Chili Crisp Honey Chicken Cheese (Printer-Friendly)

Sweet and spicy shredded chicken with melty cheese layered on crispy buttered bread for a flavorful sandwich.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
02 - 2 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons chili crisp sauce, plus extra for serving
04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Sandwich Components

07 - 8 slices sourdough or sturdy sandwich bread
08 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional, for extra crispness)

# Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, honey, chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside.
02 - In a separate bowl, mix together shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese until well blended.
03 - Lay out bread slices. Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. Optionally, spread mayonnaise on the opposite side for enhanced crispness.
04 - On the unbuttered side of half the bread slices, layer a generous amount of the cheese mixture, followed by the honey chili crisp chicken, then top with more cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, ensuring buttered side faces outward.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches on the skillet, working in batches if necessary. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches from skillet, allow to cool slightly, then slice and serve with extra chili crisp if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The honey-chili balance hits that sweet-spicy craving that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It comes together in 25 minutes—fast enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve guests.
  • One sandwich is substantial enough to feel like real food, not just a light lunch.
02 -
  • Medium heat is key—if your pan is too hot, the bread burns before the cheese melts, and if it's too low, you end up with a pale sandwich and congealed filling instead of oozy cheese.
  • The chicken mixture needs to sit in that honey-chili-soy coating for at least a minute so the flavors actually stick to the chicken instead of just sliding off when you bite into it.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently in the pan with a spatula as it cooks—not enough to squash it, but enough to ensure every surface of bread makes contact with the heat so you get that even, golden crust.
  • If the cheese isn't fully melted when the bread is golden, lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid for 30 seconds to trap steam and finish melting it without burning the crust.
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