Chili Crisp Honey Chicken Cheese (Printer View)

Sweet and spicy honey chili chicken meets melty cheese on buttery, crisp sourdough bread.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken Mixture

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
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 Assembly

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)

# Method:

01 - Combine shredded chicken, honey, chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly until evenly coated. Set aside.
02 - In a separate bowl, mix shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses until evenly blended.
03 - Arrange bread slices on a flat surface. Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. If desired, spread mayonnaise on the opposite side for added crispness.
04 - On the unbuttered side of half the bread slices, layer cheese mixture generously, then the honey chili crisp chicken, followed by more cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side outward.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan, cooking 3 to 4 minutes per side while pressing gently with a spatula until bread is golden and cheese has melted. Work in batches if necessary.
06 - Remove sandwiches from heat, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve with extra chili crisp if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's crispy, melty, and genuinely craveable—comfort food with an edge.
  • Takes less than thirty minutes from start to butter-golden finish.
  • Feels fancy enough to impress, simple enough to make on a weeknight.
02 -
  • Softened butter spreads evenly and browns better than cold butter, which tears the bread and creates uneven browning.
  • Medium heat is non-negotiable—too hot and the bread burns before the cheese melts, too low and you end up with pale, soggy bread.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently as it cooks—this creates better contact with the pan and helps the cheese melt evenly without squeezing the filling out.
  • Let the skillet warm fully before adding the sandwiches; a properly preheated surface is the difference between golden and pale.
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