See my notes in the recipe card for more tips.
- Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Serve with ranch or creamy coleslaw for a cooling sauce to complement the spicy chicken.
Recipe
Crazy Good Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich (Crispy And Juicy!)
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts trimmed and cut in half horizontally, about ½ inch thick
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 recipe of Hot Honey Sauce
- canola oil for frying
- 8 hamburger buns Toasting is optional, but do it.
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Coleslaw
- homemade coleslaw dressing recipe *see notes for tips (or ranch)
Instructions
- Sprinkle chicken lightly with kosher salt on each side. Place in a large bowl, then cover with buttermilk, making sure chicken is fully submerged. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1½ cups buttermilk
- In a shallow dish, combine the dry ingredients and seasonings. Set aside.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Make the hot honey sauce and set aside.1 recipe of Hot Honey Sauce
- Once chicken has marinated, use tongs to remove from the buttermilk. Shake off the excess, then coat both sides in the dry mixture, pressing gently to ensure it is thoroughly covered. Set on a cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken. Allow coated chicken to sit for 5 minutes.
- In a deep skillet (we use a cast iron skillet) add ½-¾ inch of oil. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. To test the heat, drop a crumb of breading in the oil. It should sink to the bottom, rise right to the top, and sizzle. If it rises slowly the oil is not hot enough. If it burns quickly the oil is too hot.canola oil
- Add 4 pieces of chicken to the oil, starting with the pieces breaded first. Cook on each side for 4-6 minutes, or until deeply golden and crispy. Remove and set on a cooling rack set over a cookie sheet to collect drips. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of hot honey sauce over each piece of chicken.
- Toast your buns with a bit of butter in a skillet or under the broiler (this is optional, but do it). If using, combine your coleslaw with ranch dressing or a homemade dressing. Assemble the sandwiches with desired toppings and serve.8 hamburger buns, Shredded lettuce, Coleslaw, homemade coleslaw dressing recipe
Notes
- For a spicier version, add more cayenne to the hot honey sauce.
- Allow the coated chicken to sit for 5 minutes before frying to prevent the breading from falling off.
- Oil temperature is key. The oil is hot enough when a crumb dropped in sinks, quickly rises to the top, and sizzles. See my notes in the recipe card for more tips.
- Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Serve with ranch or creamy coleslaw for a cooling sauce to complement the spicy chicken.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Aspen says
Whoa, these things are delish, better than any spicy chicken sandwich I've ever eaten out! I'm not a fan of things being more than mildly spicy, so removing cayenne is a helpful tip. Great recipe! This would be so perfect for the Superbowl...
Danielle says
Thanks for your feedback! I love the idea of serving them at a game day party!