Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are so easy to prepare, and they're so delicious. The shredded chicken is coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce and it's all topped off with some cool, and tangy pickles.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches is everything right into the crockpot recipe.
- The shredded chicken is coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce and it's all topped off with some cool, crunchy pickles.
- The crock pot does all the work for you so you can just sit back and enjoy.
- Hot honey chicken sandwiches are perfect for family gatherings, game day snacks, and potlucks too.
Ingredient List
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- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- cayenne pepper
- smoked paprika
- garlic salt
- light brown sugar
- honey
- white vinegar
- unsalted butter
- hamburger buns
- sliced pickles, optional garnish
- non-stick cooking spray
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- meat claw
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Spray the slow cooker with some non-stick spray.
- Whisk together the cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic salt.
- Sprinkle seasoning all over the chicken. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle brown sugar, drizzle the honey, and pour the vinegar over the chicken. Place pieces of the butter on the chicken.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
- Once cooked, use meat claws or forks to shred the chicken. Add the chicken back to the slow cooker in the juices,
- Serve on soft buns with pickle slices.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- This recipe is mild to medium on the heat scale. If you like things spicy slowly increase the cayenne pepper until you get to the desired level of heat. If you prefer a milder flavor decrease the cayenne pepper to ½ tablespoon or even less if desired.
- I spray my slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up.
- I recommend cooking the chicken on low to have tender chicken. You can also cook the chicken on high if you are in a hurry.
- Serving this chicken for a party? Keep it warm in the slow cooker and allow your guests to make sandwiches as they go.
- This is a spicy recipe. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your family’s liking.
- Using 2 Tablespoons of cayenne was too spicy for us. I suggest using 1 Tablespoon. Move up from there if your family likes things hotter.
- If your family doesn’t like a lot of heat, I suggest starting with ½ Tablespoon of cayenne. You can always add more heat. Remember, you can’t take it out.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Leftovers: The shredded chicken should be stored in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: To freeze, place the shredded chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or stovetop in a pan over medium heat until warmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen chicken for this recipe. Make sure to cook it until it is done and shreds easily.
Yes, raw chicken can be cooked in a slow cooker as long as it is cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
This recipe can easily be made ahead of time. Just follow the recipe instructions and store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat the chicken when you are ready to serve.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Chipotle Flavor: Omit the cayenne pepper and paprika and add 1 tablespoon of chipotle powder.
- Sweet Heat Chicken Sandwiches: Increase the paprika to 2 tablespoons and add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- If you don't have a slow cooker, cook this chicken in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place chicken on a greased baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Then shred the chicken and follow the rest of the recipe instructions.
- For more flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in ½ cup of honey, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Boneless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.
Serving Suggestions
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
- Spicy French Fries
- For an elegant twist, serve the chicken on soft brioche buns, sesame buns, pretzel buns, or Hawaiian sweet rolls
- You can also serve the chicken over rice or stuffed into a potato.
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Crockpot Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast trimmed of fat
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter pieces cut in small pieces
- 8 hamburger buns
- sliced pickles optional garnish
- non-stick cooking spray
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Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker vessel with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika , and 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- Equally sprinkle the seasoning mix over 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast. Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of the seasoned vessel in the slow cook
- Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar over the seasoned chicken breasts. Drizzle 1 cup honey and 1 Tablespoon white vinegar over the seasoned chicken.
- Next, place ¼ cup unsalted butter pieces over the chicken. Place the lid on the slow cooker vessel.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Note 1
- Once cooked, use meat claws or forks to shred the chicken. Add the chicken back into the juices in the slow cooker.
- Serve on 8 hamburger buns with sliced pickles.
