Description
This Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich is absolutely phenomenal – so crispy on the outside but juicy and tender on the inside. The chicken is drenched in a spicy honey sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Spicy Honey Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoons hot sauce, I’ve used Valentina and franks red hot
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless thick chicken thighs (3 to 4 ounces each)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 potato burger buns
- 14-16 dill pickle chips
Instructions
- Start by making the sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, butter and hot sauce. Do not stop stirring until all the butter melts and the honey becomes thin. Set aside.
- Prep the chicken. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon chili powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. In another dish, add the buttermilk, remaining chili powder, and minced garlic. Stir each mixture with a fork until well combined. Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for 30 minutes. Toss the chicken in the flour, and add on a clean plate. Repeat with the rest.
- Heat up the oil. Heat a 2-inch depth of vegetable oil in a heavy large pot between medium and medium high heat. Use a thermometer! Oil must register to 375°F. Add the chicken into the oil and fry, turning once, for about 8 minutes, or until the chicken registers 170°F internal temperature. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and repeat with the rest of the chicken. When the chicken cools off a bit, dip into the spicy honey mixture!
- Assemble the chicken sandwiches. Add each fried chicken tossed in the honey mixture onto a bun. If you want, you can add mayonnaise as well as the pickles. Top with the bun and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate for flavor: Marinating the chicken in buttermilk, spices, and seasonings before frying can enhance its flavor and help tenderize the meat. Aim to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for maximum flavor.
- Proper oil temperature: It's crucial to maintain the right oil temperature while frying. If the oil is too hot, the chicken may burn on the outside before cooking through, and if it's too cool, the chicken can become greasy. The ideal frying temperature for chicken is around 375°F.
- Use a wire rack: After frying the chicken, place it on a wire rack rather than directly on a plate or paper towel. This allows excess oil to drain and helps keep the chicken crispy all around. If you don't have a wire rack, use paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Season the coating: Make sure to season the flour or breadcrumb coating for the chicken. This step adds extra flavor to the crust, enhancing the overall taste of the sandwich. You can add spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or any other preferred seasonings to the coating mixture.
- Don't overcrowd the frying pan: When frying the chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chicken in batches, allowing enough space between each piece. Overcrowding can cause the temperature of the oil to drop, resulting in greasy and less crispy chicken.
- Toast the buns: Toasting the buns adds a nice crunch and prevents them from becoming soggy when combined with the chicken and other toppings. You can toast them in a toaster, oven, or on a hot skillet with a little butter or oil.
- Customization and toppings: Feel free to experiment with different toppings and sauces to personalize your fried chicken sandwich. Popular options include lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, coleslaw, mayonnaise, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, or even a special homemade sauce or aioli.
- Serve it fresh: Fried chicken sandwiches are best enjoyed immediately after assembling. The longer the sandwich sits, the more the crispy coating can soften and become less appealing. So, assemble the sandwich just before serving to ensure maximum crispness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 561.0
- Sodium: 3,107.0 mg
- Fat: 14.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.0 g
- Carbohydrates: 76.7 g
- Fiber: 3.9 g
- Protein: 31.5 g
- Cholesterol: 66.5 mg
