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Jalapeno Honey Drenched Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich

This spicy hot honey fried chicken sandwich features succulent chicken breasts coated in a seasoned flour and batter, then fried to golden perfection. The chicken is drenched in a hot honey sauce made from honey, hot sauce, and melted butter. It's served on a toasted buttered bun with cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and a spread of spicy mayo for an irresistible blend of flavors and textures.

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Updated on Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:09:28 GMT
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Jalapeno Honey Drenched Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich | myhomemaderecipe.com
The inspiration behind this recipe comes from a local restaurant that has been a staple in our community, renowned for its fried chicken sandwiches infused with the unique flavor of jalapeno honey. Every time I visit, I am reminded of the perfect balance between the crispy, juicy fried chicken and the sweet, spicy kick of the jalapeno honey. As a cook and food blogger with years of experience, I have always been fascinated by this combination and have spent countless hours perfecting my own version of this dish. My journey into the world of fried chicken began many years ago, when I first tasted the magic of Southern cuisine. The crispy exterior and tender interior of well-cooked fried chicken are a delight, but adding the dimension of jalapeno honey elevates it to a whole new level. This recipe is a culmination of my experiments and tweaks, aiming to bring you the most delicious and satisfying Jalapeno Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich you’ve ever had.

For the Crispy Fried Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, boneless, skinless, trimmed, about 1/2 inch thick
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning (additional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil

For the Sandwiches

  • 4 buns (optionally, lightly toasted)
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 large beefsteak or heirloom tomato, sliced
  • 1 cup lettuce
  • 8 strips bacon, cooked
  • 6 tablespoons jalapeno honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Marinating the Chicken

Step 1:
Mix together the buttermilk, egg, and cajun seasoning in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces to this marinade and ensure they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Step 2:
Marinating serves several purposes: it helps to tenderize the meat, adds moisture, and infuses the chicken with a rich flavor profile.

Coating the Chicken

Step 1:
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
Step 2:
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, additional cajun seasoning, cornstarch, and baking powder. Dredge the chicken pieces in this flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Optional Step:
For an extra crispy coating, you can opt for a double coating process: dip chicken back into the buttermilk marinade, then coat again in the flour mixture.

Frying the Chicken

Step 1:
Heat the vegetable or peanut oil in a large pot to 350°F (180°C).
Step 2:
Carefully place 2-3 chicken pieces into the oil. Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 3:
Place the chicken on a paper towel-lined baking sheet or a cooling rack to drain excess oil.

Assembling the Sandwiches

Step 1:
Smother each piece of fried chicken with jalapeno honey.
Step 2:
Place the chicken on a lightly toasted bun. Add crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, sliced tomato, and avocado. Drizzle a bit of mayonnaise over the top.

Jalapeno Honey

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup honey
    • 2-3 sliced jalapenos (depending on desired heat level)
  • Instructions:
    • In a small saucepan, bring the honey to a low boil.
    • Add the sliced jalapenos to the honey and simmer for 5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and let cool. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Optional Spice Blends

  • Taco Seasoning: Mix chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
  • Southern-Style: Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  • Italian-Style: Use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Air Fryer Option

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  • After marinating and coating the chicken, place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  • Check for crispiness and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes if needed.

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Marinate Time: 1 hour to overnight
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Servings: 4

Final Thoughts

The Jalapeno Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The combination of crispy, juicy fried chicken, sweet and spicy jalapeno honey, crunchy bacon, fresh lettuce, and creamy avocado makes for a deliciously messy sandwich that will leave you craving for more.

Conclusion

Explore the mouthwatering combination of crispy fried chicken with tangy pickles and flavorful hot honey sauce in this Jalapeno Honey Drenched Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe.

Spicy Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Sandwich

This spicy hot honey fried chicken sandwich combines crispy fried chicken with tangy pickles, spicy mayo, and a hot honey sauce for a flavor explosion.

Prep Time
90 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 sandwiches)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 4 chicken breasts, 5-6 oz each.
02 Seasoned Flour (see below).
03 Chicken Batter (see below).
04 Vegetable or canola oil for frying.
05 3 cups all-purpose flour.
06 1 tsp ground black pepper.
07 2 tsp table salt.
08 1 tsp onion powder.
09 ½ tsp cayenne pepper.
10 1 tsp paprika.
11 1 tsp garlic powder.
12 1 cup seasoned flour.
13 1 ½ cups cold water.
14 ½ cup honey.
15 ¼ cup hot sauce (e.g., Louisiana hot sauce).
16 2 Tbsp melted butter.
17 Optional: jalapeños or other peppers for added heat.
18 4 sesame buns or brioche buns.
19 Butter for buns.
20 4 slices of cheese (e.g., pepper jack, American singles).
21 20 slices of bread & butter pickles or other pickles.
22 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce.
23 1 cup mayonnaise.
24 1 Tbsp sambal chili paste or other chili paste.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine all ingredients for the seasoned flour and mix together well.

Step 02

Combine the seasoned flour and cold water. Whisk together until smooth.

Step 03

Whisk together the honey and hot sauce until combined. Slowly whisk in the warm butter. Optionally, add sliced jalapeños or other peppers to make a spicier version.

Step 04

Combine the mayonnaise and sambal chili paste. Mix together well.

Step 05

Remove excess fat and pound each chicken breast to about ¾ inch thick. Coat each chicken breast with the batter, place on a sheet pan, and refrigerate for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the chicken breasts from the refrigerator and coat each with the seasoned flour. Heat about 1 cup of vegetable or canola oil in a 12” skillet at medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Add the coated chicken breast to the pan and cook approximately 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. You might need to do this in batches. Remove the cooked chicken breasts and set them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 06

Butter each bun and toast until lightly browned. For each sandwich, place a slice of cheese on the bottom bun, followed by shredded lettuce, 4-5 pickle slices, a cooked chicken breast, 2 Tbsp of Hot Honey Sauce, and finish with the top toasted bun spread with spicy mayo.

Notes

  1. For an extra crispy coating, you can add vodka to the breading mixture.
  2. For a healthier option, you can air-fry the chicken.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~