Hot Honey Pimento Chicken Sandwiches
Episode 3 of the Hot Honey Series has some bite. These Hot Honey Pimento Chicken Sandwiches are crispy, creamy, tangy, and spicy all in one.
Crispy chicken cutlets get drenched in hot honey right out of the air fryer, then piled on toasted brioche with pickled jalapeños and a heavy-handed scoop of pimento cheese. Fifteen minutes and you have a sandwich that tastes like it came from a Southern restaurant.
Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
- 15 minutes: store-bought cutlets make it quick.
- Southern flavor: pimento cheese and hot honey.
- Crispy and creamy: the perfect contrast.
- Tangy kick: pickled jalapeños cut the richness.
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich Ingredients
Fried Chicken Cutlets
Store-bought or homemade.
Hot Honey
Drench the chicken while it is hot.
Pimento Cheese
Store-bought or homemade with cheddar, mayo, and pimentos.
Pickled Jalapeños
Tangy, spicy crunch.
Brioche Buns
Toasted and buttery.
Swap It: Use gluten-free cutlets and buns for a gluten-free sandwich.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
Step 1: Air Fry
Air fry the chicken cutlets until golden and crispy.
Step 2: Drench
Drench the hot chicken in hot honey.
Step 3: Build
On a toasted brioche bun, layer pickled jalapeños, the hot honey chicken, and a big scoop of pimento cheese.
Carly’s Expert Tips
- Toast the buns. Butter and toast them for extra crunch.
- Honey while hot. Hot chicken soaks it up.
- Room temp pimento cheese. It spreads more easily.
- Pat the jalapeños dry. Keeps the bun from getting soggy.
Make It Your Own
- Homemade pimento cheese: Mix cheddar, mayo, pimentos, and a pinch of cayenne.
- Slaw: Add a crunchy coleslaw.
- Pickles: Swap jalapeños for dill pickles.
- Sliders: Use slider buns and nuggets.
Make-Ahead and Meal Prep: Make homemade pimento cheese up to 5 days ahead.
What to Serve With Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
Serve with fries, chips, coleslaw, or a pickle spear.
Storing and Reheating
Best fresh: The chicken is crispiest right away.
Pimento cheese: Keeps for up to 5 days.
Reheat cutlets: Air fry 3 to 4 minutes.
What People Ask About Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
Can I use a different bun?
Yes. Potato buns or kaiser rolls work.
Can I make my own pimento cheese?
Yes. Mix cheddar, mayo, pimentos, and seasoning.
Can I use grilled chicken?
Yes, though crispy chicken is the classic.
Is it very spicy?
It has a kick. Adjust the hot honey and jalapeños.
Hot Honey Pimento Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
Method
- Air fry your chicken cutlets until golden and crispy.
- While still hot, drench them in hot honey.
- On a toasted brioche bun, lay down your pickled jalapeños, your hot honey chicken, and top with a heavy-handed scoop of pimento cheese.
Nutrition
Notes
- For extra crunch, you can lightly butter and toast the brioche buns before assembling the sandwich.
- If you prefer homemade pimento cheese, mix shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey and pickled jalapeños to suit your spice tolerance.
