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Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey: The Perfect Balance of Heat and Sweet

Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey: The Perfect Balance of Heat and Sweet

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  • Author: Emily
  • 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

Units Scale
  • 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

  • 1-Marinate the Chicken:

    • Marinate chicken breasts in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

  • 2-Prepare the Breading:

    • 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.

  • 3-Coat the Chicken:

    • Dip each marinated chicken breast into the flour mixture, then into the panko breadcrumbs, coating evenly. Place on the baking sheet.

  • 4-Bake the Chicken:

    • Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is golden brown.

  • 5-Make the Nashville Hot Sauce:

    • 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.

  • 6-Drizzle the Hot Sauce:

    • Drizzle the prepared hot sauce generously over the baked chicken. Adjust to your preferred heat level.

  • 7-Assemble the Sandwich:

    • 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.


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