Chili Crisp Honey Chicken Cheese (Print Version)

Sweet, spicy chicken with melted mozzarella and cheddar in golden, buttery sourdough slices.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
02 - 2 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons chili crisp, 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)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, honey, chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Mix until chicken is uniformly coated and set aside.
02 - In a separate bowl, mix shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese.
03 - Lay out bread slices and 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 cheese mixture, then the honey chili crisp chicken, followed by more cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side out.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches on the skillet in batches if needed. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let cool slightly, then slice and serve with additional chili crisp if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under 25 minutes but tastes like you actually spent time thinking about dinner.
  • The honey and chili crisp combination hits sweet, spicy, and savory all at once—basically a flavor breakthrough on bread.
  • It uses pantry staples and leftover chicken, so you can make it whenever the craving hits without a grocery run.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here—high heat will burn the bread before the cheese melts through, which I learned the hard way the first time.
  • Softening the butter matters more than you'd think; cold butter tears the bread, but soft butter spreads smooth and browns evenly.
03 -
  • Butter your skillet lightly instead of just relying on the butter on the bread—it helps the whole thing brown evenly and get crisper.
  • A gentle press with a spatula while cooking helps the cheese melt faster and the bread get crunchy without squashing the sandwich flat.
Return