Valentina Ablaev
This hot honey chicken sandwich recipe is the ultimate combination of sweet, spicy, and crispy. Juicy buttermilk-fried chicken is cooked until crispy, drizzled with homemade hot honey, and topped with crunchy coleslaw. Everything is piled high on toasted sandwich buns. Every bite is packed with irresistible crunch and bold flavor. Once you serve this hot honey chicken sandwich, everyone will be asking for it again and again.
What Is a Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich?
A hot honey chicken sandwich is not your typical spicy chicken sandwich! This crispy sandwich is made memorable with a homemade hot honey sauce that is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The topping of crisp coleslaw and sliced pickles beautifully balances the fried chicken; you won’t be able to get enough of this dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better than takeout. Don’t get me wrong, we love a chick-fil-a chicken sandwich as much as the next person, but nothing beats the flavors of homemade.
- Sweet and spicy. This hot honey chicken sandwich is a flavor bomb, featuring hot honey sauce, crisp coleslaw, and juicy buttermilk chicken.
- High-quality meal. If you’re looking to impress a crowd, this is the dish for you! This sandwich is stunning, and the flavors are out of this world.
Ingredients for a Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
- Buttermilk mixture – A seasoned buttermilk liquid tenderizes the chicken, making it extra juicy and delicious.
- Chicken – We use chicken breast, sliced in half, to create the perfect cutlets that cook through and turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Flour coating – The flour dredge is made extra crispy with a mix of flour, cornstarch, and seasoning.
- Slaw – Just as creamy coleslaw plays a vital role in our shrimp tacos, it also takes this sandwich to the next level. A crispy coleslaw is so simple to make and makes the perfect sandwich topping.
- Hot honey sauce – A homemade hot honey sauce is as simple as hot sauce, honey, and butter, resulting in a rich, luxurious sauce.
- Oil – Frying the chicken patty gives it that undeniable crunch. Pick an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
- Buns – Your favorite burger buns are perfect for the chicken sandwich. Though toasted buns are optional, we truly love the added texture they provide.
- Toppings – Pickles are a classic topping and perfectly balance the sweet and spicy sauce.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Why Marinate Chicken in Buttermilk
This isn’t just an extra step; buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor and moisture. The slight acidity breaks down proteins, creating a juicy chicken cutlet with a crispy, golden coating once fried.
Tools for this Recipe
Shop all of Valentina’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and kitchen must-haves!
- Shallow bowls make dredging chicken the easiest and mess-free!
- A large pot or deep skillet is a must for deep-frying the chicken patty.
- Use an oil thermometer to monitor the oil temperature for the perfect deep-frying experience.
- A meat thermometer is a great way to ensure your cutlets are cooked to perfection.
What Chicken is Best for a Fried Chicken Sandwich?
Just like a classic chicken sandwich, this sandwich uses chicken breast for the patty. You can also use chicken thighs, just keep in mind the texture will be different. You can also use chicken tenderloins and layer several buttermilk chicken tenders onto each sandwich.
Healthier Option:
Do you want to enjoy a delicious hot honey chicken sandwich, but don’t love the deep frying? Don’t worry, because we have got the solution for you!
Recreate our classic grilled chicken sandwich and top with hot honey sauce for a delicious combo that still fits into your goals.
Chicken Sandwich Toppings:
You don’t have to stop at coleslaw and pickles. Here are some more incredible topping ideas:
- Cheese it up – A slice of pepperjack cheese or sliced american cheese would take your homemade chicken sandwich to the next level.
- Bacon – Crispy bacon strips bring flavor and an extra crunch.
- Veggies – Top this sandwich with sliced tomatoes, onion, and lettuce for a classic combo.
- Sauce – Add a layer of homemade garlic aioli to bring moisture and flavor to this sandwich.
Expert Tips:
- Even chicken breasts. When slicing the chicken breasts, be sure to use a sharp knife to cut even cutlets. This will help them cook evenly.
- Using the right oil. When deep frying, using the right oil is crucial. Pick an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. You’ll want to avoid using olive oil.
- Temp the oil. Use an oil thermometer to check that the oil is at 325-350°F while frying. If the oil is too hot, you risk burning the chicken before it cooks through; if it’s too cold, it will create a soggy crust.
- Use a meat thermometer. When frying chicken cutlets, using a meat thermometer helps you know when they are done and ready to rest.
- Fry in batches. When frying the chicken patties, don’t overcrowd the pan, as this lowers the oil temperature.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
- Marinate the chicken. Add the pieces of chicken into the marinade mix and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
2. Prepare the coating. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and seasonings.
3. Make the coleslaw. Toss the coleslaw mix with the dressing and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Mix the hot honey sauce. Stir together the hot honey sauce ingredients in a small bowl, and set aside.
5. Flour the chicken. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture.
5. Coat the chicken. Dip the chicken back into the buttermilk mixture, then coat it in the flour mixture again. For extra-crispy chicken, repeat once more.
7. Fry the chicken. Heat about 2 inches of oil to 325°F–350°F. Fry the chicken for 4–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F.
8. Assemble the sandwiches. Toast the buns, then add the fried chicken. Drizzle with hot honey sauce and top with coleslaw and pickles.
Can I Make a Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich in the Air Fryer?
For a healthier alternative, the air fryer is a great option for a crispy chicken sandwich! Add the dredged chicken cutlets to the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then assemble the sandwich as usual.
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
- Fries: Complete this restaurant-style entree with a classic side of crispy truffle fries. Serve with a side of homemade buttermilk ranch for an out-of-this-world combo.
- Salad: Make some extra cabbage coleslaw, or switch it up with apple coleslaw for a crunchy, balanced combination.
Store & Reheat
- Storage. If you happen to have leftovers, store the fried chicken cutlets separately and assemble fresh before serving. Coleslaw can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making this the perfect sandwich to prep ahead.
- Reheat. Reheat the chicken in the air fryer or the oven until crispy and warmed through. Then toast fresh buns and top with chicken and coleslaw.
More Sandwich Recipes
If you enjoyed this chicken sandwich recipe, be sure to try our other easy sandwich recipes; here are some of our favorites:
Sandwiches- Hot Sandwiches
- Hot Sandwiches
- Hot Sandwiches
- Sandwiches
- Hot Sandwiches
- Hot Sandwiches
- Cold Sandwiches
If you tried this hot honey chicken sandwich recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich (Better Than Takeout)
Ingredients
buttermilk mixture –
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast 2 breasts, sliced in half
flour coating –
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
cabbage slaw –
- 3 cups coleslaw mix
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
sandwich –
- Oil to fry the chicken
- 4 sandwich buns
- Pickles optional, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare marinade. In a bowl, stir together the buttermilk and seasonings. Add the sliced chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes to overnight.
- Make flour dredging. In a bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and seasonings; stir to combine.
- Make the slaw. Combine the dressing for the coleslaw and toss with the slaw mix; refrigerate until ready to use.
- Make hot honey sauce. In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the hot honey sauce.
- Dredge chicken. Take the chicken and dredge it in the flour mixture, then back in the buttermilk mixture, and then in the flour mixture again. (Tip: If you want extra crispy chicken, do this a third time.)
- Fry chicken. Heat about 2 inches of oil to 325°F-350°F. Add the chicken and cook 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown on the outside and 165°F on the inside.
- Assemble. Toast bread buns. Add a chicken sandwich to the bun, and drizzle generously with the hot honey sauce. Top with the coleslaw and pickles.
- Serve and enjoy, friends.
Notes
- Slice the chicken evenly. Use a sharp knife to cut the chicken breasts into uniform cutlets. Even-sized pieces cook more consistently and help prevent overcooking.
- Choose a high-heat oil. For the best frying results, use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, vegetable, or avocado oil. Avoid olive oil, which can burn at frying temperatures.
- Monitor the oil temperature. Keep the oil between 325°F and 350°F while frying. Oil that’s too hot can burn the coating before the chicken is cooked through, while oil that’s too cool can lead to greasy, soggy chicken.
- Check for doneness. A meat thermometer is the easiest way to know when the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F before removing it from the oil.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. When deep frying, you never want to overcrowd the pot. Fry the chicken patties in batches to prevent the oil from dropping in temperature.
