Chili Crisp Honey Chicken (Printable View)

Sweet and spicy chicken with melty cheese on crisp buttery bread, perfect for a quick flavorful meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
02 - 2 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons chili crisp, plus extra for serving
04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Sandwich

07 - 8 slices sourdough or sturdy sandwich bread
08 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, optional for extra crispness

# How to Make:

01 - Combine shredded chicken, honey, chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and black pepper in a medium bowl; mix thoroughly to coat evenly. Set aside.
02 - In a separate bowl, blend shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese.
03 - Arrange bread slices; spread softened butter thinly on one side of each. Optionally, spread mayonnaise on the opposite side for enhanced crispness.
04 - On the unbuttered side of half the bread slices, layer cheese mixture, followed by the honey chili crisp chicken, then top with additional cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, ensuring buttered sides face outward.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese melts. Work in batches if needed.
06 - Remove from heat, let cool slightly, slice, and serve with extra chili crisp if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did, which feels like a small victory.
  • The honey and chili crisp create this sweet-spicy tension that makes every bite feel a little bit dangerous in the best way.
  • One sandwich can genuinely satisfy a person, but everyone always wants seconds because the flavors are just that bold.
02 -
  • The butter has to be softened or you'll spend five frustrating minutes trying to spread it without tearing the bread; room temperature is your friend.
  • Pressing gently on the sandwich while it cooks speeds up the melting and ensures every surface touches the hot pan.
  • Don't skip the rest time after cooking; those few seconds let the cheese set so your sandwich holds together when you bite into it.
03 -
  • Make the chicken mixture several hours ahead; the flavors actually deepen as it sits, so you're not sacrificing anything by prepping early.
  • If your bread is slightly dry, this sandwich actually works better because the butter and mayo create enough moisture without making it soggy in the middle.
  • A griddle beats a skillet for these because you can fit more sandwiches at once and the heat distributes more evenly across the surface.
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