Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich Recipe Video

Why We Love This Copycat Chick-Fil-A Recipe

Today (well, really, every day) we are paying homage to the elusive Chick-fil-A Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich… Of all the fabulous original chicken sandwich offerings Chick-fil-A makes, this specialty sandwich loaded with honey, pickled jalapeño peppers, and pimento cheese is my favorite. However, it’s not available at all Chick-fil-A restaurants at all times. You have to wait for it to come around again. We’re here to help ease the pain by offering you a copycat make-at-home recipe for this fabulous sandwich with a unique spin! Bonus: You can use this recipe as the foundation to make other classic Chick-Fil-A sandwiches with that golden, crispy, and juicy chicken we all know and love. So exactly how do you replicate that iconic crunch and tender meat? The key to perfectly golden crispy chicken breast filet, just like on the Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and their sandwiches, is brining the chicken breast in pickle juice, breading the chicken just right, making sure to not over-fry, and let the chicken completely dry before assembling the sandwiches! We’ll show you how… But, before we go any further a quick note – don’t try to speed up the process! The extra time the chicken lays on the drying rack improves the texture of the breading.

Delicious Ingredients You Need

For the Chick Fil A Chicken –

Skinless chicken breasts – pounded thin if necessary to make them all uniform in size Dill pickle juice – the “secret ingredient” to tenderize and infuse the meat with flavor Sugar – a bit to balance the pickle and create a robust brine All-purpose flour and cornstarch – together they make a light but hearty coating that crisps up beautiful Spices – paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt Milk and eggs – the binder to hold the breading onto the chicken Peanut oil – for frying

For the Pimento Chicken Sandwiches –

Hamburger buns – choose buns that are soft and buttery (classic white or brioche buns for a subtly sweet flavor) Pimento cheese – store-bought or try our homemade creamy pimento cheese recipe (seriously, the best!) Pickled jalapenos – store-bought or homemade quick pickled jalapeños to offer a spicy kick Honey – regular or spicy hot (to add extra spicy elements!)

How to Fry Chicken for Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches

Step 1 – Brine

Cut the chicken breasts into halves, straight through the middle to make two thin chicken breast cutlets from each breast. You should have 8 pieces total. In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the pickle juice in the microwave, until hot to the touch. Stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Add the chicken cutlets and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, or overnight. Place in the refrigerator while brining.

Step 2 – Prep the Breading

While the chicken is brining in the pickle juice, mix the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl. Drain off the pickle juice and thoroughly pat each chicken breast cutlet dry with paper towels. This helps the breading hold tight to the chicken while frying. Don’t skip!

Step 3 – Dredge the Chicken

Set out a drying/cooling rack and dredge the chicken cutlets in the flour. Shake off all excess flour so the coating is very thin. Lay the chicken on the rack. Coat all the chicken pieces before moving on. Next beat the milk and eggs in a separate bowl. Pour 2 tablespoons of eggwash into the remaining flour mix and work it into little pebbles with your fingers. Dunk the chicken cutlets in the eggwash, then dip them back into the flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour and lay them back on the drying rack.

Step 4 – Fry the Chicken

Once all the chicken is double-dipped in the flour mixture, pour the oil into a large sauce pot. Turn the heat on medium to medium-high. Place a clip-on thermometer on the side of the pot and bring the temperature up to 350 degrees F. Once the oil is ready, gently place 3 of the chicken pieces to the hot oil. Stir once, and fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flipping once after 3 minutes. (If the temperature dips lower than 345 degrees F, the cooking time may need to be adjusted to 5-6 minutes, but the breading could get too dark. Watch the thermometer and adjust the heat as needed to keep the oil temperature right at 350.) Use a spider skimmer to scoop the chicken cutlets out of the oil. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate and let the fried chicken breasts completely dry before assembling. Allow the oil temperature to rise back to 350 degrees. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces two more times. You can keep the fried chicken pieces warm in a 200-degree F oven if you like.

How to Assemble a Honey Pimento Chicken Sandwich

Once all the chicken cutlets are cooked, open the hamburger buns. Cover the bottom buns with a layer of pickled jalapeños. Then place a fried chicken cutlet on top. Drizzle honey (or hot honey) over each chicken breast. Top with approximately ¼ cup of pimento cheese. Add the bun top and serve warm!

Recipe Variations

You technically can make fried chicken without brining. Although I highly suggest you don’t skip it if you have the time, if you do need to move things along quickly you can omit that step. It’s easy to make this a gluten-free Chick-Fil-A sandwich recipe! Simply use your preferred GF all-purpose flour and burger bun alternatives. Not a fan of spicy food? Simply leave off the jalapeños for a mild and more sweet sandwich. Use different types of chicken, if you like! Swap the classic fried breasts with crispy oven baked chicken cutlets, frozen and baked or air fried chicken, or grilled chicken without breading to make your sandwiches. Of course, you can make other original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches with this recipe as well. The classic with pickles, the deluxe with lettuce tomatoes pickles, and melty sharp cheddar cheese, or even the spicy deluxe sandwich with the addition of cayenne pepper in the breading mixture.

Serving Suggestions

The obvious must-have side dish for a Chick Fil A sandwich is a pile of crispy and pillowy waffle fries. Heat a frozen bag in the oven or air fryer for a quick and easy dinner. For some freshness, try our delicious carrot raisin salad recipe! It isn’t an exact copycat of the salad that Chick Fil A used to offer, but it has that nice cool, creamy, and crunchy goodness that is reminiscent of the original salad. Make it a truly unforgettable meal and serve these honey pepper pimento chicken sandwiches with a little something sweet on the side… Everyone loves a Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade or Peach Shake!