Description
This Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate homemade version of a classic comfort favorite — golden, crunchy chicken on a soft toasted bun with just the right touch of sauce and pickles. Easy to make, perfectly seasoned, and totally satisfying, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk (or ¾ cup milk + 2 tsp lemon juice)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 tbsp butter
- Pickles, lettuce or coleslaw
- ½ cup mayo + 1 tbsp hot sauce + 1 tsp honey + lemon juice (for spicy sauce)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix buttermilk, salt, paprika, and hot sauce. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Prepare the Coating: Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and spices in a separate bowl. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture, dip back into the buttermilk, and dredge again for an extra-crispy coating.
- Heat the Oil: Pour 1 inch of vegetable oil into a skillet and heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Fry 2 pieces at a time for 4–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Toast the Buns: Butter the buns and toast them in a skillet until golden.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Spread sauce on both bun halves, layer the crispy chicken, add pickles and lettuce or slaw, then top with the bun.
Notes
For the crispiest coating, don’t overcrowd the pan and avoid covering the chicken while cooling. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10–15 minutes to bring back the crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: American Classic
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg