The Wendy’s Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is a tasty new menu item that was added in October 2022. It features a crispy all white meat chicken fillet coated in a sweet and spicy honey sauce, topped with pepper jack cheese and applewood smoked bacon on a premium bun.
The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich brings some heat and sweetness to Wendy’s chicken sandwich lineup. It joins other popular chicken sandwiches on the menu like the Classic Chicken Sandwich, Asiago Ranch Chicken Club, and Pretzel Bacon Pub Chicken Sandwich.
With its unique honey sauce and blend of flavors, the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich aims to satisfy those craving a spicy and sweet chicken sandwich option. Read on to learn all about what comes on this mouthwatering menu item.
Bun
The foundation of the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is a premium, toasted bun. It provides a solid base to hold the juicy chicken fillet and savory toppings.
The bun is round in shape, slightly sweet, and has a soft, airy texture. It measures approximately 5 inches wide, with a golden brown, toasted exterior.
Wendy’s specially sourced this premium bun to perfectly complement the sweet and spicy flavors of the chicken, honey sauce, cheese, and bacon. The bun gently soaks up some of the honey sauce for added flavor in every bite.
Chicken
The star of the show in the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is the all white meat chicken breast fillet. It provides a hearty, juicy, and tender protein.
The chicken fillet is lightly breaded with a crispy, seasoned coating. It is gently fried until golden brown and cooked through. The result is a flavorful, crunchy exterior that gives way to a hot, juicy interior.
The chicken measures approximately 4 ounces prior to cooking. It is made with quality Wendy’s chicken that is specially marinated to lock in moisture and flavor.
Honey Sauce
What really sets the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich apart is the sweet and spicy honey sauce drizzled over the fillet.
The honey sauce is a proprietary blend created by Wendy’s chefs. It features a base of smooth honey complemented by dashes of savory spices and a hit of chili pepper heat.
Ingredients in the honey sauce likely include:
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
The honey sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. It also adds moisture and soaks into the chicken to provide flavor in every bite.
Pepper Jack Cheese
Melted pepper jack cheese provides another layer of flavor and texture on the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich.
The pepper jack is a Monterey Jack cheese blend seasoned with bits of spicy chili peppers. This adds a boost of creamy, melted cheese with a kick of heat.
A generous slice of the pepper jack cheese is placed on top of the crispy chicken before serving. As it melts, it coats the chicken in gooey cheese with a little spice.
Applewood Smoked Bacon
No chicken sandwich is complete without bacon! The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich comes topped with two strips of applewood smoked bacon.
The bacon provides delicious notes of smoky, salty, cured pork flavor. It also adds crunch and texture contrasts against the soft bun and juicy chicken.
The applewood smoked bacon is sourced from pork cured using natural maple wood smoke. It is cooked until crispy and lightly caramelized.
Preparation Method
Now that you know all of the ingredients, let’s look at how the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich comes together.
The cooking process starts with preparing the all white meat chicken breast fillet. Each fillet is marinated in a proprietary blend of herbs and spices to impart flavor and moisture.
The chicken is then lightly breaded in a seasoned coating and fried in a special fryer until golden brown and cooked through. The pepper jack cheese is added on top of the fillet towards the end to melt.
As the chicken cooks, the applewood smoked bacon is fried on a flat top grill until nice and crispy.
The premium toasted bun gets layered from bottom to top with:
- Bottom bun
- Hot crispy chicken fillet
- Drizzle of honey sauce
- Melted pepper jack cheese
- Two strips of applewood smoked bacon
- Top bun
The honey sauce soaks into the bun for great flavor in every bite. The sandwich is then served hot and fresh for your enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich packs a lot of bold flavors, but how does it measure up nutritionally?
Here is the nutrition information for a Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich from Wendy’s:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 680 |
| Total Fat | 32g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g |
| Cholesterol | 145mg |
| Sodium | 1830mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 57g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Total Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 37g |
As you can see, the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is quite high in calories, fat, and sodium compared to other menu options. This is typical for fried chicken sandwiches layered with cheese and bacon.
However, it does provide a solid amount of protein (37g). The honey sauce also adds a hint of sweetness from 12g total sugars.
Overall, the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is best enjoyed occasionally as a treat. Pairing it with healthier side options can help balance out a meal.
Price
The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is priced as a premium sandwich at Wendy’s.
The à la carte sandwich has an MSRP of $5.79 in most locations. However, prices can vary a little by region.
As part of a combo meal with fries and a drink, the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich combo costs around $8-9 on average.
There are frequently Wendy’s deals and coupons available in the app to help you save on this sandwich or meal combo.
How Customers Review It
The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich has been receiving positive reviews since it joined menus in October 2022.
Most customers seem to agree that it provides a good balance of flavors between the crispy chicken, sweet and spicy honey sauce, melted cheese, and smoky bacon.
Here are some common pros that customers mention in their reviews:
- The chicken is juicy and crispy
- Honey sauce has nice sweet and spicy flavor
- Pepper jack cheese and bacon add good texture
- Bun is soft and holds sandwich together well
- Overall great blend of flavors and textures
Some constructive feedback includes that the sandwich can be a little messy to eat since the honey sauce tends to drip. There are also some mixed opinions on the spiciness level of the sauce.
But overall, most Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich reviews rate it 4 out of 5 stars or higher for its delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Alternatives to Try
If you’re looking for some alternatives to the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, Wendy’s has several other chicken sandwich options on the menu.
Other spicy chicken sandwiches to consider include:
- Spicy Chicken Sandwich – Spicy fried chicken fillet with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a bun.
- Spicy Pretzel Bacon Pub Chicken Sandwich – Fried chicken with pepper jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, spicy sauce, and pickles on a pretzel bun.
Some non-spicy chicken sandwiches at Wendy’s are:
- Homestyle Chicken Sandwich – Crispy chicken fillet with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and pickles on a toasted bun.
- Asiago Ranch Chicken Club – Chicken topped with bacon, Asiago cheese, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing.
You can also build your own chicken sandwich and customize it to your liking. Overall, you have lots of chicken sandwich options to choose from!
Conclusion
The Wendy’s Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is earning its place among the fast food chain’s popular chicken sandwich offerings. It features a crispy all white meat chicken fillet drizzled in sweet and spicy honey sauce, melted pepper jack cheese, and applewood smoked bacon, served on a premium toasted bun.
This sandwich provides a delicious medley of flavors and textures in each bite. The honey sauce adds both sweetness and heat that sets it apart from a regular fried chicken sandwich. Meanwhile, the cheese and bacon complement the chicken nicely.
Customer reviews have been positive overall for its juicy and crispy chicken paired with the unique honey sauce. While it is high in calories and sodium, it can be enjoyed in moderation as an indulgent treat.
So next time you’re craving a spicy and sweet chicken sandwich, give Wendy’s new Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich a try.