LOOKING FOR A CRISPY, JUICY AND FLAVORFUL SANDWICH? Our recommendation is to try the Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich– a favorite among everyone due to its crispy coating, succulent chicken, and fresh toppings. It is that very harmonious blend of textures and flavors, however, which makes this sandwich a great choice for any heartily tasty repast.
Homemade fried chicken sandwich, for the family or barbecuing with friends, you should never shy away from a proper recipe! We are going to walk you through all that, from how to season the chicken down to making its signature crispy crust.
Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwiches Ingredients
Makes 4 (recipe can simply be adjusted)
For the Fried Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (I prefer using the juice from thighs on whole)
2 cups buttermilk, for marinating
1Tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for additional flavor)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch (for crispy)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tsp cayenne (optional for heat)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sandwich:
4 brioche or hamburger rolls, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon or mustard of your choice
Lettuce (plays well with butter lettuce or iceberg)
Tomato slices
Pickles (I mean it!)
Crispy Fried Chicken SandwichesInstructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
When you marinate the chicken in buttermilk it helps to tenderize it and infuses SO much flavor.
Combine buttermilk and hot sauce (if using) in a large bowl. Turn the instant pot into Poultry mode and set it to HIGH PRESSURE Close with a quick-release Seal Add chicken thighs or breasts (do not crowd) and completely cover them in sauce.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Sweat the chx This is important for a juicy, flavorful Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Dredging Station (Picture here):
Step: 2
Crispy coating for dipping, while the chicken is marinating:
Add the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to a shallow dish.
The secret ingredient is the cornstarch. These will become the crispy vampiric crust for our lovely vampires.
Step 3:Heat the Oil
In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Add oil in a pan, the depth should be around 2 inches to fry these quesadillas uniformly.
Step 4:Coat the Chicken
Take out the marinated chicken from the refrigerator. Using one piece at a time, remove the chicken from the buttermilk and let any excess drip back into the bowl. Dip the chicken in the flour, pressing down hard to make sure that it is fully covered.
For an even crunchier coating, dip the chicken back into the buttermilk and yet again in flour. Doing a double-dip will result in an extra thick, crunchy coating.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Lower the chicken pieces, one by one gently into hot oil. Cook for 5-7 mins per side (depending on how thick the chicken breast is) until golden and cooked through in the center. The meat should reach an internal temperature of 165F/74C.
Drain any excess oil and transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. It will keep the chicken extra crispy as it cools down.
Step 6:Toast the Buns
Once the chicken is done let it rest while you toast your brioche buns in a dry skillet or under an oven broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden and slightly crispy. This gives the sandwich a nice crunch and also protects the bread from getting mushy.
Step 7:Assemble the Sandwich
And now the fun part — all those components get together for a crispy fried chicken sandwich.
On both halves of each toasted bun, spread a thick layer of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
Place about of fried chicken on the lower bun.
Top the chic with lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles (if) using
Top with the top bun, press down gently, and viola!
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Slice the sandwich in half for easier eating, then serve right away while that chicken is all nice and crunchy. Add a side of fries, coleslaw or potato chips to complement your Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich.
How to Achieve the Crispiest Fried Chicken Sandwich
The buttermilk marinade – Do not forgo the marinating process; after all, this is how we get a nice tender meat as well as having that crispy crust on our chicken.
Include cornstarch in the coating: Combining a bit of this with your flour mixture will result in an extremely crispy and more delicate light crust. This little trick is what makes the fried chicken POP!
Get DDOUBLE-crunchy If you like your crust a little thicker, simply re-dip the chicken into the buttermilk after dredging once and then coat again with flour.
Oil temp: The key to that perfect crispy crust without burnt bits or uncooked parts is a consistent 350°F oil temperature.
Pick your toppings: While lettuce, tomato, and pickles are necessary add-ons to any burger, you can easily throw one or maybe a few strips of bacon or even coleslaw.
The Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich with the Works
This is an old-school recipe, but there are so many things you can add to it that the possibilities are endless…
Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich
For any spice lovers — increase the cayenne behind added to the flour mixture or verbiage spot fry wuss in a zesty buffalo sauce before you drive and assemble this sandwich. Spicy mayo – Mix some mayonnaise with hot sauce or sriracha to taste.
Hot Chicken Nashville Hot Chicken nestled between pickles yes is a style of Japanese recipe that the chef here Yanagi posted this photo in your Seattle Times article last year.
Or you could go Southern-style: after frying your chicken, brush it with a blend of hot sauce and cayenne pepper (with some dark brown sugar for sweetness), then slather on the butter to create that Nashville-HOT-chicken sandwich. Serve this sandwich on the plainest of buns and top with your favorite pickles to allow that heat to shine.
Buttermilk Ranch Fried Chicken Sandwich(es)
If you like a creamier type of sandwich, opt out of the mustard and use buttermilk ranch dressing instead with added sliced cheddar cheese. This imparts a zesty, velvety texture that draws up the flavor while leaving it for dead against crispy chicken.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
For those of you wanting a lighter alternative, skip the frying and go ahead and grill your chicken instead. Marinate chicken in buttermilk mixture as usual, then grill for 5-6 minutes per side or until done. This is a more natural option that does not skimp on flavor.
Calories: 750
Protein: 32g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fat: 40g
Sodium: 1120mg
Fiber: 4g
What Makes This Fried Chicken Sandwich So Good
Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich (all-time favorite!) The outer layer of every bite is crispy and remarkably seasoned, while the chicken within remains juicy. The addition of fresh lettuce, tomato, and pickles on top provides a burst of lightness while the beautifully crisp brioche holds everything together in one hearty package.
Perfect for the die-hard fans of traditional fried chicken, or those who thrive on how creative sandwiches can get. For starters, it works for casual lunches or weekends.
