Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

This hot honey fried chicken sandwich has everything a good sandwich needs. Golden, crispy chicken. Sweet-spicy hot honey. A toasted brioche bun, spicy mayo, and crunchy pickles. It tastes like something from your favorite sandwich shop, made right in your own kitchen.

What makes this one worth making is the coating. Mixing cornstarch with flour makes the coating lighter and crispier. It gives you a crunchy crust that breaks nicely with each bite.

Plan ahead for the marinade. Once that’s done, the rest comes together fast. if you love Grilled Chicken recipe, try this one too.

Recipe Snapshot

Why I Love This Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich

1. Restaurant quality test at home. A really good fried chicken sandwich can feel like something you’d order from your favorite restaurant. I love making this kind of crispy homemade hot honey chicken sandwich! Once the chicken is marinated and coated, it comes together in just a few simple steps. I like to serve it on a toasted bun with my favorite side dishes. It’s a delicious meal that I really love.
2. That crispy chicken! The best part of this sandwich is the contrast between its crispy, golden crust and juicy, tender chicken. I really love that crispy layer surrounding the tender chicken inside. It’s even better on a toasted bun with creamy sauce and crunchy pickles. I love mixing all the flavors and textures together. It’s that classic fried chicken sandwich taste that’s truly special.
3. Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Hot honey is what makes this spicy chicken sandwich different from an ordinary fried chicken sandwich. A little honey adds a sweet flavor, while the chili brings a hint of spice. You can adjust the amount of spice to your liking, making it easy to customize the sandwich to your taste.
4. Flavor Balancing. Fried chicken can be rich, but the tangy pickles and spicy-creamy sauce beautifully balance that flavor. Sweet hot honey not only adds sweetness but also brings a new layer to the chicken’s flavor. Each sandwich topping has its own role. Together, they make this hot honey fried chicken sandwich even more delicious and appealing.

If you’re a fan of chicken recipes, my Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe is another one you can try.

What You’ll Need for This Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich

Equipment List

• Cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven
• Instant-read thermometer (for both the oil and the chicken)
• Tongs
• Wire rack set over a baking sheet
• Mixing bowls
• Meat mallet, for pounding the chicken
• Small saucepan, for the hot honey

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the crispy coating

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For frying

• 4 cups peanut or canola oil

For the sandwich

• 4 brioche buns, toasted
• 4 slices pepper jack cheese (optional)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (for the spicy mayo)
• 1 cup dill pickle chips
• 1 cup shredded lettuce

Hot Honey Sauce

• ½ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, for extra heat (optional)

Real hot honey is honey gently infused with chili heat, not honey mixed with hot sauce. The sweetness hits first, and the heat builds after. That slow build is why it works so well on fried chicken. If you like honey-based sauces, my Honey Garlic Butter Salmon uses honey a similar way, just without the heat.

How to Make Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich

You need to be a little careful when making deep frying chicken. But it is actually quite easy once you follow the steps. There’s no need to rush; just take it easy. Below, I will show you how to make this fried chicken sandwich step by step.

1. Prepare and Marinate the Chicken

Slice the chicken breasts lengthwise into thin cutlets. Making sure each piece is the same thickness so the chicken cooks evenly.

In a bowl, mix buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Add the chicken pieces and coat them well. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours.

2. Make the Crispy Chicken Coating

In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the extra liquid drip off. Press each piece firmly into the flour mixture then coating both sides well. The cornstarch will make the coating lighter and crispier.

3. Let the Coated Chicken Rest

Place the coated chicken on a wire rack. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before frying. This will help the coating stick better during frying.

4. Fry the Chicken Until Crispy

Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven. Keep the oil temperature at 325°F. Pour in enough oil to partially cover the chicken.

Fry only a few pieces of chicken at a time. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes. The time will depend on the thickness of the chicken.

Check the temperature in the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer. Remove the chicken when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Then, place it on a wire rack. Let the oil temperature return to 325°F before adding the next piece of chicken.

5. Make the Hot Honey

In a small saucepan, add honey, hot sauce, and butter. Warm over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until smooth. For extra heat, add red pepper flakes and adjust the spiciness to your taste.

6. Toast the Buns and Prepare the Toppings

Slice the brioche bun, turn it upside down, and toast in a dry skillet until lightly browned. Mix mayonnaise and hot sauce to make spicy mayo. If using Pepper Jack cheese, top the fried hot chicken with it. Let the heat soften the cheese. Keep the pickles ready for assembly.

7. Assemble the Sandwich

Spread spicy mayonnaise equally on both cut sides of the bun. Place lettuce on the bottom bun. On top of that, put the fried chicken. Drizzle hot honey over the chicken. Then add pickles. Cover with the top bun. Serve while hot and crispy.

Tips for the Best Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich

• Slice the chicken evenly so it cooks at the same rate.
• Don’t skip the marinade. It helps keep the chicken tender.
• Let extra marinade drip off before adding the coating.
• Press the coating firmly onto the chicken so it sticks well.
• Keep the oil around 325°F and check it with a thermometer.
• Fry in batches so the oil stays hot.
• Drain the chicken on a wire rack to keep the crust crisp.
• Toast the buns so they hold up better.
• Add the hot honey just before serving.
• Avoid very wet toppings that can make the bun soggy.

Easy Variations

• Use gluten-free flour if needed.
• Use chicken thighs for a juicier sandwich.
• Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat.
• Skip the cayenne for a milder coating.
• Add coleslaw for extra crunch.
• Add pickled onions for more tang.

What to Serve With Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich

You have plenty of great options for serving with this sandwich. Here are a few of my favorites:

• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Coleslaw
• Potato wedges
• Extra pickles on the side
• A simple green salad
• Mac and cheese

You have plenty of great options for serving with this sandwich. Fries and coleslaw are always a safe bet. If you want another chicken dish on the table, my Lemon Garlic Chicken Longhorn is a great pick too.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerator Store the fried chicken by itself in an airtight container, separate from the buns and toppings. It keeps for up to 3 days. Keep any leftover hot honey in its own small container.

Reheating Reheat in a 375°F oven or an air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, until warmed through and crisp again. Skip the microwave. It turns the crispy coating soft and chewy.

H2: Nutrition & Health Benefits

Here’s a look at what’s in one hot honey fried chicken sandwich. These numbers come from standard USDA-referenced values for each ingredient in the hot honey fried chicken sandwich Recipe.

Nutrition at a Glance

Nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on the ingredients and portion sizes used. This estimate does not include optional Pepper Jack cheese, which adds about 110 calories per slice.
Source: USDA FoodData Central

What Makes This Recipe Nutritious

The chicken provides a good amount of protein in this sandwich. The buttermilk marinade also leaves behind a trace amount of calcium. Keep in mind that the bun, frying oil, mayo, and hot honey add most of the calories, fat, and sugar. Wondering about hot honey fried chicken sandwich calories? The exact amount depends on your chicken size, oil, bun, sauce, and hot honey.

Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Recipe by Tayuba Tabassum

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Main DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Intermediate

Servings

4

sandwiches

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

1020

kcal

Marinating Time

4

hours 

Total time

4

hours 

40

minutes

Crispy buttermilk fried chicken topped with sweet-spicy hot honey, spicy mayo, and pickles on a toasted brioche bun.

Ingredients

For the chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise

• 2 cups buttermilk

• 2 tablespoons hot sauce

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  
  For the crispy coating

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
  
  For frying

• 4 cups peanut or canola oil
  
  For the hot honey

• ½ cup honey

• 2 tablespoons hot sauce

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  
  For the sandwich

• 4 brioche buns, toasted

• 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese (optional)

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (for the spicy mayo)

• 1 cup dill pickle chips

• 1 cup shredded lettuce

Directions

• Slice the chicken breasts lengthwise into thin cutlets, keeping each piece a similar thickness.
• In a bowl, whisk buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Add the chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours.
• In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the extra liquid drip off.
• Press each piece firmly into the flour mixture, coating both sides well.
• Place the coated chicken on a wire rack. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before frying.
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 325°F, enough to partially cover the chicken.
• Fry the chicken in batches, 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Place the chicken on a wire rack. Let the oil return to 325°F before the next batch.
• In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, and butter. Warm over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until smooth. Add red pepper flakes for more heat if desired.
• Toast the brioche buns cut-side down in a dry skillet until lightly golden. Mix mayonnaise and hot sauce to make the spicy mayo. If using Pepper Jack, place it on the hot chicken right after frying so it softens.
• Spread spicy mayo on both cut sides of the bun. Layer lettuce on the bottom bun, then the fried chicken. Drizzle hot honey over the chicken, add pickles, and close with the top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Chicken breast can be swapped for chicken thighs for a juicier bite.
• Buttermilk can be substituted with 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, rested 5 minutes.
• All-purpose flour can be swapped for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
• Brioche bun can be swapped for a regular hamburger bun.
• Refrigerate leftover chicken separately from buns and toppings for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid the microwave, it softens the crispy coating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you love crispy fried chicken sandwich with a little sweet heat, this hot honey fried chicken sandwich is worth making at home. The crunchy chicken, sweet hot honey, creamy sauce, pickles, and toasted bun all work so well together.

The marinade takes a little planning, but the rest is simple once you get started. I really enjoy how satisfying this sandwich feels, especially when the chicken is fresh and crispy. Make it once, and I think this hot honey chicken sandwich could become a new favorite.