Hot Honey Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe

This juicy sticky Hot Honey Grilled Chicken Sandwich is made with tender chicken breasts, sweet honey, and spicy hot sauce, and ready in 20 minutes. Brushing the warm chili-infused honey over the freshly charred meat creates a glossy coating that drips down the sides. I make these constantly when the weather warms up.

Restaurant-Quality At Home

I used to order spicy chicken sandwiches at every local pub, assuming they were too messy to recreate. It turns out that making a proper glaze at home is incredibly fast and requires barely any prep.

My biggest mistake early on was applying the honey too soon on the grill. The sugars burn quickly, so I learned to brush it on during the final minute of cooking.

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Hot Honey Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 brioche buns, toasted
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• 0.5 cup sliced dill pickles

How To Make Hot Honey Grilled Chicken Sandwich

1. Prep The Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to make four thin cutlets. Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until coated evenly.
2. Make The Sauce: Whisk the honey, hot sauce, and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for two minutes until the butter melts and the sauce slightly thickens, then remove from heat.
3. Grill The Meat: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook the chicken cutlets for four minutes on each side until charred and cooked through.
4. Glaze The Chicken: Brush the warm hot honey sauce generously over both sides of the chicken cutlets during the last minute of grilling. Remove them from the heat immediately so the sugars do not burn.
5. Assemble The Sandwiches: Place shredded lettuce and dill pickles on the bottom half of each toasted brioche bun. Top with a glazed chicken cutlet and close the sandwich.

Recipe Tips

• Pound the chicken: Keeping the cutlets thin ensures they cook fast and stay tender without drying out on the hot grill.
• Watch the sugar: Honey burns rapidly over open flames, so always apply your glaze right at the end of the cooking process.
• Toast the buns: A sturdy, toasted brioche bun prevents the spicy honey sauce from making the bread soggy.

What To Serve With Hot Honey Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

These pair brilliantly with crispy french fries or a simple potato salad to cool down the heat. A crunchy cabbage slaw also works well to add fresh texture to your plate.

How To Store

Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Keep the hot honey sauce in a separate small jar at room temperature. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet before assembling fresh sandwiches.

FAQs

Can I bake the chicken instead?

Yes, you can bake the chicken at 400°F for about 15 minutes. Brush the hot honey on during the last three minutes of baking.

What hot sauce works best?

A vinegar-based hot sauce balances the sweetness of the honey perfectly. Avoid chunky salsas or thick barbecue sauces.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative. They have more fat and remain very juicy on the hot grill.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Total Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 850mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 45g
• Protein: 32g