Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Printable)

Crispy bread envelops spicy shredded chicken with cheddar and pepper jack for a bold, flavorful meal.

# What You'll 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, for extra heat)
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 - Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - Combine shredded chicken with hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly mixed.
03 - Spread panko breadcrumbs on a baking sheet, drizzle with melted butter, toss to coat evenly, then bake for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once until golden and crisp. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Fold the toasted panko into the spicy chicken mixture until well distributed.
05 - Lay out all bread slices and butter one side of each evenly with softened butter.
06 - On the unbuttered side of four bread slices, layer one slice of cheddar, a generous amount of the spicy crispy chicken mixture, one slice of pepper jack, and another slice of cheddar. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.
07 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook assembled sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
08 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for 1 to 2 minutes, slice in half, and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The panko coating adds an unexpected crunch that keeps the sandwich from feeling like a one-note cheese pull.
  • Hot sauce in the chicken means you get heat throughout every bite, not just a kick at the end.
  • It comes together faster than delivery would arrive, but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Room-temperature butter spreads without tearing the bread; cold butter straight from the fridge will rip right through.
  • Toasting the panko separately changes everything—it stays crispy and doesn't absorb moisture from the hot sauce, keeping the sandwich from turning into a soggy mess.
03 -
  • Cook on medium heat, not high; the bread can brown faster than the cheese melts, leaving you with cold insides and burnt outsides.
  • Use a kitchen thermometer or just touch the cheese from the side to confirm it's hot and melted before you pull the sandwich off the griddle—there's nothing worse than biting into one that's cool in the middle.
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