Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

If you love a little kick in your comfort food, these Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches are about to become your new obsession. Imagine crispy, juicy chicken tucked inside a pillowy brioche bun, topped with Pepperjack cheese, sriracha aioli, crunchy pickles, crisp lettuce, and finished with a magical drizzle of hot honey—this sandwich is sweet, spicy, crunchy, and 100% irresistible!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches is how each ingredient does some seriously heavy lifting for flavor, texture, and that signature craveable contrast. You don’t need a ton to make these sandwiches, but it’s worth choosing each one with care for the very best bite!

• Chicken breast pieces: Boneless, skinless breasts are easy to work with and get super juicy in the buttermilk marinade—pound or slice them to an even thickness for the perfect fry.
• Buttermilk: This tangy marinade tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with flavor before frying—it’s the not-so-secret trick for that dreamy interior.
• Hot sauce: A dash kicks up the marinade, contributing subtle heat that builds with every bite.
• Flour: The foundation of that crispy, craggy crust—seasoned up for maximum flavor.
• Salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne: Balancing seasoning and heat—feel free to adjust the cayenne if you want milder spice.
• Peanut oil (or another high smoke-point oil): Guarantees a golden crunch without burning; it’s the key to authentic fried flavor.
• Brioche buns: Soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold all the saucy, crunchy goodness together.
• Sriracha aioli: Spicy, creamy, and unexpectedly flavorful—it sets these sandwiches far apart from the ordinary.
• Hot honey: Grab a bottle (like Mike’s) or make your own for that irresistible sweet-spicy finish on top of your crisp chicken.
• Pepper jack cheese: Melty, tangy, and full of peppery bite for another layer of heat.
• Lettuce leaves: The fresh crunch balances out all the spicy, saucy richness—a little green goes a long way!
• Dill pickle chips: Don’t skip these! Their acidity and crunch are the finishing touch that brings everything together.

Variations

What I really love about these Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches is how easy they are to riff on based on what you have or what mood you’re in. A few tweaks and you’ve got a totally new flavor direction—run with your favorites or get creative!

• Make it gluten-free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the coating so everyone can join in the crispy chicken fun!
• Spice swap: Use smoked paprika or chipotle powder instead of cayenne for a smokier, deeper heat if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Buttermilk substitute: If you’re out of buttermilk, add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to whole milk and let it sit for a few minutes—it’ll work in a pinch!
• Change up the buns: Not into brioche? Potato rolls, pretzel buns, or even classic sesame buns are all delicious options.
• Add extra crunch: Toss some shredded cabbage or coleslaw onto your sandwich for a fresh, tangy twist.

How to Make Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken

If your chicken breasts are a bit thick, pound them between two pieces of plastic wrap or carefully slice them in half lengthwise—you’re aiming for pieces about 1.5 inches thick. This helps everything cook evenly and speeds up frying later. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, pepper, and a generous splash of hot sauce. Add the chicken, making sure every piece is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour (overnight is even better for flavor and tenderness!).

Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station

About 30 minutes before you want to fry, pull the chicken from the fridge to take the chill off. In a large zip-top bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne—this makes it super simple to coat the chicken without a mess. Set a rack over a baking tray nearby; you’ll use this for draining your fresh-from-the-pan chicken so it stays crispy on all sides.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Take each marinated chicken piece from the bowl, letting extra buttermilk drip off, then drop into the flour mixture bag. Seal and shake—think “chicken maracas!”—until each piece is thoroughly coated in the spiced flour. This technique creates those crunchy ridges we all crave in Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches.

Step 4: Fry to Crispy Perfection

Fill a heavy skillet or Dutch oven with peanut oil to about 1–2 inches depth. Heat it over medium-high until it reaches 325°F (an instant-read thermometer is your BFF here). Gently place chicken pieces into the oil, but don’t crowd the pan. Cover and fry for 5–10 minutes, then flip and fry uncovered for about 10 more minutes until bronzed and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to the rack and sprinkle lightly with salt while it’s hot—this is where the magic happens!

Step 5: Assemble Your Sandwiches

Now for everyone’s favorite part! Toast the brioche buns if you love a little extra crunch. Slather both sides generously with sriracha aioli. Place a piece of that hot, crispy chicken on the bottom bun, drizzle with hot honey (don’t hold back!), top with Pepperjack cheese, lettuce, and a heap of crunchy dill pickle chips. Crown with the top bun and dive in while everything is still warm and melty. There you have it—the ultimate Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches experience!

How to Serve Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Garnishes

Finish your Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches with extra pickle chips, a sprinkle of fresh chives, or a dash more hot honey for dramatic, glossy flair. A quick toss of sliced scallions or a little fresh cracked black pepper over the cheese adds even more color and zip—small touches, big payoff!

Side Dishes

You can’t go wrong with classic sides like waffle fries, sweet potato fries, or spicy slaw to balance the richness of the sandwich. Or, offer a simple green salad tossed in a light, tangy vinaigrette to keep things fresh and vibrant. Pickled veggies and kettle chips also work wonders for contrast and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Wrap your sandwiches in parchment paper stamped with a custom sticker for a “gourmet to-go” effect, or stack them on a big platter drizzled with extra hot honey for a party-ready look. For a fun dinner, offer a “toppings bar” with various aiolis, cheeses, and pickles and let everyone build their own Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich masterpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let leftover fried chicken cool completely, then store in an airtight container (place a paper towel on the bottom to help absorb moisture) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the freshest texture, keep buns and toppings separate until ready to assemble more Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches.

Freezing

You can freeze the fried chicken (without toppings or bun, please!) for up to two months. Lay pieces on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag once solid. Thaw chicken in the fridge before reheating so it crisps up properly.

Reheating

To keep things crispy, reheat chicken in a 400°F oven (or air fryer) for about 10–12 minutes until hot and crunchy throughout—skip the microwave if you want to preserve that signature crunch! Then reassemble your Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches as usual.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about biting into homemade Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwiches—the crisp, the drip of honey, the playful heat, and all the bold, contrasting flavors in every layer. You truly don’t need a restaurant for fried chicken bliss. Gather a few friends, set out all the fixings, and enjoy one of the most irresistible sandwiches you’ll ever make!

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