Description
This Spicy Chicken Sandwich is crispy, juicy, and packed with bold flavors. Featuring a perfectly seasoned, crunchy chicken breast topped with cool, creamy sauce, pickles, and fresh lettuce, it’s a delicious homemade version that rivals any fast-food favorite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (butterflied and pounded to even thickness)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the Spicy Mayo:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
- For Assembling:
- 4 brioche buns, toasted
- Pickle slices
- Lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken breasts, ensuring they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor).
- Prepare the Dredge:
- In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure a good coating. Place on a wire rack and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Make the Spicy Mayo:
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, hot sauce, smoked paprika, and honey (if using).
- Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Spread spicy mayo on both sides of the toasted buns.
- Add fried chicken, top with pickles, lettuce, and tomato (if desired).
- Place the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce directly on the chicken before assembling.
- Swap out lettuce for coleslaw for added crunch.
- If you prefer baking over frying, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.