Start by preparing the bacon. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Lay out the strips of bacon and bake for about 25 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.

While the bacon is baking, slice the chicken breasts lengthwise to create thinner pieces. This helps them cook faster and more evenly. Season both sides of each piece of chicken with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the seasoned chicken slices. Sear each side for 3-4 minutes until a crispy golden crust forms. At this point, the chicken won’t be fully cooked through, but don’t worry—we’ll finish it in the oven.

Drizzle a generous amount of hot honey over each piece of chicken while it’s still in the skillet. The hot honey will start to caramelize and coat the chicken beautifully. Top each piece with a slice of Pepper Jack cheese. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

While the chicken finishes in the oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a clean skillet. Cut your buns in half and toast them face-down until golden and crisp. A toasted bun adds warmth and prevents it from getting soggy.

Now it’s time to put everything together. Start with one toasted bun half, layer on a piece of hot honey-glazed chicken with melted cheese, followed by 1-2 strips of crispy bacon and crunchy dill pickles. Add an extra drizzle of hot honey if you like it spicier. Finally, top it with the other bun half and serve immediately.