Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich with Crispy Maple Bacon

This Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate sweet, spicy, and crispy indulgence! Featuring juicy buttermilk-fried chicken drizzled with sticky hot honey, layered with crispy maple-glazed bacon, and served on a buttery brioche bun with creamy garlic mayo. Every bite is a perfect balance of crunch, spice, sweetness, and richness.

Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Crispy, Buttermilk-Battered Chicken – Juicy inside, ultra-crunchy outside.
✔ Spicy-Sweet Hot Honey Drizzle – Adds bold, sticky heat.
✔ Crispy Maple-Glazed Bacon – Smoky, salty, and caramelized perfection.
✔ Creamy Garlic Mayo – Cool and smooth, balancing the heat.
✔ Buttery Brioche Bun – Soft, slightly sweet, and holds everything together beautifully.

Timings

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Marinating Time: 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Fried Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved to make 4 fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional for extra heat)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
• 1 quart vegetable oil, for frying

For the Hot Honey:

• ½ cup honey
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp butter (optional for extra richness)

For the Crispy Maple Bacon:

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Garlic Mayo:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp honey

For Assembling the Sandwich:

• 4 brioche buns, toasted
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 4 slices dill pickles

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Juiciness

1. In a bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce.
2. Submerge chicken fillets and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).

Step 2: Prepare the Crispy Maple Bacon

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange bacon slices on the sheet and brush with maple syrup.
3. Sprinkle with black pepper and bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until caramelized and crispy.
4. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 3: Coat & Fry the Chicken

1. In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
2. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
3. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure a thick, even coating.
4. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan. Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
5. Drain on a wire rack (not paper towels!) for maximum crispiness.

Step 4: Make the Hot Honey

1. In a saucepan, heat honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and butter over low heat.
2. Stir until warm and combined, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Mayo

1. Mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and honey in a bowl.
2. Chill until ready to use.

Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich

1. Toast the brioche buns until golden.
2. Spread garlic mayo on both sides.
3. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun.
4. Add crispy fried chicken and drizzle generously with hot honey.
5. Layer with maple-glazed bacon and pickles.
6. Top with the brioche bun, press lightly, and serve immediately!

Nutritional Information (Per Sandwich, Approximate)

• Calories: 780
• Protein: 48g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fat: 40g

💡 Want a Healthier Version?
✔ Air-fry or bake the chicken instead of deep-frying.
✔ Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for the garlic sauce.
✔ Swap turkey bacon for a leaner option.

Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich with Crispy Maple Bacon

Ella Cooks

This Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate sweet, spicy, and crispy indulgence! Featuring juicy buttermilk-fried chicken drizzled with sticky hot honey, layered with crispy maple-glazed bacon, and served on a buttery brioche bun with creamy garlic mayo. Every bite is a perfect balance of crunch, spice, sweetness, and richness.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Marinating Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 780 kcal

COOK MODEStop your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Fried Chicken:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved to make 4 fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp hot sauce optional for extra heat
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch for extra crispiness
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional for extra spice
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

For the Hot Honey:

• ½ cup honey
• 1 tbsp hot sauce adjust to taste
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp butter optional for extra richness

For the Crispy Maple Bacon:

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp black pepper
• For the Garlic Mayo:
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp honey

For Assembling the Sandwich:

• 4 brioche buns toasted
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 4 slices dill pickles

Instructions

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Juiciness

• In a bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce.
• Submerge chicken fillets and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).

Step 2: Prepare the Crispy Maple Bacon

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange bacon slices on the sheet and brush with maple syrup.
• Sprinkle with black pepper and bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until caramelized and crispy.
• Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 3: Coat & Fry the Chicken

• In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
• Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
• Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure a thick, even coating.
• Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan. Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
• Drain on a wire rack (not paper towels!) for maximum crispiness.

Step 4: Make the Hot Honey

• In a saucepan, heat honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and butter over low heat.
• Stir until warm and combined, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Mayo

• Mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and honey in a bowl.
• Chill until ready to use.

Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich

• Toast the brioche buns until golden.
• Spread garlic mayo on both sides.
• Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun.
• Add crispy fried chicken and drizzle generously with hot honey.
  
• Layer with maple-glazed bacon and pickles.
• Top with the brioche bun, press lightly, and serve immediately!

Notes

Want a Healthier Version?
✔ Air-fry or bake the chicken instead of deep-frying.
✔ Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for the garlic sauce.
✔ Swap turkey bacon for a leaner option.

Nutrition

Calories: 780kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 48gFat: 40g

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