Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and spicy with this Jalapeño Honey Drenched Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe. Crispy fried chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk and coated in seasoned flour, then assembled on toasted brioche buns with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, pickles, and a drizzle of jalapeño-infused honey.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- vegetable oil (for frying)
For the jalapeño honey:
- ½ cup honey
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- pinch of salt
For the sandwich:
- 4 brioche buns (toasted)
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 4–8 pickle slices
- mayo or spicy aioli (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor).
- Dredge the chicken: In a shallow dish, add flour and season lightly with salt and pepper. Dredge the marinated chicken in the flour, pressing to coat well.
- Fry the chicken: Heat oil in a skillet and fry the chicken thighs until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the jalapeño honey: Heat honey, sliced jalapeños, vinegar, and salt in a saucepan until slightly thickened.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread mayo or spicy aioli on toasted buns. Place chicken, cheese, lettuce, pickles, and jalapeño honey on the buns. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs stay juicier.
- For extra heat, add hot sauce to the marinade or use more jalapeños in the honey.
- This sandwich pairs well with sweet potato fries or slaw.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
