Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
If you love a good chicken sandwich, this is the recipe you’ve been looking for. Sweet and spicy, warm and flavorful, the hot honey chicken sandwiches are a go-to fast meal when you want something hot, but super easy. Just throw it in the crockpot, and come back later to dinner!
What makes this recipe incredible is that it’s literally a hands-off meal. You can start it after school and enjoy hot chicken on a bun after the soccer match. Throw it on a plate with chips and you have delicious food at a fraction of the cost of fast food these days.
If you love your slow cooker, I highly recommend this meal plan. It’s one of our best sellers, and is a great sampling from the Freezer Meals 101 Club. The chicken marinates in the sauce as it freezes and thaws, so the end result is tender, juicy, and delicious shredded chicken.
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 cup honey, melted
- 1 Tbsp. vinegar
- 1/4 cup butter
For Day of Serving
- buns
- pickles
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
Assembly Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large resealable freezer bag.
- Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.
Cooking Instructions
- Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Cook on low in a slow cooker for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.
- Shred and serve on buns with pickle slices.
What is the easiest way to shred chicken?
A hand mixer makes shredding chicken so easy! For best results, place the chicken in a deep mixing bowl, insert a hand mixer, and turn it up slowly from low to high. Take care not to splash hot juice on yourself. You can use the hand mixer directly in the crock pot stone, but because it is more shallow, you risk hot liquid injuries or mess. If you have one, you can also use a stand mixer with a shield for the best of both worlds.
Can I shred chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Breasts are best for shredding because of the long thin strands of meat. Thighs will work, but you’ll end up with a more mushy texture, with a high moisture content, and shorter strands of meat. You might also like these Zippy Shredded Chicken Tacos by the way.
Does the sandwich need a sauce?
You can serve the hot honey chicken sandwich with a sweet bbq sauce or mayonnaise but it also stands on its own two feet without sauce and still has tons of flavor.
How much protein is there in a chicken sandwich?
A standard serving of 1/2 cup of shredded chicken has between 25-28 grams of protein.
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe Ideas
The cayenne pepper gives this recipe some heat. If you are shy of heat, back off on this ingredient or replace it with a more mild chili. To get more heat in every bite, add hot sauce to the freezer bag. You can find so many varieties of hot sauce to add different flavors to your chicken and keep things exciting.
While perfect for sandwiches, this shredded chicken would also work well for rice bowls, salads, pasta dishes, soups, bbq chicken pizza, or casseroles. You can use it in enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, or piled over beans and rice too. Basically anywhere you would use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken to save time, you could use this chicken in its place. And it has more flavor.
If you have an Instant Pot, thawed chicken will cook to shredding consistency in about 25 minutes on high pressure, though it might dry out a bit. This comes in super handy when you forget to start the crock pot.
Regular paprika works fine. Smoked paprika adds a different flavor nuance for those who love smoked foods. We also use smoked paprika in this Grilled Flank Steak freezer meal recipe.
Change up how you serve the sandwich. Different buns can change the whole vibe. New sauces, ranging from honey mustard to bbq to ranch can make it a whole new meal. Different toppings like cheddar cheese slices, onion straws, or garden-fresh tomatoes can make a sandwich new and interesting.
How do I store Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
If you have leftover cooked shredded chicken, it can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to three days. It can also be frozen and kept for up to six months in a freezer-quality bag or airtight container. Freeze in pre-portioned sized for quick lunches for individuals. Reheat or thaw chicken in the microwave to serve. After the cooked chicken is frozen, it does dry out and is more likely to need a sauce.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
Fantastic with fries, chips, or tater tots, these sandwiches go with anything you can think of that works well with a sandwich. Fresh grapes, strawberries, or watermelon, a bright and crisp salad, or raw veggies and dip are all good choices. Fries and coleslaw are probably the most traditional options.
- 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup honey, melted
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1/4 cup butter
- buns
- pickles
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Place all ingredients in a large resealable freezer bag.
-
Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.
-
Thaw in the fridge overnight.
-
Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.
-
Shred and serve on buns with pickle slices.
