Crispy hot honey chicken sandwiches
A crispy hot honey chicken sandwich has a crunchy panko crust, juicy meat and a sticky sweet-spicy glaze. Creamy slaw and pickles cut through the richness on a toasted bun. It takes 35 minutes and tastes like your favorite fast-food spot, only better.
- 35 minTotal time
- 2Servings
- 830kcal / serving
- 44 gProtein
The science: why this works
Even thickness, even cooking
Thick and thin parts of a cutlet cook at different speeds. Bashing it flat means the whole piece reaches 165°F (74°C) together. The thin edges stay moist instead of drying out before the middle is done.
Learn: Cooking juicy chicken breast →Panko stays crunchy
Panko flakes are airy and jagged, so they trap hot air and fry up extra crisp. The egg acts like glue. Fry at medium heat so the crust browns by the time the center is cooked through.
Learn: Crispy chicken skin →Sweet heat balance
Honey adds sugar, and hot sauce adds heat and acid. Warming them together makes a pourable glaze that clings. Pickle brine in the slaw adds tang that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken.
Learn: Cooling a too-hot dish →Crispy hot honey chicken sandwiches
35 minutes · 2 servings · American · Sandwich
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings
- 300 gboneless chicken thigh
- 1egg
- 60 gpanko
- 1 tsppaprika
- 3 tbspvegetable oil
- 2 tbsphoney
- 1 tsphot sauce
- 2burger buns
- 100 gcabbage, finely shredded
- 2 tbspmayonnaise
- 1pickle, sliced
- Salt
Method
Tips for the best result
- Cook the thickest piece to 165°F (74°C) and cut to check.
- Rest the chicken on a paper towel, not a plate, so the bottom stays crisp.
- Brush on the hot honey right before serving.
Swaps
- Swap the chicken thigh for chicken breast cutlets, pounded thin.
- Swap the hot sauce for chili flakes steeped in the honey.
- Swap the cabbage for shredded lettuce for a milder crunch.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 400°F (200°C) oven until 165°F (74°C) to re-crisp. Store slaw separately.
Crispy hot honey chicken sandwiches: questions
How do you keep fried chicken crispy?
Rest it on a rack or paper towel rather than a flat plate. Serve soon after frying. Add the glaze at the last minute.
What is hot honey?
Hot honey is honey infused or mixed with chili or hot sauce. It is sweet and spicy. Here you warm honey with hot sauce.
Can I bake it instead?
Yes, bake on a rack at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes, turning once, until 165°F (74°C). Spray with oil for a crisp crust. It will be less crunchy than frying.
