Name: Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches (Baked, not Fried)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts*; 3/4 cup flour; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 2 eggs; avocado oil spray; Hot honey sauce (recommended: Mike’s Hot Honey Sauce); pickles; Lettuce; 8 brioche buns

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Easy and delicious, make these hot honey chicken sandwiches at home and you’ll instantly become a fan. These taste better and are healthier than takeout sandwiches!

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These crispy chicken sandwiches drizzled with Mike’s hot honey (or your own homemade version if you’re ambitious😉) were a surprising hit over here. My whole family agreed it’s their new favorite. I love it when everyone is happy with dinner!

The spicy-sweet hot honey glaze combined with a layer of pickles and crisp lettuce hits the spot perfectly, without needing hours in the kitchen.

It’s quick enough for busy weeknights yet tasty enough for weekend gatherings.

Ready? Let’s do this!

Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

A good chicken sandwich must have the right amount of seasoning, a juicy cutlet, and all the right condiments. Good for you, this one checks all the boxes.

Here’s why this sandwich will become a regular in your meal rotation once you make it:

Each piece of chicken in this recipe is dredged in a well-seasoned mix of all purpose flour and spices. Baking on a wire rack also retains its crispiness, so you get restaurant-quality sandwiches at home.
This is a healthier version of hot honey chicken sandwiches because we bake them instead of frying them.
The hot honey glaze using Mike’s hot honey provides an ideal sweet-heat combo that pairs incredibly well with the savory chicken. It’s flavorful without overwhelming the sandwich. You can absolutely make your own homemade hot honey glaze, but I prefer the shortcut version for weeknight dinners!
It takes only a few straight steps and ingredients you probably have on hand. This sandwich recipe doesn’t require extensive kitchen time—yes, it’s doable even on busy weeknights.
My whole family loves these sandwiches because the flavors are bold yet approachable. Even kids who aren’t typically into spicy food enjoy them. My daughter Meghan thinks black pepper is spicy, and she likes this sandwich!
They pair well with various sides like crunchy French fries, salty potato chips, or fresh coleslaw mix. It would be fabulous with this Jalapeño Coleslaw Recipe. You can easily complete your meal exactly how you like it. Want healthier alternatives to fries and chips? Try these Crispy Smashed Potatoes or these Crispy Sweet Potato and Beet Chips!

Ingredients Needed to Make Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

You don’t need any special ingredients to put together these incredible hot honey chicken sandwiches; most of the things will already be in the pantry.

Here’s what goes into this delicious fried chicken sandwich recipe:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Use these for tender, juicy pieces of chicken that cook evenly. I cut them in half for a thinner piece of chicken that’s easier to eat with your bun!
All-purpose flour: It forms the base of the seasoned flour mixture for that perfect crispy crust.
Hot honey sauce: Use Mike’s hot honey or make your own with a cup of honey, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce for a sweet-spicy kick.
Brioche buns: Soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for absorbing the hot honey glaze without falling apart.
Onion powder+ Garlic powder +Paprika+Crushed red pepper: This is the perfect spice blend to flavor the light chicken breading.
Eggs: Eggs help the flour coating stick to the chicken.
Avocado oil spray: This helps get the breading crispy without frying in excess oil.
Pickles: Pickles are the perfect topping for these hot honey spicy chicken sandwiches!
Lettuce

How to Make These Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

My hot honey chicken sandwich recipe is amazingly easy and results in the yummiest sandwiches. Here are the step-by-step instructions with some photos. For a printable version of the ingredients and instructions, please scroll to the recipe card below.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
Cut your chicken breasts in half length wise so you have thin cutlets. Side note: To save time: rather than having to cut 4 regular chicken breasts into thin cutlets, you can buy 8 cutlets already prepared.
In a shallow bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
Pat your chicken cutlets dry. Then season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
For each chicken cutlet, coat it in flour, then dip it in the egg, then coat it a second time with flour. Place the chicken on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Continue until each chicken cutlet is prepared.
Spray each flour-dredged chicken breast with avocado oil spray.
Bake the chicken, on the wire rack, in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Half way through the baking time, remove the tray from the oven, flip the chicken breasts, then spray the second side with cooking spray. Then return it to the oven to complete the cooking time.
When the chicken is cooked, brush each side with about a tablespoon of the hot honey sauce. Then, build the sandwich: Add the chicken to a bun, top with pickles, lettuce, and additional hot honey sauce if desired. Enjoy!

If you try this Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches recipe, or any of my healthy recipes, please leave a comment and star rating–it’s so helpful! Share a photo of your creations on Instagram so I can see and I’d love to feature you.

Ways to Change Things Up

The best thing about sandwiches is that you can switch things up to suit everyone’s likes and dislikes. You can include or remove things from this recipe, and the sandwich will still taste yum because the chicken cutlet will be baked to perfection, and it goes best with brioche buns.

So if you want to make these sandwiches a bit differently, here are some ways to go about it:

Cheese Options

You have plenty of cheese options that go great with this sandwich. For example, sharp cheddar gives your sandwich a rich, tangy kick, while Swiss adds a mild, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the hot honey glaze. Mozzarella is another great choice if you prefer something milder and creamier. You can also experiment with smoked Gouda for a slightly smoky touch that balances well with the crispy chicken.

Pickle Alternatives

If dill pickles aren’t your thing, use quick-pickled red onions or fresh jalapeños for extra heat. You can also toss sliced cucumbers in apple cider vinegar, salt, and a pinch of sugar for a tangy crunch that cuts through the rich, fried flavor of the chicken. If you like things spicy, pickled banana peppers or giardiniera can add a twist without overwhelming the sandwich.

Change the Bun

While brioche buns are classic for a reason, you can swap them for potato rolls, which are soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for soaking up all that hot honey glaze. Ciabatta bread also works well as it gives a chewier texture with a bit of crustiness.

Condiments Swaps

You don’t have to stick to plain mayo. A zesty garlic mayo can add more depth to each bite. If you like a bit of heat, try sriracha aioli or a chipotle spread for a smoky kick. If you’d like a creamier bite, homemade ranch is always a winner, and it pairs well with the crispy, seasoned chicken and pickle slaw.

FAQs

Why is my chicken not crispy enough?

If your crispy chicken isn’t as crunchy as it should be, it’s likely due to excess moisture. Pat the pieces of chicken dry before coating them in the seasoned flour mixture. Also, let them rest on a wire rack after baking/frying to keep the crust crisp.

How do I keep my chicken juicy?

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before adding it to the sandwich. It helps the juices redistribute, keeping them moist and flavorful. Also, using a quick brine or cold water soak before breading can make a noticeable difference in juiciness.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover chicken?

Reheat it in a preheated oven at 375°F on a wire rack placed over a sheet pan for about 10-15 minutes. It’ll help the bread stay crunchy while warming the inside. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the crust soggy. Another option is the air fryer. Reheat at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes.

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Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches (Baked, not Fried)

Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients Needed to Make Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

How to Make These Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches