Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich Recipe
If you love a good crispy chicken sandwich, you are going to fall in love with my recipe. I enjoyed recreating the flavor and texture of the beloved Chick-Fil-A sandwich at home. If you’ve never tried the Chick-Fil-A version of this sandwich, you can happily just skip it and make it yourself – but better. And if you are familiar with those Chick-Fil-A craveworthy chicken sandwiches, I promise you will not be disappointed with this copycat DIY version! It’s made with marinated chicken breast that’s coated in a seasoned flour mixture then fried until golden brown and served on a toasted buttered bun with pickles and a tangy mayo-based sauce which is my copycat version of the Chick-Fil-A special sauce. The fried chicken sandwich is moist and juicy from pickle brine and then gets ultra crunchy from double dipping it in buttermilk and then a flour mixture! It’s both tender and crispy and will satisfy any fast food craving without actually leaving your house.
Ingredients for a Crispy Chicken Sandwich
This recipe uses simple, basic ingredients, to recreate your at-home crispy chicken sandwich to taste like the real thing from Chick-Fil-A. Have on hand the following:
Fried Chicken:
Buttermilk Dill pickle juice Cholula, Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce Large boneless, skinless chicken breasts All-purpose flour Cornstarch Garlic salt (or garlic powder) Baking powder Smoked paprika Onion powder Ground black pepper Canola oil
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce:
Mayonnaise Sriracha or hot sauce Dill pickle juice Dijon mustard Granulated sugar
Sandwich Assembly:
Store-bought soft white hamburger buns or brioche buns Softened butter Sliced tomatoes Chopped lettuce Sliced dill pickles
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions. Simply add 1 1/2 tablespoons of an acid such as white vinegar or lemon juice into a large measuring cup. Add regular milk up to the 1 1/2 cups marker. Let it stand for 5 minutes, or until it starts to curdle. At this point you have buttermilk that can be used as directed for the 1 1/2 cups buttermilk in this recipe. I don’t recommend trying to thin out Greek yogurt or using another type yogurt. You technically could, but it’s just easier to use or make DIY buttermilk, and follow the recipe like I wrote it.
How to Make Homemade Crispy Chicken Sandwiches
No deep fryer is needed to make the famous Chick-Fil-A sandwich at home. Just follow these straightforward steps from the perfect seasoning blend to the toasted bun. Step 1: Chicken and Marinade – In a large Ziploc bag, combine the buttermilk, pickle juice, and hot sauce. Step 2: Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and place them in the bag to marinate for at least two hours in the refrigerator. Step 3: Make the fried chicken filet breading mixture by combining the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, and pepper. Whisk together in a shallow dish. Step 4: Remove one piece of chicken from the buttermilk, shake the excess, then dredge in the flour. Step 5: Dip it the buttermilk mixture again, then dredge once more in the flour. Drain or discard your marinade and the flour mixture. Step 6: Fry your chicken cutlets in a large Dutch oven filled with hot oil. Why you may ask? This “layering” of the battering ingredients helps create extra crispy fried chicken that’s truly irresistible! Step 7: Sauce – Make your sauce by combining mayo, hot sauce, pickle juice, and sugar in a bowl and stirring to combine. Also check the temp of your fried chicken with a digital thermometer to make sure it’s actually done. I pull my chicken when it reads 160-162F and then let it rest for 5 minutes and the temp comes up to 165F, which is the safe temperature for consumption. Step 8: Buns and Assembly – Butter the hamburger buns and toast in the oven for a few minutes. Step 9: Assemble your crispy chicken sandwiches by spreading the sauce over the buns, adding the fried chicken then topping with pickle slices, lettuce, and tomato before serving!
Tips for Frying Chicken for Sandwiches
Use some of your prep time to pound the chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer out to the same thickness so they cook evenly. If needed, you can cut your chicken breast into smaller pieces so they fit on the bun better. Your hot oil needs to remain at 350°F. Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature. You need a large dutch oven or deep pot to fry the chicken. You may also wish to use a splatter guard. Do not use a skillet that’s too shallow like what you’d use to make eggs.
Only cook 1 to 2 pieces of chicken at a time. Do not overcrowd the pan. Place cooked tender chicken pieces onto paper towels. Or place them into a warm oven while frying the remaining chicken, which helps keep the chicken crispy. You can make copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets, tenders, or chicken strips using this same method, but with smaller pieces of chicken. Cook as necessary noting that total time for frying time will be less the smaller the chicken pieces are.
What to Serve with Copycat Chick-fil-A Fried Chicken Sandwiches
Don’t forget to serve your classic chicken sandwich and sides with plenty of the Chick-Fil-A copycat sauce. It’s a must for us! Other sides or items including:
Coleslaw Potato Salad with Bacon Warm German Potato Salad Baked Beans Slow Cooker Bourbon Maple Baked Beans Thick Cut Seasoned Fries Fries or waffle fries Sweet Potato Fries Baked Tortilla Chips Potato chips
Want More Copycat Recipes?
Other copycat recipes that we love to make at home include:
Big Mac Sliders Wendy’s Frosty Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Panera’s Broccoli Cheese Soup Starbucks Double Chocolate Brownies Texas Roadhouse Rolls P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps
It’s so satisfying to skip the drive-thru or a fast food chain when you have these dishes in your repertoire, plus they taste so much better, have less sodium, and can save you a few dollars, too!
Storing Leftover Fried Crispy Chicken
Fried anything, but especially fried chicken, is truly better freshly made! Leftovers simply are not the same. However, you may store leftovers of your fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also store the chicken patties in a freezer-safe bag for 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until crispy and warmed through. If frozen, thaw first.
More Easy Breaded Chicken Recipes:
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breasts — Learn how to make perfectly “fried” chicken in your air fryer! Deliciously crispy on the outside while staying juicy, tender, and moist on the interior. This is the BEST guiltless fried chicken! EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table FAST! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken — Coated in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, this “fried” chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy, tender, and moist inside! It’s EASY, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights, and a healthier way to indulge in fried chicken! Oven-baking instructions also provided. Cheesy Chicken Fritters — These AMAZING fritters include tender and juicy chicken, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and an array of spices to give them tons of great flavor! Serve them as an appetizer, on slider buns for sandwiches, or as the main dish! EASY, FAST, and a guaranteed family favorite! Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets — These EASY air fryer nuggets are coated in a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, which makes them EXTRA flavorful and SO CRISPY!! Dip them in this 30-second homemade honey mustard sauce for a guaranteed family FAVORITE!! Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken — This Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken tastes like it’s been deep fried, but it hasn’t! Even better, it’s ready in under 30 minutes and is easy to whip up at the last minute. Cornflake Chicken — This cornflake baked chicken is so crisp on the outside you’d think it was fried! This meal comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights. Baked Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard — These chicken nuggets are coated in a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, which makes them extra flavorful and crispy! Dunk them in homemade honey mustard or your dipping sauce of choice. Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake — A hearty comfort food casserole that includes juicy chicken, pasta, marinara, the BEST crispy buttery breadcrumb topping and TWO types of cheese!! A family favorite big-batch recipe that’s also great for meal prepping!! Baked Chicken Alfredo — Hearty Italian-inspired comfort food! Fettuccine noodles are tossed in a homemade alfredo sauce, topped with chicken, baked, and then finished off with crispy crunchy breadcrumbs! A classic yet easy recipe that’ll be a guaranteed family favorite!
