Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe (The Best!)

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!

Crispy 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.

Frying is undoubtedly more work intensive than many chicken recipes, but it is absolutely worth it. Once you make fried chicken once, you’ll want to make it again and again. Wow your family (and your taste buds) by making delicious fried chicken at home.

Best Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe – step by step

1. Add chicken, buttermilk, hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to a large resealable bag and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
2. Heat 1½ inches of canola oil in a dutch oven or large pot to 350°F.
3. In a wide bowl, combine 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.
4. Fry two 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.
5. Make the sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
6. Assemble sandwiches by spreading the open sides of the toasted buns with sauce. Top the bottom bun with fried chicken, pickles, lettuce, and the top bun.

The History of the Fried Chicken Sandwich

Move over, Colonel Sanders and Chick-fil-A cows, there’s a new fried chicken sandwich in town! While KFC is known around the country for their fried chicken, Chick-fil-A maintains that they created the original chicken sandwich.

The past year or so Popeye’s fried chicken sandwiches have been all the rage, but we are here to say this homemade version is EVEN BETTER and you can make it any time. No need to wait in line.

Theirs is served with pickles on a steamed bun and, while delicious, the sandwich could use an upgrade.

In the South, fried chicken is often made spicy with a buttermilk and hot sauce marinade or sweet and served over a waffle with sweet syrup. There’s the famous Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, which includes a sticky hot-sauce drenched piece of fried chicken.

In the midwest, it’s common to put cheese on a fried chicken sandwich. In this combination you’ll get a combination of all the best trends from around the country.

What you need to fry chicken at home

It might sound intimidating to turn your kitchen into a fry zone. With just a few simple tools, you’ll have a no-fail setup for a safe, clean, and (dare I say) fun frying experience.

1. Frying Thermometer: this will help you get the oil to the right temperature to cook the chicken properly to create a crispy crust and fully-cooked interior.
2. Spider: the easiest way to get things in and out of the fryer.
3. Splatter Screen: Protection from any rogue oil splashes.
4. Dutch Oven: A thick enameled cast iron pot that will conduct and evenly distribute heat.

To get ready to fry, use a large high-sided pot and be sure to keep your oil at 350°F. My favorite trick is to use a splatter screen to protect yourself (and your counters) from any oil.

To make incredible fried chicken, you want the exterior of each piece to get dark and crispy.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

Just like the grilled buttermilk chicken kebabs, this fried chicken sandwich recipe uses a buttermilk marinade to make the chicken extra tender and juicy. If you don’t have buttermilk, don’t worry!

You can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Frying is the best way to ensure a crispy chicken, and every bite of this sandwich is full of texture and flavor. Sandwiches and burgers are all about the toppings, and this one is no different. 

The acid of the pickles cuts through the oil and fat and I always use soft buns to balance out the crunch of the chicken. 

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. This sandwich is less than 700 calories and you can also make these changes to make the dish healthier if you so wish…

• Use a low-fat/nonfat mayonnaise.
• Use chicken breast instead of thighs.
• Use a whole wheat bun, rather than these brioche buns.
• Add in some more fresh veggies such as tomatoes and onions to your toppings.

More Recipe Notes and Tips

• Make sure your oil is at 350°F before frying the chicken.
• Fry the chicken in batches, don’t overcrowd the pot.

This Popeye’s Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich is sure to please even the pickiest eater. So much better when made from scratch.

If you have tried this fried chicken sandwich recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!