If you’re a fan of bold flavors, crispy chicken, and a little kick, you’re going to love this Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey! It’s all the heat you crave from the spicy Nashville hot chicken, but with the added twist of sweet honey to balance it out. This sandwich is crispy, spicy, tangy, and sweet all in one bite. Plus, it’s baked—not fried—so it’s a lighter, healthier version without sacrificing any of the flavor. Trust me, once you try this sandwich, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This isn’t your average chicken sandwich! The combination of crispy baked chicken, spicy Nashville hot seasoning, and a drizzle of honey takes this sandwich to a whole new level. What makes this even better is the fact that it’s baked, not fried, so you can enjoy all the delicious flavors without the extra grease. The honey adds a sweet contrast that balances the heat and makes each bite even more satisfying. Plus, this sandwich comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick dinner or a fun weekend meal!
Ingredients
The ingredients for this sandwich are simple, but they come together to create something extraordinary. Here’s what you’ll need (full ingredient list below):
- Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- Buttermilk
- Hot sauce
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Honey
- Butter
- Buns (preferably brioche)
- Pickles (for garnish)
It’s all about layering those bold flavors—the crispy chicken, spicy seasonings, and the sweet honey drizzle—on a soft, pillowy bun for the perfect sandwich experience!
Directions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by marinating your chicken breasts in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken in a bowl or resealable bag, pour the marinade over the top, and let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours. This step ensures your chicken is super tender and packed with flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading
While the chicken is marinating, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. These breadcrumbs will give your chicken that extra crispy crunch.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Once the chicken has marinated, remove each breast and dip it first into the flour mixture, making sure it’s well coated. Then, dip it into the panko breadcrumbs to give it that perfect crispy coating. Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all the chicken breasts.
Step 4: Bake the Chicken
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the coating is golden brown and crispy. Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through baking for even crispiness.
Step 5: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
While the chicken is baking, it’s time to make the hot sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add the paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, along with a pinch of salt. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes to let the spices bloom. Add a splash of hot sauce and a little bit of honey, then stir to combine. This sauce will be spicy, but the honey helps mellow it out while giving it a sweet kick.
Step 6: Drizzle the Hot Sauce
Once the chicken is out of the oven and crispy, drizzle the Nashville hot sauce generously over each piece of chicken. You can adjust the amount of sauce depending on how spicy you want it—add more for extra heat or less if you prefer a milder version.
Step 7: Assemble the Sandwich
Now it’s time to assemble your sandwich! Toast your buns in the oven for a couple of minutes until they’re lightly golden. Place the hot chicken breast on the bottom half of each bun. Drizzle a little more honey on top for that perfect sweet touch, and top it with pickles for a bit of crunch and tang. Finish with the top bun and get ready for an incredible bite!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Double-dip for extra crunch: If you want your chicken extra crispy, you can double-dip the chicken in the flour mixture and breadcrumbs before baking.
- Spicy adjustments: If you love a little more heat, feel free to add more cayenne pepper to the hot sauce or sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the finished sandwich.
- Butter the buns: For an extra crispy and flavorful bun, spread a little butter on the cut sides of the buns before toasting them in the oven.
- Make it ahead: The hot sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Just reheat before drizzling over the chicken.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Chicken thighs: If you prefer dark meat, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier sandwich.
- Vegetarian option: For a vegetarian version, you could swap the chicken for a breaded and baked cauliflower steak or a veggie patty.
- Honey mustard twist: For a sweeter sandwich, you can mix honey with a bit of mustard and drizzle it over the chicken instead of just plain honey.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey is already a complete meal, but you can pair it with a few sides to round out your dinner:
- Crispy sweet potato fries or regular French fries
- A simple coleslaw to balance out the heat
- A refreshing cucumber salad with dill
- A side of roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower
This sandwich is perfect for casual weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or even when you’re in the mood for something spicy and fun!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftovers? No problem! To store, wrap any leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers. The chicken will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, and the sauce will last up to a week. To reheat, simply warm the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes to get it crispy again, and reheat the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.
4 FAQs
1. Can I fry the chicken instead of baking it?
Absolutely! If you prefer a fried version, heat oil in a deep pan or skillet and fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Just be sure to drain the excess oil on paper towels afterward.
2. Can I use regular chicken breasts instead of pounded ones?
You can! Just make sure your chicken breasts are even in thickness, or they may cook unevenly. You can also use a meat mallet to lightly pound the chicken for a more even cook.
3. Is there a way to make this sandwich less spicy?
If you prefer less heat, you can reduce the cayenne pepper in both the breading and the hot sauce. You can also use less hot sauce or omit the red pepper flakes.
4. Can I use a different type of bread for the sandwich?
Of course! While brioche is a popular choice for its soft, buttery texture, you can use any sandwich roll, potato bun, or even a whole grain bun if you prefer.
Conclusion
This Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey is the perfect combination of crispy, spicy, and sweet. It’s the ultimate sandwich for those who love bold flavors and crave a little heat with their meal. Whether you’re making it for dinner or serving it at your next get-together, this sandwich is sure to impress. The balance of spicy Nashville hot sauce and sweet honey makes it something special, and the baked chicken gives it a lighter, healthier twist. Try it today—you won’t be disappointed!
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Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey: The Perfect Balance of Heat and Sweet
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (for marinating)
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Sandwich
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Description
This Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Crispy baked chicken, hot Nashville-style seasoning, and a touch of honey create an irresistible sandwich experience. With a lighter twist on the classic fried version, this sandwich brings bold flavors without the grease. Ideal for a quick dinner or a fun weekend meal!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- For Assembling:
- 4 brioche buns
- Pickles (for garnish)
- Additional honey (for drizzling)
Instructions
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1-Marinate the Chicken:
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Marinate chicken breasts in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
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2-Prepare the Breading:
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In one bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, add panko breadcrumbs.
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3-Coat the Chicken:
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Dip each marinated chicken breast into the flour mixture, then into the panko breadcrumbs, coating evenly. Place on the baking sheet.
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4-Bake the Chicken:
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is golden brown.
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5-Make the Nashville Hot Sauce:
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In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat, then add paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Add hot sauce and honey, stir to combine.
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6-Drizzle the Hot Sauce:
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Drizzle the prepared hot sauce generously over the baked chicken. Adjust to your preferred heat level.
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7-Assemble the Sandwich:
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Toast the buns lightly, then assemble by placing the hot chicken on the bottom bun, drizzling with honey, adding pickles, and topping with the other half of the bun.
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Notes
- Double-Dip for Extra Crunch: For extra crispy chicken, double-dip in the flour and breadcrumbs before baking.
- Spicy Adjustments: Add more cayenne or red pepper flakes to the hot sauce for extra heat.
- Make Ahead: The hot sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (with bun and chicken)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 85mg