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+ servings

California-Style Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich

A baked hot honey chicken sandwich with a spicy-sweet glaze, crunchy panko crust, and cool ranch slaw—healthier than fried but just as satisfying.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Lunch, Quick Meals
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 8 ounces each, patted dry
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Hot Honey Butter
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Assembly
  • 4 burger buns split and toasted
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk ranch dressing

Method
 

Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
  4. In a third shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining garlic powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then coat with the panko mixture, pressing firmly so the crumbs adhere.
  6. Place the coated chicken on a greased wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the breading set.
  7. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the chicken from the fridge and spray both sides with cooking spray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the coating is golden and the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
Hot Honey Butter
  1. While the chicken bakes, whisk together the melted butter, honey, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
  2. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven. Brush the hot honey butter generously over each piece until fully coated.
Assembly
  1. Spread ranch dressing on the cut sides of each bun. Place a piece of the coated chicken on the bottom half, then top with a handful of shredded lettuce. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 38gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 195mgSodium: 1150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18g

Notes

To even out chicken thickness, slice each breast in half horizontally before breading. Press panko firmly onto the chicken to ensure it sticks. Refrigerating the breaded chicken for 30 minutes helps the coating adhere better. For a vegetarian version, substitute extra-firm tofu slices pressed dry for 1 hour. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat in a 350°F oven to crisp the coating. Serve with extra ranch or a drizzle of honey for added sweetness.

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