Grilled Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich

Name: Grilled Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Sandwich
Ingredients: 4 chicken breast fillets, boneless & skinless; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 2 teaspoons black pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon MSG (optional); 1 tablespoon neutral oil; 4 potato rolls or buns; 2 tablespoons honey; Pimento cheese (recipe below); Quick Pickled Jalapenos; 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese; 1/4 teaspoon paprika; 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon white sugar; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 ounces jarred pimentos, drained

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What happens when you take tender grilled chicken, a sweet drizzle of honey, a spicy hit of pickled jalapeños, and top it all off with creamy pimento cheese? You get one seriously epic sandwich. This Grilled Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich is just like your favorite fast food chicken sandwich, made at home with even more flavor. It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, and sweet—all at the same time.

Side view of honey pimento pepper chicken sandwich on a piece of parchment paper.

Table of Contents

Each component of this copycat Chick-fil-A Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich creates an irresistible chicken sandwich that you won’t be able to put down. Grilling the chicken over an open flame brings out that perfect charred goodness, and the honey adds a sweet, sticky glaze to balance out the spicy jalapeños! And let’s not forget about that pimento cheese spread— rich, creamy, and sharp, it ties everything together perfectly.

Let’s be honest, this isn’t my first time making an absolutely epic sandwich. From my Griddled Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich to my Beef Suya Shredded Beef Sandwich, I know just what it takes to create a well-balanced and satisfying sandwich recipe.

Hand holding a honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich.

Why This Works

Tender with crisp edges: Grilling the chicken breasts starts to build flavor with a classic charred outside while maintaining a tender, moist center.
Complex flavors with simple preparation: The three main components in this pimento chicken sandwich combine to create a complex flavor profile, but each has simple preparation methods.
Skip the drive-thru: Now that you can make this Chick-fil-A honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich at home, there is not need to go through the drive through!

Key Ingredients

Ingredients needed for honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich on a wooden background.

Chicken — Boneless and skinless, seasoned with simple spices like paprika and garlic powder.
Seasonings — We are keeping things simple here with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
MSG — This is optional but will lend a deep umami flavor that resembles your fast food favorite.
Honey — Drizzle the honey right on the chicken to add just a touch of sweetness. Kick it up with homemade hot honey for more heat.
Pimento Cheese — You can make a homemade pimento spread like I did, or opt for a store-bought version for ease.
Quick Pickled Jalapeños — I recommend making my quick pickled jalapeño recipe here!
Buns — Use your favorite potato rolls or hamburger buns.

Substitutions or Variations

Cuts of Chicken: Use grilled chicken thighs if you prefer a more tender, juicier cut.
Different Buns: Potato buns are classic, but brioche or even ciabatta would add a nice twist.
Pickles: Not into jalapeños? Sweet and spicy pickles are a great alternative.
Seasoning: Smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne can dial up the smoky or spicy flavors, respectively.
Bacon: Add some bacon if you want to go full flavor overload.

How to Make This Recipe

Mix the pimento cheese spread. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Taste and adjust for flavor. Store covered in the fridge if not using right away.

Prep the chicken breast. Combine the seasonings together in a small bowl and generously season all sides of the chicken. Drizzle the oil on top of each fillet and pat gently to coat. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature while the grill is preheated.
Set up the grill. Using a 2-zone method, light the coals and bank them to one side of the grill. Aim for about 400-450°F for direct searing. Clean the grates before adding the chicken.

Grill the chicken directly over the coals, flipping after 3-4 minutes once char marks have developed. Repeat this again, flipping one more time to ensure each side has been directly grilled, and check the temperature. If the chicken needs more time to cook, move the meat to the cool side of the grill away from the hot coals to finish. Remove the chicken from the grill once it reaches an internal temperature of about 160°F.
Toast the buns and assemble the sandwich. Add pickled jalapenos and grilled chicken breast, drizzle with honey, and top with a dollop of pimento cheese spread.

Top Tips

Use a 2-zone method on the grill to get a perfect sear on the chicken without overcooking! Once you get a nice char in the direct heat and then use indirect heat to finish.
For even cooking, flatten the chicken breast so it has an even thickness through or slice it in half if it is extra thick.
Toast the buns! I recommend always toasting your buns on the grill for a crunchy texture that holds up to the fillings!
Use this chicken sandwich as meal prep by doubling the recipe. The sandwiches are very simple to assemble once the chicken has been warmed through. You can store the other components separately until ready to assemble and eat!

Side view of a grilled chicken sandwich with layers of pickled peppers and pimento cheese on a bun.

Pairings and Side Dishes

Homemade Hot Honey adds more spice and depth to this Chick-Fil-A copycat recipe, or opt for regular honey if you prefer.
Upgrade the recipe with Jalapeno Pimento Cheese for more heat!
Sweet and Spicy Pickles can be used in place of quick pickled jalapeños, for a touch of sweet flavor and less spice.
Use homemade Quick Pickled Jalapenos for this honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich recipe, or even Smoked Pickled Jalapenos for an added flavor boost!
Serve your pimento cheese chicken sandwich with Nashville Hot Pickle Potato Salad, Grilled Sweet Potato Fries, or a side of Creamy Smoked Mac & Cheese!

Honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich assembled and on white parchment paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook the chicken on the stove instead?

Definitely! Grilling adds significant flavor from the wood and smoke, but this recipe can easily be prepared in a skillet or using an air fryer.

Can I use store-bought pimento cheese?

Technically yes, but homemade is next-level in terms of flavor. If you’re in a rush, though, store-bought will do the trick.

How long will the homemade pimento cheese spread last?

The pimento cheese can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Just bring it to room temp before using for easier spreading.

More Sandwich Recipes to Try

Thank You For Trying Our Recipe!

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Side view of a honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich with layers of peppers, chicken and pimento cheese on a bun.

Grilled Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich

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Print Recipe

This Grilled Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich is just like your favorite fast food chicken sandwich, made at home with even more flavor. It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, and sweet—all at the same time.

Total Time: 30
Yield: 4 Sandwiches 1x

Ingredients

Scale

4 chicken breast fillets, boneless & skinless
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon MSG (optional)
1 tablespoon neutral oil
4 potato rolls or buns
2 tablespoons honey
Pimento cheese (recipe below)
Quick Pickled Jalapenos

Pimento Cheese Spread

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces jarred pimentos, drained

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Instructions

Mix the pimento cheese spread. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Taste and adjust for flavor. Store covered in the fridge if not using right away.
Prep the chicken breast. Combine the seasonings together in a small bowl and generously season all sides of the chicken. Drizzle the oil on top of each fillet and pat gently to coat. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature while the grill is preheated.
Set up the grill. Using a 2-zone method, light the coals and bank them to one side of the grill. Aim for about 400-450°F for direct searing. Clean the grates before adding the chicken.
Grill the chicken directly over the coals, flipping after 3-4 minutes once char marks have developed. Repeat this again, flipping one more time to ensure each side has been directly grilled, and check the temperature. If the chicken needs more time to cook, move the meat to the cool side of the grill away from the hot coals to finish. Remove the chicken from the grill once it reaches an internal temperature of about 160°F.
Toast the buns and assemble the sandwich. Add pickled jalapenos and grilled chicken breast, drizzle with honey, and top with a dollop of pimento cheese spread.