Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with these mind-blowing Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches! Imagine tender, fall-apart chicken infused with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, all nestled between soft sandwich rolls. This recipe is about to become your new obsession – a crowd-pleasing dish that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor in every single bite.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup hot honey
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 4 sandwich rolls
- Coleslaw for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Gather 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 cup of hot honey, 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon of onion powder.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the hot honey, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is well coated. Use a spoon or spatula to help distribute the sauce evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the chicken to become tender and absorb all the flavors from the sauce.
- About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, check the chicken for doneness. It should be tender and easily pull apart with a fork. If necessary, you can shred the chicken in the slow cooker using two forks for easier serving.
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the lid and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.
- While the chicken is resting, prepare your sandwich rolls by slicing them in half. You may toast them lightly if desired for added texture.
- To assemble the sandwiches, take a generous portion of the hot honey chicken and place it on the bottom half of each sandwich roll.
- If desired, top the chicken with coleslaw for added crunch and flavor. This step is optional but highly recommended for a delicious contrast.
- Finally, place the top half of the sandwich roll over the filled bottom half, press down gently, and serve immediately while warm.
Tips
- Choose the Right Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for this recipe as they stay incredibly moist and tender during slow cooking.
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Whisk your sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure an even, rich flavor distribution across the chicken.
- Don't Rush the Cooking: The 6-hour slow cook is crucial for developing deep, complex flavors and achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Shredding Technique: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker to help it absorb more of the delicious sauce.
- Toasting Tip: Lightly toast your sandwich rolls for an extra layer of texture and to prevent sogginess.
- Coleslaw Hack: If using coleslaw, add it just before serving to maintain its crisp texture.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This recipe is perfect for meal prep – it reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 160mg
