Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich features a perfectly crispy, juicy chicken fillet tucked into a soft, buttery bun, so topped with crunchy pickles and creamy mayo, it’s a timeless favorite that never disappoints!
Ingredients
Marinade for Chicken:
- Two skinless and boneless chicken breasts (pounded into an even thickness).
- Buttermilk, 1 cup
- Add 1 tablespoon of hot sauce to your dish for extra flavor.
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
The Flour Coating:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
- Cayenne pepper, optional (for a bit of heat).
Sandwiches:
- 4 brioche rolls (soft and slightly sweet)
- Sliced 1 large dill Pickle
- You can add extra flavor by using spicy mayonnaise.
- Dijon Mustard (optional)
- Butter (for toasting buns).
Frying:
- Vegetable Oil (for Frying)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Chicken Marinade. Place the skinless and boneless chicken breasts into a large bowl, so use a rolling pin or meat mallet to gently pound them to an equal thickness of approximately 3/4 inch. The chicken will cook evenly and remain juicy if you do this.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk with the hot sauce, garlic powder, onion, smoked pepper, salt and black powder, then pour the marinade over chicken breasts and make sure they are fully submerged. Refrigerate the bowl for 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to soak into the chicken.
Step 2: Prepare Flour Coating As the chicken marinates, prepare the coating. Combine the all-purpose cornstarch flour, smoked paprika powder, garlic powder and onion powder in a shallow dish, then add salt, pepper, cayenne, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients until they are evenly distributed. This mixture will give the chicken its signature crispy texture.
Step 3: Dredge Chicken After the chicken has marinated for a few hours, remove it from the buttermilk mixture. Let any excess liquid drain off. Each piece of chicken should be dredged in the flour mixture and gently pressed to ensure that it is evenly coated. Shake any excess flour off and place the chicken on a platter. For that crisp texture, you want to have a nice thick crust.
Step 4: Heat Oil In a large pan or deep fryer over medium heat, heat approximately 2 inches of vegetable oils. The oil temperature should be 350degF (or 175degC). Test the oil by putting a piece of bread in it. The oil will be ready if it browns within 60 seconds.
Step 5: Frying the Chicken. Carefully lower the chicken pieces into the hot oil one by one. Do not overcrowd your pan in order to get the chicken to fry evenly. Flipping the chicken halfway through is a good idea. Fry for 6-8 minutes until golden brown. The outside of the chicken should be crisp, and the inside tender and juicy.
After the chicken has been fried perfectly, so please remove it from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 6: Toasting the Buns While resting the chicken, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then, cut the brioche rolls in half. Toast them in butter until golden brown and crisp. The sandwich will have an additional layer of flavor.
Step 7: Assemble your Sandwich. It’s finally time to put it all together! Spread mayonnaise generously (and Dijon Mustard, if desired) on each bottom half of the toasted bun. Pickle slices can be added to the mayo to give it a tangy crunch that goes well with the fried chicken.
Then, place a fried breast of chicken on top of the pickles. Finally, top with the other bun half. Gently press down to hold everything in place.
Step 8: Enjoy and Serve Your homemade Popeyes Classic Chicken sandwich is now ready for serving! You can cut it in half if you like. Then, enjoy this juicy, crispy masterpiece.
Tips for Success
- Marinate to Flavor: The longer the chicken is marinated, the more flavorful and juicy it will become. You can marinate the chicken overnight if you have enough time.
- A thermometer will help you maintain a constant temperature in the oil (350 degrees F). If you fry the chicken at a temperature that is too high, it will burn. If it’s too low, then your chicken will become greasy.
- You can customize the heat: If you like a spicy sandwich you can add cayenne to the flour mixture or mix mayonnaise and a little hot or sriracha sauce.
This recipe works:
This homemade version captures the essence and taste of the original Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich with its crispy fried chicken. It also has tangy pickles on a buttery, soft brioche bun. This recipe is easy to prepare at home using ingredients that you probably already have, so the results are delicious.
You can enjoy your homemade version of the Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich along with fries or a simple side salad.
