A Southern comfort classic with a modern twist, this sandwich combines crispy fried chicken, spicy-sweet hot honey, and a rich, creamy pimento cheese spread on a buttery brioche bun. Each layer delivers bold flavors and contrasting textures, creating an unforgettable sandwich that captures the essence of Southern cuisine with an extra kick. Whether you crave crispy fried chicken, tangy pimento cheese, or a drizzle of hot honey, this sandwich brings it all together in perfect harmony.
Perfectly Brined and Crispy Fried Chicken
The foundation of this sandwich is tender, flavorful fried chicken, brined in pickle juice and buttermilk. This brining process infuses the chicken with tangy depth while keeping it incredibly juicy. The pickle juice and buttermilk work together to break down protein fibers, resulting in ultra-tender, flavorful meat.
After brining, the chicken gets dredged in a seasoned flour and cornstarch mixture, creating a light yet crispy coating when fried. The blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper adds layers of flavor that enhance the crispy crust without overwhelming the dish. The cornstarch ensures the chicken fries up extra crispy, giving every bite a satisfying crunch.
The Sweet and Spicy Kick of Hot Honey
What elevates this sandwich is the hot honey drizzle, balancing sweetness with a touch of heat. Made with pure honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes, this glaze adds an extra dimension that complements both the chicken’s crunch and the pimento cheese’s richness.
The honey’s natural sweetness tames the heat, creating a well-balanced contrast that enhances every bite. As the hot honey soaks into the crispy chicken, it forms a sticky, flavorful glaze that makes each mouthful even more indulgent.
Rich, Creamy Pimento Cheese with a Twist
No Southern-style sandwich would be complete without homemade pimento cheese, and this version kicks things up by combining sharp cheddar and creamy goat cheese. The result is a silky, tangy, and slightly sweet cheese spread that pairs beautifully with the crispy chicken.
This pimento cheese blend includes:
- Sharp cheddar for a bold, classic flavor
- Goat cheese for a smooth, slightly tangy contrast
- Mayonnaise for extra creaminess
- Diced pimentos for sweetness and color
- Garlic for depth and savory balance
The combination of these ingredients makes the pimento cheese rich yet balanced, adding a creamy counterpoint to the crispy chicken and spicy-sweet honey. The goat cheese introduces a modern twist, making this pimento cheese even more decadent than the traditional Southern version.
Brioche Buns and Pickles: The Perfect Finish
The sandwich is built on a soft, buttery brioche bun to bring everything together. The light, fluffy texture of brioche absorbs the juices from the hot honey and fried chicken, ensuring every bite stays moist and flavorful. The buttery richness of the bread perfectly complements the spicy-sweet elements, creating an irresistibly indulgent experience.
Adding crisp pickle slices provides a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the pimento cheese and the heat of the honey. The pickles offer extra crunch and bright acidity, beautifully rounding out the sweet, spicy, creamy, and crispy components of the sandwich.
Why This Sandwich Stands Out
- Bold flavor contrasts – The combination of hot honey, crispy fried chicken, and creamy pimento cheese creates a unique balance of heat, sweetness, and richness.
- Perfectly tender chicken – The pickle juice and buttermilk brine ensure juiciness in every bite, while the seasoned flour coating delivers an ideal crispy texture.
- Decadent cheese layer – The sharp cheddar and goat cheese blend makes this pimento cheese extra creamy and tangy, enhancing the sandwich’s depth.
- Southern-inspired with a modern twist – This sandwich takes classic Southern flavors and elevates them with thoughtful, gourmet ingredients.
- A satisfying texture combination – From the crispy chicken and crunchy pickles to the creamy cheese and soft brioche, every bite offers rich, indulgent, and well-balanced textures.
The Ultimate Comfort Food with a Kick
The Hot Honey Chicken Pimento Cheese Sandwich is a bold, indulgent meal that captures the essence of Southern cuisine while introducing a modern, elevated twist. The marriage of crispy, juicy fried chicken, spicy-sweet hot honey, and tangy, creamy pimento cheese creates a one-of-a-kind sandwich that delivers complex flavor layers in every bite.
Perfect for weekend indulgence, cookouts, or game day feasting, this sandwich delivers a satisfying balance of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and spicy elements. Whether you’re a fried chicken enthusiast, a pimento cheese lover, or simply someone who enjoys bold comfort food, this sandwich will quickly become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
Hot Honey Chicken Pimento Cheese Sandwich
4
servings4
hours30
minutes4
hours30
minutesThe Hot Honey Chicken Pimento Cheese Sandwich combines crispy pickle-brined fried chicken, creamy homemade pimento cheese, and a drizzle of sweet-spicy hot honey on a soft brioche bun. This Southern-inspired sandwich features bold flavors and textures that make every bite unforgettable.
Ingredients
- For the Fried Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup pickle juice
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
for frying, canola oil
- For the Hot Honey
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- For the Homemade Pimento Cheese
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup pimento peppers, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
- For the Sandwich
4 brioche buns, toasted
pickle slices
Directions
- Brine the Chicken:
Combine the pickle juice and buttermilk in a bowl. Add the chicken thighs and let them brine in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight for maximum flavor. - Make the Pimento Cheese:
Mix the sharp cheddar, goat cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and minced garlic in a bowl until well combined and creamy. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble the sandwiches. - Prepare the Hot Honey:
Warm the honey over low heat in a saucepan. Stir in the hot sauce and red pepper flakes, then set aside. - Coat and Fry the Chicken:
Combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Remove the chicken from the pickle juice and buttermilk brine, and dip each piece into the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a thorough coating. Heat canola oil to 350°F (175°C) in a skillet and fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. - Assemble the Sandwich:
Place a fried chicken thigh atop the bottom half of a brioche bun and drizzle with the hot honey. Spread a generous layer of pimento cheese on top. Add pickle slices, then top with the other half of the bun.
SUGGESTED RECIPE: Southern-Inspired Braised Beef Short Ribs and Fried Green Tomatoes
If you loved the Hot Honey Chicken Pimento Cheese Sandwich, the Southern-Style Braised Beef Short Ribs with Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes takes those bold, comforting flavors to the next level. Slow-braised, fall-apart beef meets crispy, tangy tomatoes for a perfect contrast of textures and deep Southern flavors. It’s a hearty, soulful dish that’s just as satisfying as that crispy, spicy-sweet sandwich.
