📖 Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the honey mustard sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until everything is smoothly combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. I like mine a little sweeter, so I usually add an extra drizzle of honey. Set the honey mustard sauce aside for later. Don't be tempted to skip this step – it brings the whole sammy together!
2. Next, let's tackle the chicken. In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (for a bit of a kick!), salt, and black pepper. Give it a good mix, making sure the spices are evenly distributed. This is where the magic happens – that crispy, flavorful crust is all thanks to this blend. A little trick? Add a pinch of smoked paprika for an extra layer of flavor.
3. Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized cutlets. This ensures that they cook evenly and fit nicely on your bagel. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, making sure they’re fully coated. Shake off any excess flour. You want a nice, even coating, not a thick, clumpy one.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure you have enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan generously. Once the oil is hot (but not smoking!), carefully place the breaded chicken cutlets in the skillet. Fry for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
5. Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. This helps keep the chicken crispy. Trust me, soggy fried chicken is a no-go.
6. While the chicken is cooling slightly, toast the bagels to your liking. I prefer mine lightly toasted, but some people like them extra crispy. It’s all about personal preference! Butter the toasted bagels lightly. This adds a touch of richness and helps the honey mustard adhere.
7. Now for the fun part: assembling the sandwich! Spread a generous amount of the prepared honey mustard sauce on both halves of the toasted bagel. Place the fried chicken cutlets on the bottom half of the bagel. Top with your choice of lettuce, tomato, or pickles, if desired. Honestly, sometimes I just go for the chicken and honey mustard – simple and delicious!
8. Place the top half of the bagel over the toppings, press down gently, and serve immediately. Enjoy every single bite of your delicious Fried Chicken Bagel Sandwich with Honey Mustard! It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.