Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Printable Version)

Bold, spicy shredded chicken and melted cheese layered between crispy golden bread for a satisfying meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Frank's 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:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Toss shredded chicken with hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper if desired, salt, and black pepper until fully coated.
03 - Spread panko breadcrumbs on a baking sheet, drizzle with melted butter, toss to coat, then bake for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crisp. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Blend the crispy panko breadcrumb mixture into the spicy chicken evenly.
05 - Lay out eight slices of bread and butter one side of each slice evenly.
06 - On the unbuttered side of four bread slices, layer one slice of sharp cheddar, a generous portion of the spicy crispy chicken, one slice of pepper jack cheese, and another slice of sharp cheddar. Top each with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
07 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches 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, let rest for 1 to 2 minutes, slice in half, and serve warm.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy panko-coated chicken and melted, oozing cheese is genuinely addictive.
  • It comes together faster than you'd think, making it perfect for days when you want something special without fussing.
  • The heat builds gradually instead of hitting all at once, so even people who claim they don't like spicy food often find themselves reaching for another bite.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here; high heat burns the bread before the cheese melts, which is a mistake I've made more times than I care to admit.
  • Pressing gently on the sandwich while it cooks helps the cheese melt faster and the bread toast more evenly—firm pressure, not squashing force.
  • The difference between good melted cheese and broken, weeping cheese often comes down to those 1–2 minutes of rest time after cooking.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet or griddle if you have one—it distributes heat more evenly than a regular pan and gives the bread a more consistent golden color.
  • If your bread is very thick, you can toast it lightly before assembling the sandwich, which speeds up the final cooking and guarantees crispy exteriors.
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