Sweet & Spicy Honey Chipotle Chicken Garlic Buns Recipe

Warm kitchen aromas of honey chipotle chicken garlic buns promise a delightful culinary adventure.

Sweet and smoky flavors dance across your plate with irresistible charm.

Tender chicken nestled in soft, pillowy buns brings comfort and excitement to dinner.

Chipotle’s subtle heat mingles perfectly with golden honey’s smooth sweetness.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its simple ingredients and bold taste.

Weeknight meals transform from ordinary to extraordinary with these mouthwatering buns.

Each bite promises a journey through layers of complex, harmonious flavors that you’ll absolutely love.

Honey Chipotle Chicken Buns That Are Sweet, Spicy, And Savory

• Speedy Weeknight Savior: Whip up these mouthwatering honey chipotle chicken buns in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Quick and Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients or adjusting spice levels, making it a versatile dinner option that caters to different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Flavor Explosion in Every Bite: Combine smoky chipotle, sweet honey, creamy ranch, and melted mozzarella for a taste sensation that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Starter: These gourmet-style buns are ideal for casual gatherings, game nights, or weekend get-togethers, impressing guests with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Honey Chipotle Chicken Garlic Buns What You’ll Need

• Chicken Strips: Tender meat providing the main protein base, opt for fresh, boneless chicken breast or thighs with minimal fat.

• Smoked Paprika, Garlic Granules, Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers creating a rich, smoky seasoning profile for the chicken.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Mild, melty cheese adding creamy texture and subtle dairy richness to the buns.
• Ranch Dressing: Tangy, creamy sauce providing a cool complement to the spicy chipotle flavors.
• Butter: Rich, smooth base for garlic coating, adds golden color and depth to the bun tops.

• Honey: Sweet element balancing the spicy chipotle notes, helps caramelize the chicken.
• Chipotle Paste: Smoky, spicy condiment bringing intense heat and complex flavor to the dish.

• Brioche Buns: Soft, rich bread providing a luxurious base for the chicken filling.
• Garlic: Fresh, pungent ingredient creating aromatic butter coating.
• Parsley: Fresh herb adding bright green color and mild herbal freshness as a final garnish.

Sticky Buns Recipe: Honey Chipotle Chicken & Garlic

Step 1: Sizzle and Shred the Chicken

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

• Smoked paprika
• Garlic granules
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook the chicken until it’s fully done and no longer pink in the center.

Use two forks or a hand whisk to shred the chicken into tender, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Create the Zesty Sauce

In a small bowl, blend ranch dressing with chipotle paste until smooth and creamy.

Set the sauce aside for later.

Step 3: Drench Chicken in Sweet and Spicy Goodness

Toss the shredded chicken with honey and chipotle paste.

Mix thoroughly to ensure every strand is coated with delicious flavor.

Step 4: Build Mouthwatering Bun Towers

Grab your brioche buns and toast the bottom halves until golden.

• Mozzarella cheese slice
• Spiced chicken mixture
• Chipotle ranch sauce drizzle

Step 5: Melt and Crisp in the Oven

Slide the assembled buns into a preheated oven at 350°F.

Bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese transforms into a gooey blanket and the buns turn perfectly crisp.

Step 6: Garlic Butter Magic Finish

Melt butter in the microwave and stir in freshly chopped garlic.

Zap for 15 seconds.

Generously brush the garlic butter over the hot buns and sprinkle with chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavor.

Garlic Bun Baking Tips with a Honey Chipotle Kick

• Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender, juicy meat that shreds easily and absorbs flavors perfectly.
• Adjust chipotle paste quantity to match your heat tolerance, starting with less and adding gradually for personalized flavor intensity.
• Remove buns from oven when cheese is just melted to prevent overcooking and maintain a gooey, smooth texture.
• Use fresh brioche buns for richness and softness, ensuring they toast evenly without becoming too dry or hard.
• Briefly microwave garlic butter to release aromatic oils, creating a more pronounced and delicious garlic flavor across the buns.

Save Honey Chipotle Chicken Garlic Buns

• Store leftover honey chipotle chicken buns in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm buns at 160°C (325°F) for 8-10 minutes to maintain crispy texture and prevent soggy bread.
• Heat individual buns for 30-45 seconds, covering with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and prevent dryness.
• Sprinkle additional fresh parsley or drizzle extra chipotle ranch sauce after reheating to restore vibrant flavors.

Sides for Honey Chipotle Chicken Garlic Buns

• Pair Crisp Mexican Lager: Light Mexican beer like Modelo Especial cuts through the spicy-sweet chicken, refreshing the palate with its clean, crisp finish.
• Zesty Citrus Slaw Side: Prepare a tangy coleslaw with lime juice and cilantro to balance the rich, smoky chipotle flavors and add fresh crunch.
• Cool Blue Cheese Dip: Serve a creamy blue cheese dressing on the side, providing a sharp, cooling contrast to the honey chipotle's heat and sweetness.
• Roast Sweet Corn Salad: Create a grilled corn salad with jalapeños and fresh herbs, complementing the chicken's southwestern profile and adding vibrant textures.

Honey Chipotle Buns Bold Variations

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wraps: Replace brioche buns with large lettuce leaves for a carb-free alternative, keeping the same honey chipotle chicken filling and ranch sauce.
• Vegetarian Jackfruit Version: Swap chicken with shredded young jackfruit seasoned similarly, maintaining the smoky chipotle and honey flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free buns or portobello mushroom caps as a base, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast, and use vegan ranch dressing to accommodate dairy restrictions.

FAQs

• What spices give the chicken its unique flavor?

Smoked paprika and garlic granules create a deep, smoky taste that elevates the chicken’s overall flavor profile.

• Why use brioche buns for this recipe?

Brioche buns offer a rich, buttery texture that complements the spicy and sweet chicken mixture, making each bite more luxurious and satisfying.

• How does the chipotle ranch sauce enhance the dish?

The chipotle ranch sauce adds a creamy, spicy kick that balances the sweetness of the honey and provides a complex, tangy flavor to the chicken buns.

• Can I prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the shredded chicken with honey and chipotle paste in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making meal prep easier.

Honey Chipotle Chicken Garlic Buns Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Honey chipotle chicken garlic buns deliver a spicy-sweet symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Mexican-inspired comfort meets gourmet creativity, promising a mouthwatering experience you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 400 grams (14.11 ounces) chicken breast (cut into fillet strips)
• 1.25 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic granules
• 25 grams (0.88 ounces) runny honey
• 1.5 teaspoons chipotle paste

Seasoning:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Buns and Toppings:

• 4 brioche buns
• 4 mozzarella cheese slices
• 10 grams (0.35 ounces) light butter
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped

Sauce:

• 20 grams (0.71 ounces) ranch dressing
• 0.5 teaspoons chipotle paste

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Instructions

1. Infuse the chicken strips with a robust blend of smoked paprika, garlic granules, salt, and pepper to create a flavor-packed base.
2. Heat a skillet and cook the seasoned chicken until perfectly golden and thoroughly cooked, then use a hand whisk or two forks to transform the meat into delicate, tender shreds.
3. Craft a zesty sauce by whisking together creamy ranch dressing and smoky chipotle paste, setting it aside for later use.
4. Drizzle honey and additional chipotle paste over the shredded chicken, ensuring each strand is generously coated with a sweet and spicy glaze.
5. Prepare the brioche buns by lightly toasting their bottom halves to create a crisp foundation for the upcoming layers.
6. Layer each bun with a slice of melty mozzarella cheese, creating a rich, creamy base for the seasoned chicken.
7. Carefully distribute the honey-chipotle chicken mixture atop the cheese, ensuring an even and generous covering.
8. Cascade the prepared chipotle ranch sauce over the chicken, adding an extra dimension of tangy flavor.
9. Transfer the assembled buns to a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F), allowing them to bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese becomes gloriously molten and the buns achieve a perfect golden crispness.
10. Meanwhile, create a fragrant garlic butter by melting butter and blending it with finely chopped garlic, microwaving briefly to intensify the flavors.
11. Finish the buns by generously brushing the aromatic garlic butter across the tops and sprinkling with fresh, chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous touch.

Notes

• Adjust heat levels by reducing or increasing chipotle paste for personalized spice tolerance.
• Shred chicken while it’s warm for easier and more consistent texture, preventing dry meat.
• Use rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative for quick preparation.
• Consider gluten-free options by substituting brioche buns with gluten-free alternatives or lettuce wraps for a low-carb version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg