Spicy Crispy Chicken 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 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

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F.

02 - Combine shredded chicken with hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper if desired, salt, and black pepper until well coated.

03 - Spread panko breadcrumbs on a baking sheet, drizzle with melted butter, and toss to coat evenly. 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 uniformly mixed.

05 - Arrange eight bread slices and spread softened butter on one side of each slice.

06 - On the unbuttered side of four bread slices, layer one slice of cheddar cheese, a generous portion of the spicy crispy chicken mixture, one slice of pepper jack, and one more slice of cheddar. Complete each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.

07 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until bread is golden and cheese has melted.

08 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for 1 to 2 minutes, then slice in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

The panko-crusted chicken adds an unexpected crunch that makes every bite feel textured and exciting.
It comes together in about 30 minutes, so you can impress people without spending your whole afternoon in the kitchen.
The heat builds slowly and lets you control the spice level based on who's eating and how brave they're feeling.

02 -

Don't skip toasting the panko—bread crumbs straight from the bag will get soggy, but toasted panko stays crispy even as it sits in the warm sandwich.
The butter on the outside of the bread needs to be soft enough to spread easily, or you'll tear the bread trying to coat it evenly. Let it sit at room temperature for ten minutes.
Cook on medium heat, not high—high heat browns the bread before the cheese melts, leaving you with crispy outside and cold cheese inside, which defeats the whole purpose.

03 -