My Smoke Fried Hot Chicken Sandwiches, are tender, juicy, slow-smoked chicken thighs, battered and fried to a crispy, golden-brown perfection, drizzled with a sassy Sweet Heat Glaze.

Smoke Fried Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Smoke Fried Hot Chicken Sandwiches. I mean, the name alone has my mouth watering. We’re talking juicy, brined, slow-smoked chicken thighs, fried in a crispy batter to golden perfection. Put it on a bun, pile it up with your favorite toppings, then drizzle on some Sweet Heat BBQ Glaze for a sticky-smooth finish. You can kiss those trips to the chicken chain restaurants goodbye. Once you learn how easy it is to make hot chicken sandwiches at home, you’ll be making them all the time.

If you’ve got my Wing Night Kit, then you’re already most the way to enjoying this tender chicken sandwich. I created this recipe as a way to use the ingredients of the kit. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can still make these incredible sandwiches at home with a little help. Let’s get started.

The Best Chicken for Hot Chicken Sandwiches

For these sandwiches, I opted for using chicken thighs. They’re typically more flavorful and juicier than breasts, which means they can stand up to the smoking and frying process without drying out. Plus, their slightly higher fat content helps carry all those delicious flavors you’re adding. That said, if you’re looking for a leaner option, chicken breasts will work too. Your sandwiches will still be bursting with BBQ flavor.

When you’re picking out your chicken thighs, look for pieces that are roughly the same size. This’ll help ensure even cooking. And if you can, opt for boneless, skinless thighs so you don’t have to worry about trimming.

Buttermilk Brine for Chicken

To help keep your chicken thighs tender and juicy through the smoking process, and add some flavor deep in every bite, I recommend a brine. This step is totally optional, but it only takes a couple minutes of prep time and you’ll be happy you did it. Just add your buttermilk and a couple Tablespoons of my Sweet Rub to a gallon zip top bag, then place your thighs inside. After you seal the bag, pop it in the fridge and let the brine do its thing.

You want to give your chicken at least 4 hours to soak in the brine in your refrigerator. If you have the time, I recommend letting it go overnight. The longer you allow your chicken to brine, the more rich and tender your finished result will be.

How Long to Smoke Chicken Thighs

I smoked these chicken thighs in my Camp Chef Woodwind Pro, but any smoker or pellet grill you have will turn out amazing chicken for your sandwiches. Low and slow is the key to getting the juiciest thighs, so set your smoker for 225 degrees F. At this temperature, you can plan on 45 minutes to an hour in most smokers.

Because you’ll be frying your chicken thighs after smoking them, this recipe is a little different than your typical smoked thighs. You’ll normally want to cook thighs to 175 degrees. This ensures your chicken is safe to eat and super tender. Since your chicken will finish cooking while in the frying oil, you want to pull it when you get an internal temperature reading of around 155 degrees F with a reliable instant-read thermometer.

Frying Chicken for Sandwiches

The fried batter on these chicken sandwiches is light, crispy, and makes the bite as enjoyable as the flavor. If you picked up a Wing Night Kit for this, then you have what you need. Just add some of the batter to a shallow bowl, then you’re ready to coat your smoked thighs. If you don’t have a kit handy, don’t stress out. You can use any batter you like, or you can make your own with these pantry staples you likely have already:

Simply place the ingredients together in your bowl with around 1 cup cool water, then whisk to combine. After that, you’re good to coat your chicken thighs and get them in the fryer. I highly recommend a good pair of tongs with long handles when frying. You’ll want to turn your thighs so they get that gorgeous, golden-brown coating all around. Once your thighs look picture-perfect and reach an internal temperature of 175 degrees F, you’re ready to assemble some sandwiches.

Sandwich Toppings and Variations

There’s no wrong way to top your chicken sandwiches, but for this recipe, I wanted the ingredients from the Wing Kit to do the talking. Here’s a list of the easy toppings I used this time, if you want to keep it simple:

You can really pile any sandwich topping you like on these smoky boys. If you’re feeling bold, use some of my Quick Pickled Jalapeños in place of the pickles. You can’t go wrong with a slice of tomato or some Homemade Coleslaw, either. I didn’t add any this time, but a lot of people insist both are must-haves. If you want to get really fancy, then you can even toast your buns. Feel free to get adventurous.

How to Make Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Alright, let’s put it all together and cover step-by-step how to build the most delicious chicken sandwich you’ll ever sink your teeth into:

More Incredible Sandwich Recipes

Now, when you’re ready to find another smoky, tender meat to enjoy sandwich style, I’ve got you covered. From savory steak sliced thin to smoky ham, you’re sure to find your family’s next favorite. I’ve even got a grilled, cowboy-style cousin to this chicken sandwich (topped with onion rings, yeah). You can find all the sandwich inspiration you can handle in your recipe library, or in the Hey Grill Hey app. For now, here are some of my family’s most requested sandwiches:

Beef

Steak Sandwich with Jalapeño Mayo

Chicken

Cowboy Style Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Beef

Smoked French Dip Sandwich

Pork

Smoky Cuban Sandwich

Smoked Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Enjoy the glory of making the best hot chicken sandwich in town, and of course, enjoy some for yourself. When you’re done, feel free to give this recipe a 5-star rating if you got your chicken fix. I want to hear about your topping combinations, so tell me what you piled on yours in the comments. Make sure you tag @heygrillhey on Instagram and Facebook with your towering, hot chicken masterpieces.

If you’re still hungry for more chicken, then Hey Grill Hey is your one-stop shop. I’ve got awesome, step-by-step videos for all my top recipes on my YouTube channel. My YouTube Shorts are perfect when you just need some bite-sized tips and fun.

If you want the help, but hate the ads, check out The Grill Squad. I’ve got in-depth, ad-free, store-storage guides for smoked chicken, and other pitmaster classics. I’ve got something for you, no matter which way you enjoy finding new methods best. I’m here to help you become a backyard BBQ hero so you can feed the people you love.