Chili Honey Chicken Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Sweet-spicy shredded chicken with honey and chili crisp, layered with melty cheeses and crisp bread.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Sandwiches

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)

# Steps:

01 - Combine shredded chicken, honey, chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until chicken is evenly coated. Set aside.
02 - Mix mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses together in a separate bowl.
03 - Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each bread slice. Optionally, spread mayonnaise on the opposite side for added crispiness.
04 - On the unbuttered side of half the bread slices, layer a generous portion of the cheese mixture, followed by the honey chili crisp chicken, then more cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan, cooking 3 to 4 minutes per side while gently pressing with a spatula until bread is golden brown and cheese melts.
06 - Remove sandwiches from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then slice and serve with extra chili crisp if desired.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet-spicy combo hits differently than anything you've made for lunch before.
  • It comes together in under 25 minutes but tastes like you've been in the kitchen all day.
  • Somehow fancy enough for guests, casual enough for a Tuesday night craving.
02 -
  • Bread thickness and type genuinely matter; thin, soft bread will tear and release filling everywhere.
  • Don't skip the resting period after cooking or you'll have a delicious but structurally chaotic sandwich.
  • The chicken mixture needs to be evenly coated—pockets of dry chicken will taste sad next to the glossy, coated bits.
03 -
  • Medium heat is your friend; too hot and the bread burns before the cheese melts through.
  • Shredding your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded creates better melting and a less gritty texture.
Go Back