These Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are sensational: tender shredded chicken tossed in a hot honey sauce, piled on toasted buns with crisp coleslaw, pickles and an extra drizzle of hot honey.
If you enjoy sweet-and-spicy combinations, these slow cooker hot honey chicken sandwiches will hit the spot. The recipe is simple, forgiving and perfect for busy nights.
I first discovered hot honey at Trader Joe’s and it quickly became a pantry staple. After seeing hot honey chicken sandwiches online, I adapted a slow cooker version and have been making them ever since.
I’ll admit the photos aren’t professional—sometimes I make these and forget to shoot them. But the flavor is what matters: the sandwiches are outstanding and worth making even if your pictures aren’t perfect.
This is a true dump-and-go slow cooker recipe with about five minutes of prep. Chicken breasts cook low and slow in a sweet-spicy sauce made from honey, hot honey, brown sugar, butter, vinegar and a few spices. The result is perfectly shreddable chicken with a balanced sweet, tangy and spicy profile.
Here is what you’ll need:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts — breasts work well; boneless skinless thighs are an easy substitution.
- Salt & pepper — to season the chicken.
- Red pepper flakes — for heat; adjust to taste.
- Smoked paprika — adds a subtle smoky note.
- Garlic powder — for savory depth.
- Brown sugar — adds additional sweetness and caramel tones.
- Honey & hot honey — the honey gives sweetness; hot honey gives heat and flavor complexity.
- Vinegar — white or apple cider vinegar adds bright tang.
- Butter — cut into chunks to melt into the sauce.
- Buns — any kind you prefer: brioche, pretzel, ciabatta or classic hamburger buns.
- Pickles — optional but recommended; dill pickles add a great contrast.
- Coleslaw — optional but highly recommended for crunch and creaminess.
These sandwiches make excellent weeknight comfort food. They’re easy to scale and the heat can be tailored by varying the hot honey and red pepper flakes. Below are clear ingredient and instruction sections so you can make them with confidence.
Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
- Author: Jodi
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hot honey
- 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
- Buns, plus butter and garlic salt for toasting
- Pickles, for serving
- Extra hot honey for drizzling
Coleslaw (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 (16 oz) package coleslaw mix
Instructions
Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together red pepper flakes, garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, honey, hot honey and vinegar until smooth.
- Pour half of the honey mixture over the chicken and place the butter chunks on top. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken shreds easily.
- Remove the chicken and shred it, reserving the sauce and juices. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir in the remaining honey mixture.
- Butter the buns on both sides, sprinkle with a little garlic salt and brown them in a skillet or under the broiler until golden.
- Assemble sandwiches: pile shredded chicken on the bottom bun, top with coleslaw, add pickles and finish with an extra drizzle of hot honey if desired.
Coleslaw:
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sugar and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
- Toss the dressing with the coleslaw mix in a large bowl until evenly coated. Chill 10–15 minutes before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours