Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are tender, shredded chicken breasts cooked with a spicy cayenne and smoked paprika seasoning, balanced by sweet honey and brown sugar, then served on soft hamburger buns. Perfect for an easy, flavorful meal with a kick of heat and a touch of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (low) or 2 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 8 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Main Ingredients
- 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, cut into small pieces
For Serving
- 8 hamburger buns
- Sliced pickles (optional garnish)
Others
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker vessel generously with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking during cooking.
- Make Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic salt to create a spicy, savory seasoning blend.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the chicken breasts. Place the seasoned chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add Sweeteners and Vinegar: Sprinkle light brown sugar evenly over the chicken, then drizzle honey and white vinegar on top to add sweetness and a slight tang.
- Add Butter: Scatter the small pieces of unsalted butter over the chicken to add richness and keep the meat tender.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Use meat claws or forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, then stir it into the cooking juices to soak up all the flavors.
- Serve: Pile the hot honey shredded chicken onto hamburger buns, garnish with sliced pickles if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For milder heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper.
- Using meat claws makes shredding the chicken easier and less messy.
- The leftover sauce can be spooned over the sandwiches for extra flavor.
- These sandwiches pair well with coleslaw or a simple green salad.
- If you prefer, use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (including bun and portion of chicken)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken sandwiches, hot honey chicken, shredded chicken sandwich, spicy honey chicken, easy slow cooker recipe
