Save Bring the heat and the crunch to your next gathering with this Spicy Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich Bake. It captures everything you love about a classic spicy chicken sandwich—crispy breading, tangy pickles, and melted cheese—and transforms it into a crowd-pleasing, pull-apart slider bake. Perfectly glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey butter, these sliders are a guaranteed hit for game day or a fun family dinner.
Save Marinating the chicken in buttermilk ensures every bite is tender and juicy, while the combination of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper in the breading adds layers of flavor. Assembly is a breeze, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the meal and less time at the stove.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken: 12 chicken tenders (about 1.5 lbs), 1 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg, 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, cooking spray or 3 tbsp neutral oil.
- For the Hot Honey Butter: 6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted), ¼ cup honey, 1 ½ tbsp hot sauce, ½ tsp chili flakes (optional), ¼ tsp salt.
- For Assembly: 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls, 8 slices cheddar or pepper jack cheese, ½ cup sliced dill pickles, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional).
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Step 2: Marinate
- In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. Add the chicken tenders and let them marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Mix Breading
- In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 4: Coat Chicken
- Remove each tender from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake
- Spray the tops with cooking spray or drizzle with oil. Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Step 6: Make Sauce
- While the chicken is in the oven, whisk together the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, chili flakes, and salt in a small bowl.
- Step 7: Toss
- Once baked, toss the hot chicken tenders in the honey butter sauce until they are fully and evenly coated.
- Step 8: Prepare Buns
- Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Slice the slider buns horizontally, keeping the bottoms connected, and place the bottom half in a baking dish.
- Step 9: Assemble
- Layer the cheese slices over the buns, followed by the sauced chicken tenders and sliced pickles. Cover with the bun tops.
- Step 10: Glaze Buns
- Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you are using them.
- Step 11: Final Bake
- Bake uncovered for 7–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.
- Step 12: Serve
- Serve warm; pull the sliders apart and enjoy immediately!
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To ensure the crispiest result, make sure the oven is fully preheated before adding the chicken. Letting the excess buttermilk drip off before breading prevents the coating from becoming soggy. If you want a deeper color on your buns, you can broil them for the last 60 seconds of the final bake, but watch them closely to prevent burning.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For an extra-crunchy exterior, you can double-coat the chicken by dipping it back into the buttermilk and breadcrumbs a second time. If you prefer a vegetarian option, swap the chicken tenders for breaded plant-based tenders. You can also customize the heat level by using your favorite hot sauce or adding extra chili flakes to the glaze.
Serviervorschläge
These spicy sliders pair beautifully with a cool, creamy coleslaw or a crisp green salad to balance the richness of the cheese and the heat of the honey butter. They also make a fantastic meal when served alongside sweet potato fries or a bowl of potato salad.
Save With its irresistible combination of textures and flavors, this Spicy Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich Bake is destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Simple to prepare yet impressively delicious, it is the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Cooking Guide
- → Can I make these chicken sliders ahead of time?
Prepare the breaded chicken tenders up to a day in advance and store them refrigerated. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- → What type of cheese works best for these sliders?
Cheddar and pepper jack both melt beautifully and complement the spicy honey butter. Provolone or American cheese would also work well if you prefer milder flavor.
- → How can I make these sliders spicier?
Increase the cayenne pepper in the breading, add extra hot sauce to the honey butter mixture, or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for more heat.
- → Can I use regular chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Cut chicken breasts into strips of similar size to tenders. Pound them lightly to even thickness so they cook through evenly during baking.
- → What sides pair well with these honey butter chicken sliders?
Creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or a fresh green salad balance the rich flavors. Roasted vegetables or sweet potato fries also make excellent accompaniments.
- → How do I store leftover sliders?
Store assembled sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to restore crispiness.