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Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 108 reviews

This Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich features tender shredded chicken tossed in a flavorful hot sauce and spice blend, combined with crunchy toasted panko breadcrumbs for extra texture. Layered with sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese between buttery toasted thick-cut bread slices, this sandwich is pan-grilled to golden perfection with melted cheese oozing inside, offering a delightful balance of spice, crunch, and melty goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Mixture

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot or Sriracha)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Crispy Coating

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Sandwich Components

  • 8 slices thick-cut bread (e.g., sourdough or country white)
  • 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 slices pepper jack cheese
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for toasting the panko breadcrumbs.
  2. Prepare Spicy Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, optional cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated with all the spices and sauce.
  3. Toast Panko Breadcrumbs: Spread the panko breadcrumbs evenly on a baking sheet. Drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the crumbs and toss gently to coat all breadcrumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 5–7 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the breadcrumbs turn golden and crisp. Remove and let cool slightly.
  4. Combine Panko and Chicken: Add the toasted, buttery panko breadcrumbs to the spicy chicken mixture. Stir well to distribute the crispy crumbs evenly throughout the chicken.
  5. Prepare Bread Slices: Arrange the eight slices of thick-cut bread on a flat surface. Spread the softened unsalted butter on one side of each slice; these buttery sides will be the exterior of the sandwiches when cooking.
  6. Assemble Sandwiches: On the unbuttered side of four bread slices, layer one slice of sharp cheddar cheese, then add a generous portion of the spicy crispy chicken mixture, followed by one slice of pepper jack cheese, then one more slice of sharp cheddar. Top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, ensuring the buttered side is facing outward to get a crispy, golden crust when cooked.
  7. Cook Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the prepared sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula to help the sandwich stay compact and ensure even grilling. Cook until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside has fully melted.
  8. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for a couple of minutes before cutting and serving. This resting helps the cheese set slightly and prevents the filling from spilling out immediately.

Notes

  • You can adjust the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper to control the spiciness level to your preference.
  • Using thick-cut bread like sourdough or country white ensures the sandwich holds the filling well and crisps nicely.
  • To make the sandwich extra melty, use full-fat sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with crispy fried tofu or a plant-based chicken alternative.
  • Make sure to press down gently while grilling to help the cheese melt evenly and the sandwich bind together.

Keywords: spicy crispy chicken sandwich, chicken sandwich, crispy panko chicken, spicy chicken recipe, grilled chicken sandwich, easy chicken sandwich

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/spicy-crispy-chicken-sandwich-recipe/