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.
Ingredients
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.
✔ 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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