Flavorful Jalapeno Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe
This Flavorful Jalapeno Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe combines crispy, tender fried chicken coated with a spicy and sweet jalapeno-infused honey glaze. Served on lightly toasted brioche buns with shredded lettuce, pickles, and mayonnaise, this sandwich is a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch, ideal for a satisfying meal any time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Coating
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Jalapeno Honey Glaze
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2–3 fresh jalapenos, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Sandwich Assembly
- 4 brioche buns, lightly toasted
- 4 slices of pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Coating: In another large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful and crispy coating mix.
- Heat the Oil: Pour enough oil into a frying pan or Dutch oven to submerge the chicken pieces. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s hot enough to fry the chicken properly.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a full coating. Shake off any excess flour to avoid clumping.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully lower the coated chicken into the hot oil. Fry each side for 5-7 minutes until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove the chicken and place it on a wire rack to drain excess oil and keep it crispy.
- Make the Jalapeno Honey Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine honey, finely chopped jalapenos, and apple cider vinegar. Warm the mixture until fragrant and the honey absorbs the jalapeno flavor, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise evenly on the bottom halves of the toasted brioche buns. Layer with shredded lettuce, one piece of fried chicken, a generous drizzle of the jalapeno honey glaze, and a slice of pickle. Top with the bun’s top half. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more jalapenos to the honey glaze or include jalapeno slices in the sandwich.
- Marinating the chicken overnight results in juicier and more flavorful meat.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and jalapenos.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the oil temperature stays steady at 350°F for perfect frying.
- Substituting chicken breasts is fine, but thighs tend to stay more moist and flavorful.
- Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: fried chicken sandwich, jalapeno honey glaze, crispy fried chicken, spicy chicken sandwich, brioche bun, homemade fried chicken