📝 Introduction.

One day last summer, Jake came to my house around 9 p.m. and said, “Help me make a crispy chicken sandwich.” Jake’s girlfriend was coming to visit that night, and he wanted to surprise her with this delicious crispy chicken sandwich.

I took him into my kitchen and showed him how to make them. About 40 minutes later, Jake went home with four perfect sandwiches. The next day, he texted me, “He loved them so much, I got a second date.”

All you need to make these sandwiches is good technique and 20 minutes. Sometimes I add spices to these crispy chicken sandwiches. Otherwise, I keep it classic.

Use these recipes whenever you want to impress someone or feed hungry kids. I’ll show you how to make them in a few simple steps.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe.

Quick: You can make this sandwich in less than 30 minutes. It’s faster than waiting for delivery people to come.

Saves money: You can feed four people for the cost of one fast food meal.

You have control: Choose the spiciness according to the recipe. Make it hot or mild, and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Surprise your guests: They’ll be surprised after tasting this sandwich. This recipe is perfect for any dinner party.

📊 Recipe Overview.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Calories (Approx): 580 per sandwich

🧂 Ingredients & Substitutes.

1. Chicken: You can use chicken breasts, but for the best flavour, buy chicken thighs. The thighs are juicy, tender, and have a nice texture when fried. If you use breasts, pound them evenly so they don’t dry out.
2. Buttermilk: It tenderises your meat. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of regular milk with one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, then let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Cornstarch: Cornstarch prevents gluten from forming in your bread, keeping it light and crispy. So always use cornstarch.
4. Brioche Buns: Choose a soft, buttery bun that will keep the fried chicken from falling apart.
5. Pickle Juice: Pour the juice from a pickle jar into the marinade. It gives the chicken a sharp, immediate flavour and helps keep the meat moist.

Full Ingredient List:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 4 brioche buns
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
• Dill pickle slices
• Butter lettuce leaves

🔪 Kitchen Tools Required.

• Large cast iron skillet
• Instant-read thermometer
• Meat mallet
• Two shallow bowls for dipping
• Wire cooling rack
• Baking sheet
• Slotted spoon or tongs

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Crispy Chicken Sandwich.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken.

Wrap each chicken breast in plastic wrap, then use a meat mallet to pound it into about ½-inch pieces. It’s easier to cook when the meat is the same thickness.

Step 2: Set up the dipping station.

Take two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, crack your eggs and whisk in the buttermilk until well combined.

Now, in the second bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt and pepper and mix everything well.

You should be smelling a pleasant aroma by now.

Step 3: Double-dip method.

First, take a piece of the chicken you pounded and dip it in the flour mixture you made in the previous step, coating it completely and shaking off the excess. Next, dip it completely in the buttermilk mixture and let it soak in well.

Now, dip it in the flour again and press it down firmly to coat it well. The lumps that accumulate in a wet, dry place will give the sandwich a crispy texture, so don’t smooth them out.

Step 4: Fry to golden perfection.

Fill your pan with oil about an inch deep, and when it’s heated to 350°F, add two pieces of chicken to the pan. You can fit more in your pan, but don’t. If you overcrowd the pan, the temperature will drop, and you’ll end up with steaming chicken instead of fried.

Cook your chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until it’s a deep golden brown, and your thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 165°F. Once cooked to your desired doneness, transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet and let it rest for two minutes. This will help it retain its crispiness.

Step 5: Make the sandwich.

Slice your brioche buns and toast them in a pan with butter for about a minute. While the buns are toasting, mix your mayo and hot sauce.

Spread the sauce evenly over the top and bottom buns, place the lettuce on the bottom, and place the crispy chicken breast on top. Add as many pickles as you like, close the top bun, and press gently to hold everything together.

 Watch the video below for a visual walkthrough of each step.

💡 Pro Cooking Tips.

Keep your oil temperature consistent – the outside of the chicken will brown before the inside is cooked. If it’s too cold, you’ll get oily chicken, so keep the oil temperature just right.

Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before frying – this resting time helps the breading set and allows the chicken to hold together well.

Don’t cover the fried chicken – if you cover the fried chicken, the steam will ruin the crispiness. So always use a wire rack instead of paper towels.

Add plenty of seasoning to your batter – most of it will stay in the pan when you’re done. The chicken will take up about 30% of what you put in. So use more than you think you’ll need.

What to Serve With a Crispy Chicken Sandwich.

• Chocolate chip cookies

🔄️ Healthier Swaps.

Air Fryer Alternative: You can also cook the chicken in an air fryer. Drizzle a little oil over the chicken and cook at 480°F for about 15 minutes. This method won’t be as crispy as deep frying, but you can save about 200 calories on a crispy chicken sandwich.

Try a whole wheat bun: You can use a whole wheat bun instead of a brioche. This will give you more fiber.

Lighten the sauce: You can replace half or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. Mix it with hot sauce. This swap adds protein and significantly reduces fat.

🥡 Storage & Reheating.

Refrigerate: Leftover chicken (without buns) can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Keep everything separate – sauce, pickles, buns, chicken.

Reheat: Skip the microwave. It will lose its crispiness, so use your oven to reheat or air-fry for 5 minutes at 350°F. This step will make it look fresh.

Freezing: You can freeze uncooked breaded chicken for up to 3 months. Fry straight from frozen – add an extra minute or two per side.

📌 Conclusion.

You should definitely make this crispy chicken sandwich recipe this weekend. This recipe seems intimidating when you first try it. But after a while, you’ll realize how simple the steps are.

This crispy chicken sandwich is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a Friday night family dinner, a weekday lunch, or a way to impress a guest. You’ll be creating restaurant-quality food with your own hands.

Did you add any special sauce? Extra spicy? Tell me everything! If you took a photo, don’t forget to tag me on social media.

Check more recipes on our homepage: TastyRecipeZone

(Some images in this article were generated using AI.)

❓ FAQs

1. Question: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
   Answer: Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs are actually juicier and more forgiving. Just pound them to even thickness like you would the breasts.
2. Question: Why is my coating falling off during frying?
   Answer: Two common reasons: the chicken wasn’t dry enough before dipping, or you moved it too soon after placing it in the oil. Let it fry undisturbed for at least two minutes before flipping.
3. Question: Can I make this without deep-frying?
   Answer: Yes! Use an air fryer at 380°F for 12-14 minutes. The texture isn’t identical, but it’s still delicious and much lighter.
4. Question: How do I know when the oil is hot enough?
   Answer: A thermometer is best (aim for 350°F). No thermometer? Drop a small piece of breading in. If it sizzles and floats immediately, you’re good.
5. Question: What other sauces work well with this sandwich?
   Answer: Honey mustard, ranch, sriracha mayo, or even a simple garlic aioli. Get creative! There’s no wrong answer here.