The Best Spicy Chicken Sandwich

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This spicy chicken sandwich is quick & easy to make, yet so juicy and tender to give you a scrumptious burst of flavor in every bite. Tenderized in a buttermilk marinade and topped with spicy mayo, this sandwich is so incredibly delicious and comes together with just a few ingredients.

The best chicken sandwich in the comfort of your home!

A good fried chicken sandwich has always been my ultimate obsession.

Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, and KFC are all widely known for their iconic spicy chicken sandwiches, which are usually my go-to choice for takeout.

As much as it’s one of my favorite foods, after countless sessions, I’ve finally cracked the code to make the best spicy crispy chicken sandwich in the comfort of your home, and it is so easy that anyone can follow along!

Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, each piece of chicken is loaded with incredible flavor that will satisfy all your fried chicken cravings, and only calls for a handful of ingredients to make.
This spicy chicken sandwich recipe was inspired by Popeyes and KFC in making the perfect sandwich that combines the buttery brioche and juicy chicken from Popeyes, and the spicy mayo and fresh vegetables from KFC.

It calls for a simple two-step process, to be soaked in a buttermilk marinade, then to be dredged in a flavorful flour mixture.

The succulent chicken pieces are then ready to be deep-fried to golden and assembled into your sandwich for the perfect bite.

With simple pantry ingredients, the marinade and flour mixture comes together in seconds – in which all the “effort” that’s really needed is to resist your temptation and wait for the chicken to be marinated for a few hours or ideally overnight.

Although it requires a little bit of patience, letting the chicken marinate overnight makes a world of a difference so I would highly suggest preparing it in advance! I promise you though, it is well worth the wait. 😉

What do I need to make a spicy chicken sandwich?

This spicy chicken sandwich sandwich recipe not only calls for an easy two-step process but requires simple ingredients that are commonly found in your kitchen.

Here are all the ingredients you will need:

To marinate the chicken:

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: I recommend using the larger pieces without trimming the fat, as this will make the chicken extra juicy and tender.
  • I prefer using chicken thighs over breasts for this sandwich as it results in that delicious melt-in-your-mouth texture, but feel free to use chicken breasts if you prefer a denser, more meaty texture.
  • A cup of buttermilk: This is an essential ingredient to tenderize the meat while making it extra flavorful.
  • Buttermilk can be commonly found in grocery stores, but in case they are not available, I recommend mixing a cup of whole milk with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Stir these ingredients together and set aside for 5 minutes before adding in the spices.
  • Sriracha, salt, pepper, and garlic powder: to season the marinade.

To assemble the sandwich:

  • Flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne powder: to be chicken to be dredged in. If you prefer a less spicy version, you can skip or reduce the cayenne powder.
  • Sriracha + mayonnaise: to make the burger sauce.
  • Burger buns: lightly toasted with butter. I highly suggest using brioche buns as it adds that heavenly touch your tastebuds deserve.
  • Your choice of toppings. I used sliced pickles, tomato, and lettuce for this recipe, but feel free to use your own favorite toppings! Having a few different options available also makes for a fun activity to have your loved ones.
  • And of course, cooking oil to fry the chicken! I recommend using a deep fryer or a deep frying pan to avoid overcrowding, as well as to prevent any oil splatters.

Tips & tricks to make the best spicy chicken sandwiches

This crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich recipe calls for a simple method, but there are a few key tips to truly bring your sandwich to the next level. Here are some helpful tips for your cooking process:

Marinate the chicken overnight for best results!

This will bring out the maximum amount of flavor in your chicken and tenderize the meat to have that glorious melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you are running low on time, I would suggest marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours in the buttermilk mixture.

Mix in some of the buttermilk marinade into the flour mixture.

I like to add about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and whisk it in with a fork, to create the extra-crunchy pieces for the coating. Press the flour mixture firmly onto both sides of the chicken, to ensure the entire surface is well-coated.

Fry the chicken at 325˚F until golden brown, ensuring to flip it halfway.

Depending on the size of the chicken, it will take about 3-4 minutes on each side to cook to perfection. The thickest part of the chicken should register 165˚F (75˚C) and should have a golden brown and crispy exterior.

I suggest frying one or two pieces at a time, as this will help maintain the temperature the entire way. To avoid splatter, I recommend using a deep frying pan for your frying – here is a link to my stainless steel saute pan that I used in my video.

Be creative with your toppings!

My personal preference is to add a slice of tomato, garlic dill pickles, and lettuce, but the choice is all yours. Please feel free to add any of your favorite toppings, you really can’t go wrong with this!

Serve with lightly toasted brioche.

Regular burger buns will do the job, but using brioche buns for your crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich truly brings it to the next level.

Soft & buttery brioche with a hint of sweetness truly makes for the most delicious spicy crispy chicken sandwich you can make at home.

I recommend toasting it with some butter before assembling the spicy chicken sandwiches. Be careful not to burn them as they are quite delicate!

I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious spicy chicken sandwich recipe, and please leave me a comment below or message me on Instagram if you have any questions. Happy cooking!

INGREDIENTS

Buttermilk Marinade

  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs pounded to even thickness
  • 1 cup buttermilk see notes below
  • 2 tbsp Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce
  • 1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder

Flour Mixture

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp paprika powder
  • 1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne powder reduce cayenne for less spice

Spicy Mayo

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Sriracha or your choice of hot sauce

To assemble

  • cooking oil for frying
  • 4 burger buns lightly toasted with butter
  • lettuce, tomato, and/or pickles sliced, or your choice of toppings

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