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.

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

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.

Notes

Homemade hot honey upgrades this recipe to another level of heat!

Author: Brad Prose
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Category: Burgers & Sandwiches
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Sandwich

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 578
Sugar: 14.7 g
Sodium: 1300.2 mg
Fat: 37.4 g
Carbohydrates: 39.8 g
Protein: 16.4 g
Cholesterol: 88.3 mg