The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich is a delightful twist on the Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. This sandwich features an original Chick-fil-A filet drizzled with honey, topped with pimento cheese, and served on a warm, toasted bun with mild pickled jalapeños. The combination creates a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors that are sure to please any palate.I recently decided to make this sandwich at home, inspired by the craze surrounding it.
Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich Review: The Answer
My recipe includes grilled chicken thighs and home made pimento cheese. The addition of jalapeño peppers and grilled chicken results in a tender, juicy sandwich. The rage for fried chicken sandwiches is undeniable, but this version brings a special twist with pimento cheese and chicken thighs, which are juicier and more flavorful. By frying the chicken thighs with spices like smoked paprika, each bite delivers a delicious taste. Though Pimento cheese sandwiches are typically served cold, using the spread on a hot chicken filet elevates the experience.
Ingredients
To make a delicious honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich, follow these steps:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Season with 2 tablespoons of chicken rub or all-purpose BBQ rub.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Prepare the Sandwich:
- Use 2 brioche buns.
- Top with 8–10 pickled jalapeños.
- Add 1 cup of shredded lettuce.
- Drizzle generously with honey.
- Add a big scoop of pimento cheese.
- Make the Pimento Cheese:
- Mix 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add 2 ozs jarred pimentos.
- Incorporate 1/2 cup mayonnaise.
- Blend in 4 ozs softened cream cheese.
- Season with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Add 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
Instructions
To create your honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich, follow these steps:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Coat the chicken thighs with olive oil.
- Season with chicken rub or all-purpose BBQ rub.
- Grill the Chicken:
- Grill on medium-high heat.
- Flip until cooked through and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Make the Pimento Cheese:
- While the chicken is grilling, combine all the pimento cheese ingredients.
- Mix well.
- Assemble the Sandwich:
- Toast the brioche buns if desired.
- Add a layer of shredded lettuce on the bottom bun.
- Top with pickled jalapeños.
- Place the grilled chicken thigh on top.
- Add a big spoonful of pimento cheese.
- Finish with a drizzle of honey.
- Enjoy:
- Savor your delicious creation!
Seasoning and grilling chicken thighs
For a delicious honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich, start by using chicken thighs because they have higher fat content. This gives the chicken more flavor and tenderness. I like to season the thighs with an easy smoked chicken dry rub seasoning, but an all purpose rub or bbq seasoning works too.
Drizzle a bit of olive oil on each chicken thigh and season them well. Grill the chicken over direct heat, flipping it until you get a beautiful char and it’s fully cooked. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe eating. This grilling method keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful, perfect for your sandwich.
Homemade Pimento Cheese
Homemade pimento cheese is really easy to make and tastes much better than the store bought version. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, cream cheese, pimento, and cheddar cheese. Add onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix everything well to combine, then refrigerate until you are ready to use. This creamy, flavorful spread is perfect for your honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich.
Homemade Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich
Once the chicken thigh is grilled and the pimento cheese is made, it’s time to assemble your sandwich. Start by adding some shredded lettuce to the bottom of a brioche bun, followed by 4-5 pickled jalapeños. Place the chicken thigh on top, then add a big scoop of pimento cheese and a generous drizzle of honey. Press the top bun down and smush the cheese so it spreads across the sandwich. Take a big bite and enjoy your hard work in this delicious and satisfying meal.
Storing Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwiches
When storing Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwiches, keep the components separately. Store the pimento cheese and chicken breasts in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months. To reheat, warm up the breaded chicken breasts in an air fryer or oven (best oven in responsibility price) to keep them crunchy on the outside. The microwave works too, but they may lose their crunch. Wait to toast the buns and assemble the sandwiches until you’re ready to enjoy them. For a different twist, try RANCH CHICKEN WINGS OVEN & AIR FRYER as a side dish.
More Healthy Dishes
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Dutch Oven Whole Chicken, Potatoes & Carrots
Note
Variations and Substitutions
For a twist on the classic honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich, you can choose your favorite breading, or go with no breading for a lighter option. This sandwich is delicious even with a grilled chicken breast. If you want to switch up the meat, try using Pimento cheese, Jalapenos, and honey on a turkey burger or lean lunch meat for a fun and tasty substitute.
To make it healthier, consider wrapping the sandwich in lettuce instead of a bun. You can also use gluten-free buns to make it gluten-free. For a party, turn them into sliders by cutting the chicken into smaller pieces and using rolls instead of regular buns. These great sliders make perfect party food and smaller portions. Don’t forget, air fryer breakfast sausage links can also be a delightful addition to your meal.
Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich Nutrition
- When enjoying a Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, it’s good to know its nutritional value. A serving of 1 sandwich contains 554 kcal, making it a moderately high-calorie option. It has 51 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of protein, providing a decent energy boost and a good amount of muscle-building nutrients.
- The sandwich also has 28 g of fat, with 10 g being saturated fat. Additionally, there are 2 g of polyunsaturated fat and 10 g of monounsaturated fat, which are healthier types of fats. The trans fat content is minimal at 0.01 g.
- For those monitoring their cholesterol intake, this sandwich has 93 mg of cholesterol and 1279 mg of sodium, which is quite high and should be considered if you are on a low-sodium diet. It also provides 861 mg of potassium, which is beneficial for heart health.
- In terms of dietary fiber and sugar, the sandwich has 5 g of fiber and 10 g of sugar. It also provides essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A (1244 IU), Vitamin C (21 mg), Calcium (379 mg), and Iron (4 mg).
- For those interested in a balanced diet, these nutritional details can help manage your intake while still enjoying this delicious sandwich. And if you’re making it at home, consider using air fryer breakfast sausage links for a unique twist
FAQS
What’s on the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich?
The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich is a delicious twist on the Original Chicken Sandwich. It features an original Chick-fil-A filet drizzled with honey, topped with pimento cheese, and served on a warm, toasted bun with mild pickled jalapeños. This combination creates a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, making it a unique and tasty choice for any meal.
What happened to the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich?
Chick-fil-A fans were left furious when the fast-food chain ditched its popular seasonal spin on the original chicken sandwich. The honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich was pulled from all Chick-fil-A locations in the US on November 11, after making its restaurant debut on August 28. Despite its popularity, this limited-time offering was only available for a short period, leaving many fans disappointed.
Is the Honey Pimento Sandwich Spicy?
If you get a full bite with all the included flavors — the honey, pimento cheese, and jalapeño — you will experience a distinctly sweet and spicy bite that is truly delicious. Although I don’t usually gravitate towards these flavors individually in sandwiches, together they comingle in perfect harmony. The combination of sweet from the honey and the mild heat from the jalapeño makes this sandwich a delightful blend of tastes.