Crispy Chicken Sandwiches

Crispy chicken sandwiches are the perfect combination of crunchy, juicy fillets of chicken, tangy pickles, and a creamy sauce. All nestled in a soft bun. These sandwiches will be a big hit whether you make them for a group, lunch or dinner. This sandwich is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients:

For the Chicken

• 2 large, boneless and skinless chicken breasts. (Sliced in half horizontally. Or pounded into an even thickness.
• Buttermilk, 1 cup (for marinating).
• 1 tablespoon of hot sauce (optional for an extra spicy kick).
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• Paprika, 1/2 teaspoon
• To taste: salt and pepper

breading:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
• Cayenne pepper, optional (for extra heat).
• Baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon (for extra crispiness).

For Frying

• Vegetable Oil (for frying – about 3 cups).

Sandwich Assembly:

• Soft burger buns, sandwich rolls or 4 soft burger/sandwich buns
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard or Yellow Mustard, 2 Tablespoons
• Honey 2 Tablespoons
• Pickle slices with dill (or sweet, depending on your preference)
• Fresh lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes (optional).

Instructions:

1. Marinate the chicken:

• Combine the buttermilk with the hot sauce, garlic powder, onion, paprika and salt in a large bowl. Mix well.
• The chicken breasts should be fully submerged in the buttermilk mixture. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to four hours. This marinade helps to tenderize and flavor the chicken.

2. Prepare the breading:

• Combine the flour with the garlic powder, paprika and other ingredients in a shallow dish. Mix well.

3. Coat the chicken:

• Remove the chicken marinated in buttermilk from the liquid and let any excess liquid drip off.
• To ensure an even coating, lightly press each breast into the flour mixture. Dip the chicken in buttermilk, then again into the flour mix for an extra crisp coating.

4. Fried Chicken:

• Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pan or deep fryer. When frying, you’ll need to use enough oil to coat about half the chicken fillets.
• After the oil reaches 350degF (or 175degC), lower the chicken carefully into the hot oil. Fry the chicken until it is golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes. The chicken’s internal temperature should be 165degF (74.2degC).
• Place the chicken on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.

5. Make the sauce:

• Combine the honey, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Mix well until smooth. This is your creamy sauce to use on sandwiches.

6. Assemble your sandwiches:

• If desired, lightly toast the buns on a pan or in the oven for a few minutes.
• Spread generous amounts of honey mustard sauce over the bottom halves of each bun.
• Layer a crispy chicken filet, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes (if you are using them) on top.
• Serve immediately.

Tip and variations:

• Add some heat: To add extra heat, you can drizzle hot sauce on the chicken fillets or add cayenne to the breading mix.
• Grilled Chicken: If you want a lighter version of the recipe, grilling chicken breasts is a great alternative to frying. Marinate the meat as directed and then grill it over medium heat, 5-6 minutes on each side, until cooked.
• Vegetarian option: Instead of chicken, use crispy breaded portobello or tofu.
• Add cheese: To add a tasty twist to your sandwich, melt a piece of Swiss, cheddar or pepper jack on top of the fried chicken.
• You can make the breaded fillets ahead and store them in the fridge for up to two days. You can crisp them up by reheating them in the microwave.

Nutritional Information per sandwich (based on four sandwiches)

Note: The nutritional values listed are approximations and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

• Calories: ~500-600 per sandwich
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg

Why you’ll love these crispy chicken sandwiches:

Crispy chicken sandwiches are the perfect combination of juicy, crunchy chicken, tangy dill pickles and creamy honey mustard sauce. These sandwiches are simple to make, highly customizable and will be sure to please a large crowd. This crispy chicken sandwich is perfect for any occasion, whether you want to indulge for dinner or serve a crowd-pleasing meal.