Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2024)

Home Chicken Sandwiches Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Becky Hardin

4.62 from 391 votes

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This Fried Chicken Sandwich is the best! It really doesn’t get much better than crispy and juicy fried chicken on a toasted bun with a smoky paprika sauce. It’s easier than you think to make your own fried chicken at home and this recipe will ensure you have succulent chicken every time!

Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (1)

What’s in this Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe?

Each layer of this chicken sandwich brings its own unique and tasty flavor profile. Add them all together and you’ve got an unforgettable sandwich. Crisp greens and sweet bread and butter pickles balance out the rich fried chicken. The smoky paprika sauce adds creaminess and just a little bit of heat.

  • Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs make the best juicy fried chicken sandwiches!
  • Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with moisture and flavor.
  • Hot Sauce: Adds a kick of heat to the chicken marinade and the sauce.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken marinade.
  • Canola Oil: The perfect neutral oil for frying to create a crispy crust.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps the chicken crisp up to crunchy perfection.
  • Ground Black Pepper: Adds a bit of spice.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds an earthy flavor.
  • Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor to the chicken and the sauce.
  • Mayonnaise: Makes the sauce creamy and rich.
  • Burger Buns: Buttery, soft, and fluffy brioche buns are perfect for this sandwich!
  • Pickles: Bread and butter pickles are sweet and tangy– perfect to offset the richness of the chicken.
  • Cabbage: Crunchy and fresh to offset the heaviness of the chicken.

Pro Tip: Let your chicken marinate for at least 4 hours in the buttermilk, longer if possible. If the chicken can marinate at least this long (or even overnight), you’ll be sure to have the juiciest fried chicken!

Variations on Fried Chicken Sandwiches

These classic fried chicken sandwiches are so delicious. But you can take them to the next level by trying one of these variations:

  • BBQ Ranch: After frying the chicken, brush it with your favorite barbecue sauce. Assemble the sandwich with a drizzle of ranch dressing, lettuce, tomato, and optionally, some crispy bacon.
  • Southern Slaw: Top your fried chicken with a generous portion of tangy coleslaw. You can add pickles or sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.
  • Honey Mustard: Drizzle the fried chicken with a combination of honey and Dijon mustard for a sweet and tangy flavor. Add lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices to complete the sandwich.
  • Mediterranean: Marinate the chicken in buttermilk, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like oregano or thyme. Serve the chicken on a bun with tzatziki sauce, sliced cucumber, tomato, red onion, and lettuce.
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What type of chicken is best for a fried chicken sandwich?

For the juiciest chicken, I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs!

How do you make the chicken crispy and juicy at the same time?

The secret to juicy chicken is to give it a nice, long marinade in the buttermilk. To make it crispy, you’ll want to carefully follow the breading procedure and ensure your oil is at the proper temperature.
I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to maintain the proper oil temperature. Take care not to overcook the chicken, or it could dry out.

How long should I marinate the chicken in buttermilk?

As long as possible! A minimum of 4 hours should do the trick, but overnight is truly the best.

How can I make this healthier?

Let’s not pretend that a fried chicken sandwich is a healthy option, it’s definitely a treat meal, but making it at home is a way better option than a takeout version. There are a few extra steps you can take to make it healthier, like using a low-fat/nonfat mayonnaise, using chicken breasts instead of thighs, using a whole wheat bun rather than these brioche buns, or adding in some more fresh veggies such as tomatoes and onions to your toppings.

Can I air fry the chicken instead of frying it?

Sure! Follow my Chick Fil A Fried Chicken recipe for instructions on how to air fry!

How do I prevent the breading from falling off the chicken?

To prevent the breading from falling off, make sure to pat the marinated chicken dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can prevent the breading from adhering properly. After breading the chicken, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes. This resting time allows the breading to set and adhere better.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

The chicken is cooked through when it reads 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

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How to Store and Reheat

I always recommend storing the chicken, buns, and toppings separately. Store the crispy chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through, then assemble the sandwiches as desired.

How to Freeze

I do not recommend freezing chicken sandwiches whole; however, you can absolutely freeze the fried chicken. Place the chicken in an airtight container to freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

These chicken sandwiches pair so well with Chick Fil A Sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch. Serve them with a side of french fries, coleslaw, potato chips, or potato salad. Dice up leftover fried chicken and add it to a salad or wrap!

Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (5)

Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (6)

4.62 from 391 votes

Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

It really doesn’t get much better than a crispy and juicy fried chicken sandwich, with a toasted bun and smoky paprika sauce.

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 hours hours 28 minutes minutes

Marinade Time: 4 hours hours

Servings: 4 sandwiches

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Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt divided (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
  • Canola oil for frying
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

For the Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Assembly

  • 4 brioche burger buns toasted
  • Bread and butter pickles
  • 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage

Equipment

Instructions

  • Add chicken, buttermilk, hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to a large resealable bag, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

    4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 4 teaspoons kosher salt

  • Heat 1½ inches of canola oil in a dutch oven or large pot to 350°F.

    Canola oil

  • In a wide bowl, combine the flour, remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade and dip each piece in the flour mixture until well coated.

    1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

  • Fry 2 pieces of chicken at a time until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Rest the cooked chicken on paper towels to cool.

  • Make the sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

    ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon hot sauce

  • Assemble sandwiches by spreading the open sides of the toasted buns with sauce. Top the bottom bun with fried chicken, pickles, cabbage, and the top bun.

    4 brioche burger buns, 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage, Bread and butter pickles

Notes

  • Let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours in the buttermilk, longer if possible. If the chicken can marinate at least this long (or even overnight), you’ll be sure to have the juiciest fried chicken!
  • Make sure your oil is at 350°F before frying the chicken.
  • Fry the chicken in batches, don’t overcrowd the pot.
  • Store the chicken separately from the buns and toppings, and assemble just before eating!
  • To reheat, place chicken on a wire rack set in a baking sheet and cook in a 400°F oven for 12-15 minutes.

Storage:Store fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)

Calories 1014Calories from Fat 549

% Daily Value*

Fat 61g94%

Saturated Fat 17g106%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 18g

Monounsaturated Fat 15g

Cholesterol 266mg89%

Sodium 3094mg135%

Potassium 467mg13%

Carbohydrates 79g26%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 1580IU32%

Vitamin C 8mg10%

Calcium 118mg12%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:American

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Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin founded Easy Chicken Recipes in 2018. She has been creating trusted, easy, and delicious recipes on the web since 2012. Becky is known for simple dinner ideas, delicious crockpot recipes, creative chicken meals, and so much more. We have built a team of recipe developers, testers, and writers that love to create trust chicken recipes for every family.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (15)Doug Wilkinson says

    Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (16)
    Chicken turned out absolutely fantastic. Great flavor only problem was my crispy batter fell off and I did everything according to the directions?

    Reply

    • Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (17)Becky Hardin says

      It sounds like the chicken may have been a bit too wet. Try patting it dry before dipping it in the flour!

      Reply

Older Comments

Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making great fried chicken? ›

They're 100% guaranteed to make you the King of Crunch.
  1. Fried Chicken Secret #1: A Salty Marinade = Juicier Meat.
  2. Fried Chicken Secret #2: Add Vodka to the Marinade.
  3. Fried Chicken Secret #3: Add Liquid to Your Dredging Mixture.
  4. Fried Chicken Secret #4: Double-Fry It.
  5. Read More.

Is chicken breast or thigh better for fried chicken sandwiches? ›

If a breast is used, it must be small, and it must be pounded thin for optimal fried surface area. Thighs are naturally juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts, which are prone to drying out—and usually too large for a sandwich anyway.

What makes a chicken sandwich a chicken sandwich? ›

A chicken sandwich is a sandwich that typically consists of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, served between slices of bread, on a bun, or on a roll.

How do you cut chicken breast for fried chicken sandwiches? ›

Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound them to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Cut each pounded breast in half. (If the pieces seem too large to fit in a bun, trim off the pointy ends; you can cook those as chicken nuggets at the same time you're cooking the breasts.)

How to keep the breading from falling off chicken fried chicken? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

Why do people soak chicken in milk before frying? ›

Marinating chicken with milk helps to tenderize the meat, making it juicier and more flavorful.

What's good to put on a chicken sandwich? ›

Tomatoes and onions – thickly slice juicy tomatoes and thinly slice onions into rings. Cheese – we don't always use sliced cheese but when we do, we love a medium cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese. Sauce – we love a simple mayonnaise or fry sauce (the same one we used for our burger recipe).

Why use chicken thighs instead of breasts? ›

Way More Flavorful

Any good cook knows that fat is flavor, and that is yet another reason why thighs are superior to breasts. Chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat, which means they're going to have more intense, rich flavor than their white meat counterparts.

What piece of chicken is best fried? ›

For dark meat aficionados, go for a mixture of drumsticks and bone-in thighs. For those who prefer white meat, a pack of bone-in breasts will do just fine. Figure on two or three pieces per person, plus leftovers because cold fried chicken eaten the next day is fantastic.

What is the secret ingredient in Chick-Fil-A chicken? ›

Chick-fil-A's secret to juicy chicken lies in their bringing process. Brining is the process of soaking meat in a solution of salt, sugar, and water. This helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Before cooking it, Chick-fil-A soaks its chicken in a solution of salt, sugar, and milk for up to 24 hours.

How long does Chick-Fil-A marinate their chicken in pickle juice? ›

What's the secret to Chick-fil-a chicken? The secret to that perfect tangy flavor is that it's marinated in pickle juice overnight.

What is Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich made of? ›

A boneless breast of chicken seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded, pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttered bun with dill pickle chips. Also available on a multigrain bun.

What is Popeyes batter made of? ›

WET Batter - place 2 cups of all purpose flour, 1 cup of corn starch, 1/2 cup of mustard powder, 2 tbs of backing powder, 1 tbs of paprika, 1 tbs cayenne, 1 tbs onion powder, 1 tbs salt and 4 cups of chicken stock in a mixing bowl. Mix wet batter in a bowl with a hand mixer with whisk attachment.

What does buttermilk do to chicken? ›

The secret to making the perfect fried chicken is the use of buttermilk, as it helps tenderize each piece while leaving each bite juicy and crispy. After marinating, dredge your chicken pieces in the flour mixture and get to frying!

What side dishes go with fried chicken sandwiches? ›

21 Delicious Side Dishes For Fried Chicken
  1. 01 of 21. Best Homemade Macaroni And Cheese. ...
  2. 02 of 21. Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
  3. 03 of 21. Homemade Baked Beans. ...
  4. 04 of 21. Classic Coleslaw. ...
  5. 05 of 21. Pan-Fried Okra with Cornmeal. ...
  6. 06 of 21. Best-Ever Succotash. ...
  7. 07 of 21. Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad. ...
  8. 08 of 21.
Dec 20, 2023

Is fried chicken better with batter or flour? ›

Fried chicken tastes fantastic with a batter or a flour coating. It's simply a matter of preference.

What do you soak chicken in before cooking? ›

Chicken Brine Ingredients

Salt: Kosher salt tenderizes the meat, helps it retain moisture, and adds flavor. Soy sauce: Soy sauce lends even more salt and flavor. Sugar: White sugar adds subtle sweetness and helps promote browning. Olive oil: Olive oil helps ensure moist and tender meat.

How to get the best flavor for fried chicken? ›

14 Ingredients You Should Be Adding To Your Fried Chicken
  1. Buttermilk is better than milk. ...
  2. Never skip the salt and pepper. ...
  3. Mix some cornstarch with the flour. ...
  4. Add butter to the oil. ...
  5. Classic parmesan makes a great coating. ...
  6. Add onions to the skillet for flavor. ...
  7. Try vodka for extra crunch. ...
  8. Add some fresh herbs.
Sep 13, 2022

What does adding eggs to fried chicken do? ›

Using egg whites to adhere the coating to the chicken ensures that the crust stays put, even if your chicken sticks to the bottom of the frying pan. The last bit of atypical preparation is sprinkling the hot chicken with the Bromberg's Fried Chicken Seasoning once it comes out of the fryer.

References

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