Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Protein: ~45g per sandwich
Some sandwiches just bring you right back to childhood, and for me the BLT is one of them. When I was younger, I used to spend a lot of time at my cousin’s house because he had a swimming pool. During the summer we would spend the entire day swimming, running around outside, and by the time we finally came inside we were starving.
His mother always had something simple ready for us, and one of the things she made often was BLT sandwiches. After swimming all day, biting into a sandwich stacked with crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and cool lettuce just hit differently. It was simple food, but it tasted incredible.
The classic BLT sandwich has been around for decades and became popular in the United States during the early 1900s when sliced bread and bacon became widely available. The name itself comes from the three main ingredients, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Over time it became one of the most recognizable sandwiches because of how well those flavors balance each other.
This honey garlic BLT chicken sandwich builds on that classic idea while adding even more flavor. Crispy bacon and fresh vegetables are layered with juicy chicken that’s coated in a sweet honey garlic sauce. The combination of salty bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, and sweet savory chicken creates a sandwich that feels both familiar and elevated.
One thing that also makes this sandwich special is the homemade mayonnaise. Making mayo from scratch might sound complicated, but it can actually be very simple. Traditional mayonnaise is made by emulsifying egg yolks with oil and acid, usually lemon juice or vinegar. In some countries there are variations that use mostly egg yolk and seasonings to create a rich sauce that feels lighter but still creamy.
For this sandwich, the homemade mayo becomes the base for a chili sauce made with chili crisp and sriracha, adding a little heat that balances the sweetness of the honey garlic chicken.
Every bite of this sandwich has something going on, sweet honey garlic chicken, salty bacon, fresh tomatoes, buttery Boston lettuce, and a little spice from the chili mayo. It’s the kind of sandwich that brings together comfort food nostalgia with bold modern flavors.
Why This Honey Garlic BLT Chicken Sandwich Works
This honey garlic BLT chicken sandwich recipe works because it layers flavors that naturally complement each other.
The honey garlic chicken adds sweetness and savory depth. Bacon provides saltiness and crisp texture. Fresh heirloom tomatoes bring acidity and brightness, while Boston lettuce adds a soft buttery texture.
The chili mayo adds just enough heat to cut through the sweetness of the honey sauce. When everything comes together between slices of bread, the result is a sandwich that feels balanced, rich, fresh, and satisfying.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic BLT Chicken Sandwich
For the best flavor, cook the garlic gently in avocado oil before adding the honey and lemon juice. This allows the garlic to release its aroma without burning.
When dredging the chicken in the honey garlic sauce, make sure the chicken is fully coated while reserving a small amount of sauce to drizzle over the sandwich at the end.
Use fresh heirloom tomatoes when possible. Their natural sweetness pairs perfectly with the honey garlic glaze.
Boston lettuce works especially well for sandwiches because it has a soft texture and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
What to Serve With This Sandwich
This sandwich pairs well with simple sides.
Crispy French fries or sweet potato fries work great with the honey garlic flavor.
For a lighter option, serve it with a cucumber salad or fresh green salad.
Roasted vegetables or potato wedges also make great sides for this sandwich.
Helpful Equipment
Frying pan
Mixing bowl
Knife and cutting board
Whisk or immersion blender for mayo
Ingredient Substitution Ideas
Cooking should always be flexible and this sandwich can easily be adjusted.
Chicken substitute – grilled chicken breast or air fryer chicken
Bread substitute – sourdough, ciabatta, or whole wheat sandwich bread
Bacon substitute – turkey bacon
Honey substitute – maple syrup
Boston lettuce substitute – romaine lettuce or butter lettuce
Weight-Loss and Lower-Carb Tips
To reduce carbs, you can serve the honey garlic chicken and toppings over lettuce as a salad instead of bread.
Using turkey bacon instead of pork bacon can also reduce calories.
Whole wheat or low carb sandwich bread can help lower the overall carbohydrate content while still keeping the sandwich satisfying.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
The honey garlic chicken can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat the chicken in a skillet or air fryer before assembling the sandwich.
Homemade mayonnaise can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Assemble the sandwich fresh for the best texture.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken
1 boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh
½ cup all purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
1½ cups crushed cornflakes
Avocado oil spray
Honey Garlic Sauce
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Homemade Chili Mayo
1 egg yolk
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon chili crisp
1 teaspoon sriracha
Sandwich Toppings
2 slices sandwich bread
2 slices bacon, cooked
2 slices heirloom tomato
Boston lettuce leaves
Fresh dill
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Bread the Chicken
Set up three bowls.
One bowl with flour, one bowl with beaten egg, and one bowl with crushed cornflakes.
Dredge the chicken in flour first.
Dip the chicken into the egg.
Press the chicken firmly into the crushed cornflakes until fully coated.
Lightly spray the chicken with avocado oil.
Air Fry the Chicken
Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 385°F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the coating becomes golden and crispy.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Heat avocado oil in a small pan over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Stir in honey and lemon juice.
Simmer for about 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Place the cooked chicken into the sauce and coat evenly.
Reserve a small amount of sauce to drizzle on the sandwich later.
Make the Homemade Chili Mayo
In a container whisk egg yolk with a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Then add the mayonnaise with chili crisp and sriracha and mix well.
Assemble the Honey Garlic BLT Chicken Sandwich
Layer the sandwich in this order:
Spread chili mayo onto the sliced bread.
Honey garlic glazed crispy chicken
Crispy bacon
Heirloom tomato
Boston lettuce
Drizzle reserved honey garlic sauce over the chicken.
Fresh dill and a pinch of salt
Top with the second slice of bread.
Slice and serve.
Ingredients
Method
- Set up three bowls.
- One bowl with flour, one bowl with beaten egg, and one bowl with crushed cornflakes.
- Dredge the chicken in flour first.
- Dip the chicken into the egg.
- Press the chicken firmly into the crushed cornflakes until fully coated.
- Lightly spray the chicken with avocado oil.
- Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 385°F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the coating becomes golden and crispy.
- Heat avocado oil in a small pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in honey and lemon juice.
- Simmer for about 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Place the cooked chicken into the sauce and coat evenly.
- Reserve a small amount of sauce to drizzle on the sandwich later.
- In a container whisk egg yolk with a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Then add the mayonnaise with chili crisp and sriracha and mix well.
- Spread chili mayo onto the sliced bread.
- Honey garlic glazed crispy chicken
- Crispy bacon
- Heirloom tomato
- Boston lettuce
- Drizzle reserved honey garlic sauce over the chicken.
- Fresh dill and a pinch of salt
- Top with the second slice of bread.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic BLT Chicken Sandwich: When dredging the chicken in the honey garlic sauce, make sure the chicken is fully coated while reserving a small amount of sauce to drizzle over the sandwich at the end.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic BLT Chicken Sandwich: Use fresh heirloom tomatoes when possible. Their natural sweetness pairs perfectly with the honey garlic glaze.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic BLT Chicken Sandwich: Boston lettuce works especially well for sandwiches because it has a soft texture and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Cooking should always be flexible and this sandwich can easily be adjusted.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Chicken substitute – grilled chicken breast or air fryer chicken
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Bread substitute – sourdough, ciabatta, or whole wheat sandwich bread
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Bacon substitute – turkey bacon
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Honey substitute – maple syrup
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Boston lettuce substitute – romaine lettuce or butter lettuce
Weight-Loss and Lower-Carb Tips: To reduce carbs, you can serve the honey garlic chicken and toppings over lettuce as a salad instead of bread.
Weight-Loss and Lower-Carb Tips: Using turkey bacon instead of pork bacon can also reduce calories.
Weight-Loss and Lower-Carb Tips: Whole wheat or low carb sandwich bread can help lower the overall carbohydrate content while still keeping the sandwich satisfying.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: The honey garlic chicken can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: Reheat the chicken in a skillet or air fryer before assembling the sandwich.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: Homemade mayonnaise can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: Assemble the sandwich fresh for the best texture.
FAQ
What is the origin of a BLT sandwich?
The BLT sandwich became popular in the early 1900s in the United States when bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches started appearing in cookbooks and restaurants.
Can I make honey garlic chicken ahead of time?
Yes. The chicken can be cooked ahead and reheated before assembling the sandwich.
What lettuce works best for BLT sandwiches?
Boston lettuce works very well because it is soft, tender, and slightly sweet with a buttery texture.
Can I make this sandwich spicy?
Yes. Adding chili crisp or sriracha to the mayo gives the sandwich a spicy kick.
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