Save Bring the heat and crunch to your next gathering with this Spicy Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich Bake. This recipe takes everything you love about a classic spicy chicken sandwich—the crispy texture, the sweet-and-spicy glaze, and the tang of pickles—and turns it into an easy, pull-apart slider feast that is perfect for game day or a fun family dinner.
Save Transforming individual sandwiches into a cohesive bake allows the flavors to meld together as the cheese melts and the buns become perfectly toasted. By using buttermilk to marinate the chicken and a specific blend of spices in the breading, you ensure each slider is packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders- 12 chicken tenders (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Cooking spray or oil for baking
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1–2 tablespoons hot sauce (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup sliced dill pickles
- 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese, halved
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing buns)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease.
- Step 2
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk and 1 teaspoon hot sauce. Add chicken tenders, toss to coat, and marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to overnight for best flavor).
- Step 3
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, panko, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Step 4
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour-panko mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Step 5
- Arrange breaded tenders on the prepared sheet. Lightly spray with cooking oil. Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- Step 6
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine melted butter, honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Warm over low heat, stirring, until combined.
- Step 7
- Once chicken is baked, brush generously with hot honey butter on both sides.
- Step 8
- Lower oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 9
- Slice slider buns horizontally (keeping bottoms and tops connected if possible). Place bottom halves in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 10
- Layer with half the cheese, followed by pickles, then the hot honey butter chicken tenders. Drizzle with extra hot honey butter. Top with remaining cheese, then place bun tops over.
- Step 11
- Brush buns with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Step 12
- Bake uncovered for 8–10 minutes, until cheese is melted and buns are lightly toasted.
- Step 13
- Cool slightly, then pull apart and serve warm.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For the best flavor and tenderness, allow the chicken to marinate in the buttermilk mixture for as long as possible. When breading the chicken, press the panko mixture firmly onto the tenders to ensure a thick, crispy crust that stays attached during the bake. Also, flipping the tenders halfway through baking is key for even browning.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a spicier twist, swap the sharp cheddar for pepper jack cheese. If you're short on time, you can use high-quality store-bought breaded chicken tenders as a shortcut. For extra heat, increase the amount of hot sauce or cayenne pepper in the honey butter glaze.
Serviervorschläge
Serve these pull-apart sliders warm with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. They pair perfectly with a fresh coleslaw or extra dill pickle spears to provide a refreshing contrast to the spicy and sweet flavors.
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These Spicy Honey Butter Chicken sliders are guaranteed to be a hit. With their perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch, they offer a satisfying and flavorful bite that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Enjoy this ultimate game-day comfort food!
Cooking Guide
- → Can I prepare these sliders ahead of time?
Assemble everything up to step 11, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking cold from the refrigerator.
- → What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
Wrap individual sliders in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving, which makes the buns soggy and the chicken lose crispiness.
- → Can I use store-bought chicken tenders?
Absolutely—use frozen breaded tenders and bake according to package directions. Toss with the hot honey butter after baking before assembling the sliders for a quicker version.
- → How can I make these less spicy?
Reduce cayenne in the breading to 1/4 teaspoon and use only 1 tablespoon hot sauce in the honey butter. Omit red pepper flakes entirely for a mild version kids will enjoy.
- → What sides pair well with these sliders?
Serve with crispy potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple green salad with ranch dressing. Extra pickles and a side of blue cheese or ranch for dipping round out the meal perfectly.
- → Can I freeze these before baking?
Assemble sliders completely, wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking as directed.