The honey BBQ chicken strip sandwich is a popular menu item at various fast food restaurants. It typically consists of breaded chicken strips fried and coated in a sweet and tangy honey barbecue sauce, served on a bun or bread roll with various toppings and condiments. This sandwich provides a delicious blend of savory and sweet flavors in a handheld meal.
Chicken Strips
The star of the honey BBQ chicken strip sandwich is the crispy chicken strips. Chicken strips or chicken tenders are cuts of chicken breast that have been battered or breaded then deep fried or baked until golden brown and crispy. The chicken is usually cut into long, thin strips for ease of eating.
Popular batters include:
- Breadcrumbs or panko
- Flour
- Cornmeal
- Batter with buttermilk and eggs
Breading helps seal in the chicken’s juices while frying to ensure it remains moist and flavorful. The strips are fried in oil at high heat, resulting in an outer coating that is crunchy and crispy. This contrasts nicely with the tender, juicy chicken inside.
High Quality Chicken
Restaurants use high quality chicken breast meat for their chicken strips to ensure they are tasty and meaty. Cuts are usually taken from the tenderloins or other premium areas. Marinating the chicken prior to breading is also common, as it helps further lock in moisture and makes the meat even more flavorful. A brine or buttermilk soak helps achieve the signature juicy tenderness associated with great chicken strips.
Honey Barbecue Sauce
Honey barbecue sauce is the signature flavor paired with chicken strips. This sweet and slightly sticky sauce complements the crispy breaded chicken perfectly. The sauce is typically made from:
- Tomato paste or ketchup for tangy tomato flavor
- Honey or brown sugar for sweetness
- Apple cider vinegar for acidity
- Worcestershire or soy sauce for umami depth
- Spices like garlic, onion, paprika, mustard
The ingredients are combined and simmered into a thick, richly flavored sauce with the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Some variations may include smoky flavors from chipotle peppers or a heavier barbecue taste from molasses. But the classic honey profile is most common and pairs brilliantly with chicken.
Sauce Pairings
Other potential sauces that can accompany chicken strips on a sandwich include:
- Ranch
- Buffalo
- BBQ
- Honey mustard
- Spicy mayo
But the honey barbecue variety remains a customer favorite for chicken strip sandwiches.
Buns and Bread
The chicken strips and honey barbecue sauce are sandwiched between either a single bun sliced open, or two slices of bread such as a brioche or potato bun. The bread provides structure and an additional element of flavor and texture.
Bun Options
Popular bun choices include:
- Brioche – Light, eggy, and buttery
- Potato – Hearty and slightly sweet
- Pretzel – Chewy and salty
- Hawaiian – Fluffy and sweet
The bun should be able to contain the saucy chicken strips without getting soggy. A nicely toasted bun can provide crunch and flavor contrast. Brioche or potato buns are common choices as they tend to hold up well.
Toppings and Condiments
In addition to the main components of chicken, sauce, and bread, honey barbecue chicken strip sandwiches are often loaded with extra toppings and condiments to add more texture, flavor, and moisture.
Common Toppings
Popular toppings may include:
- Lettuce – Usually shredded or chopped for easier eating
- Tomato
- Onion – Raw, grilled, or fried
- Pickles
- Coleslaw
- Pepper jack cheese
- Bacon
Crisp lettuce or cabbage and juicy tomato or pickle slices help cut through the rich chicken and sauces. Sautéed onions or bacon provide indulgent savoriness and crunch. Oozy melted cheese pulls everything together.
Sauces and Spreads
In addition to the main honey barbecue sauce, sandwiches may be spread with:
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Spicy mayo
- Ranch
- Honey mustard
These sauces and condiments help enhance the flavor even further and prevent the bun from getting soggy from juices and sauce.
The Assembly Process
Constructing the perfect honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich requires the right process and order of operations for ideal flavors and textures in every bite.
- Toast the bun halves if using
- Spread desired condiments and sauces on each half
- Layer crispy chicken strips on the bottom bun
- Drizzle or pour honey barbecue sauce over chicken
- Add any additional toppings
- Close the sandwich with the top bun
- Insert toothpicks to hold sandwich together if needed
- Slice diagonally or serve whole
Toasting the bun provides crunch and enhances flavor. Sauces and spreads act as a moisture barrier between the bun and chicken. Toppings are carefully layered between sauce-coated chicken for maximum adherence. Assembly order optimizes the taste and mouthfeel with each satisfying bite.
Serving Suggestions
For best results, honey barbecue chicken strip sandwiches should be served fresh and hot immediately after assembly. However, there are ways to enhance the experience:
- Serve with crispy french fries or onion rings
- Pair with ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce for dipping
- Offer pickles, coleslaw, or potato salad as sides
- Skewer with a frilly toothpick for easy eating
- Wrap in foil to keep warm and allow flavors to mingle
Crunchy, salty sides contrast nicely with the sandwich. Extra sauces let customers customize further and mop up any delicious drips. Sharp pickles or creamy coleslaw balance each bite.
Nutritional Information
| Item | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken strips | 230 | 14g | 8g | 18g |
| Honey barbecue sauce | 70 | 0g | 18g | 0g |
| Brioche bun | 120 | 2g | 21g | 3g |
| Mayonnaise | 90 | 10g | 0g | 0g |
| Lettuce | 5 | 0g | 1g | 1g |
| Tomato | 10 | 0g | 2g | 1g |
| Total | 525 | 26g | 50g | 23g |
*Nutrition facts are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
The honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich delivers a satisfying dose of protein from the chicken along with carbohydrates from the bun and sugar in the sauce. The sweet and sticky honey barbecue sauce also provides sodium. Toppings like cheese or bacon can increase the fat and calorie count. Overall, a classic version with lighter toppings represents a moderately balanced fast food meal.
Cost Analysis
Here is a look at estimated costs to make a honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich:
- Chicken strips: $1.00
- Honey barbecue sauce: $0.30
- Bun: $0.50
- Mayonnaise: $0.10
- Lettuce: $0.15
- Tomato: $0.20
- Total cost: $2.25
- Menu price: $5.99
- Profit margin: 73%
With estimated food costs per sandwich around $2.25, and a typical menu price around $6, restaurants can expect over 70% profit margin on each honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich sold. Factors like labor, overhead, and ingredients prices in a given region will affect costs. But the sandwich remains a very profitable menu item with its low cost ingredients relative to the price customers will pay.
Customizations
While the classic honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich has signature ingredients, customers may customize their meal to suit personal preferences:
- Grilled or crispy chicken strips
- Spicy or mild sauce
- Extra or no sauce
- With or without certain toppings
- On a gluten-free bun
- Substitute fries for slaw or salad side
Accommodating custom orders and preferences is important for restaurants to provide the best guest experience while meeting dietary needs and tastes. Executing special requests swiftly maintains speed of service.
Comparison to Other Chicken Sandwiches
How does the honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich compare nutritionally and tastewise to other popular chicken sandwiches?
Crunchy, sweet, tangy, saucy
| Sandwich | Calories | Taste Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Fried chicken | 700-1000 | Crispy, juicy, salty, savory |
| Grilled chicken | 400-700 | Charred, savory, herby |
| Chicken strips | 525 |
The chicken strip version has fewer calories than a classic fried chicken sandwich, owing to the thinner cut of meat. And it provides a more dynamic flavor profile than a typical grilled chicken sandwich, with its crispy coating and sweet, sticky sauce. The honey barbecue sauce makes this sandwich stand out from other chicken options.
Popularity and Sales
The honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich has remained one of the most popular menu items at leading quick service restaurants for years. Its signature flavors have wide appeal and drive strong sales:
- McDonald’s – #1 top selling non-burger item
- Arby’s – #2 best selling sandwich behind Roast Beef Classic
- Dairy Queen – Top 5 best selling item
- Carl’s Jr – Top 3 best selling charbroiled chicken sandwich
The combination of crispy chicken strips, zesty honey barbecue sauce, melty cheese and toasted bun is irresistible to customers. Portability and moderate price also contribute to its sustained popularity on menus nationwide.
Innovations and Trends
As tastes evolve, companies are finding new ways to innovate the classic honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich:
- Plant-based chicken strips
- Organic or free-range chicken
- New sauces like sriracha honey mustard
- Savory waffle fries instead of brioche bun
- Warm pretzel bun
- Double chicken strips
- Zucchini fries as substitute for chicken strips
Trends like vegetarian options, ethically sourced meats, bolder flavors and low carb alternatives help keep the sandwich relevant. While the original remains a best seller, these innovative spins appeal to wider demographics.
Conclusion
With its perfect balance of crispy, juicy, sweet and tangy flavors between toasted bread, the honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich remains a standout menu item with timeless appeal. Carefully sourced ingredients, customized builds, and creative new twists keep customers coming back for this craveworthy sandwich. The honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich is positioned to remain a fast food favorite for years to come.