This Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich recipe is a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings together the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. Tender shredded chicken breasts are cooked low and slow in a crock pot with a blend of seasonings, ensuring the meat is juicy and packed with flavor. The chicken is then tossed in a rich hot honey sauce made with butter, honey, smoked paprika, garlic, and cayenne pepper, giving it a sweet heat that’s sure to impress.
To balance the heat, the sandwich is topped with a creamy homemade coleslaw. The coleslaw features a mix of tri-colored cabbage and carrots, coated in a tangy, slightly sweet dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a dash of cayenne pepper provide extra depth of flavor, while the coleslaw adds crunch and coolness to each bite of the sandwich.
The final touch is serving the hot honey chicken on a toasted brioche bun, which offers a soft, slightly sweet base for the spicy chicken and cool coleslaw. For those who want an extra kick, a drizzle of Kinder’s Hot Honey BBQ sauce is an optional but delicious addition. These sandwiches are perfect for a casual dinner or gathering, especially when paired with potato wedges or chips for a complete meal.
This recipe also offers flexibility: you can make it entirely from scratch or save time by using a store-bought hot honey rub or sauce. Plus, the hot honey sauce can be doubled for those who prefer a saucier sandwich or if the chicken turns out drier than expected. Simple yet bursting with flavor, these Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are sure to become a crowd favorite!
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches with Coleslaw
Ingredients
Chicken Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup butter melted
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Coleslaw Ingredients:
- 16 oz tri-colored coleslaw mix
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
For the Sandwiches:
- Brioche hamburger buns or slider buns
- Kinder's Hot Honey BBQ sauce optional
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth to a crock pot, followed by the chicken breasts. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Cook on low for 3–4 hours or on high for 1–2 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Fold in the coleslaw mix until everything is well-coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- About 10 minutes before the chicken is done, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Whisk in the honey, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. If the sauce thickens, microwave it for 10–15 seconds to re-liquefy.
- Once the chicken is done, remove it from the crock pot and shred it with two forks.
- Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid, discard the rest.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot along with the reserved liquid and the hot honey sauce. Toss the chicken in the sauce until well-coated. Set the crock pot to “warm.”
- Toast the brioche buns.
- Pile the hot honey chicken on the bottom bun. Add extra Kinder’s Hot Honey BBQ sauce if desired.
- Top with coleslaw, then add the top bun.
- Enjoy with potato wedges or chips!
Notes:
- To save time, you can replace the homemade hot honey sauce with 2 cups of Kinder's Hot Honey Rub.
- For extra saucy chicken, double the hot honey sauce recipe.