Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Printable)

A bold blend of spicy shredded chicken and melted cheese in a crispy golden sandwich.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot or Sriracha)
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Crispy Coating

09 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Sandwich Components

11 - 8 slices thick-cut bread (e.g., sourdough or country white)
12 - 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
13 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese
14 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - In a bowl, combine shredded chicken with hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread panko breadcrumbs on a baking sheet, drizzle with melted butter, and toss to coat. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes stirring once, until golden and crisp. Let cool slightly.
04 - Fold the crispy panko mixture into the spicy chicken until well combined.
05 - Arrange eight bread slices and butter one side of each slice evenly.
06 - On the unbuttered side of four bread slices, layer one slice cheddar cheese, a generous portion of spicy crispy chicken, one slice pepper jack cheese, and another slice cheddar cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
07 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese has melted.
08 - Remove sandwiches from heat and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Slice in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's crispy, melty, and spicy all at once—the holy trinity of sandwich satisfaction that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • The panko crust adds texture that feels indulgent without making you spend hours in the kitchen, and somehow tastes like you actually worked for it.
  • You can scale the heat to your mood, which means it works whether you're cooking for adventurous friends or cautious relatives.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the panko in butter—raw breadcrumbs will taste bitter and won't have that satisfying crunch that makes people think you know what you're doing.
  • Cook on medium heat, not high, or your bread will burn before the cheese inside has a chance to actually melt, leaving you with a sad, cold center and blackened edges.
  • Pressing the sandwich gently while it cooks matters more than people think; it helps the bread make contact with the hot surface and gives you better browning and cheese distribution.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, you can assemble all four sandwiches ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for up to an hour before cooking, which means you can focus on actually hanging out with people instead of standing over the stove.
  • A well-seasoned cast iron skillet or griddle makes this sandwich cook more evenly than a non-stick pan, and it gives you better browning because cast iron holds heat more steadily.
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