Popeyes Spicy Chicken Sandwich

This new recipe will satisfy your craving for the classic Popeyes Spicy Chicken sandwich but with some creativity. The crispy chicken is infused with a spicy sauce and served with a homemade spicy Mayo, so the result is an even more flavorful sandwich, which is bold, tangy and delicious.

Ingredients

Spicy Chicken Marinade

• Two skinless and boneless chicken breasts (pounded into an even thickness).
• Buttermilk, 1 cup
• Hot sauce, preferably Louisiana style.
• Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon
• Cayenne pepper, 14 teaspoons (adjust according to your preferred heat level)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• Cumin ground to 1 teaspoon
• 1 teaspoon honey (to add a touch of sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon

The Flour Coating:

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

Spicy Mayo

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
• Honey (to balance heat)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Taste salt and pepper

Sandwiches:

• Four soft brioche buns
• Pickled jalapenos: Adds spice and tang.
• 4 large dill slices (for contrast and a nice crunch)
• Butter (unsalted): 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Marinade Begin by preparing the chicken marinade, then combine the buttermilk with the hot sauce, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder, then add honey. All ingredients should be combined well.

Make sure the chicken breasts are fully submerged in the marinade, so cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least an hour or overnight, so the flavors will penetrate the chicken, resulting in a juicy and flavorful dish.

Step 2: Prepare Flour Coating As the chicken marinates, prepare the coating, then in a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose cornstarch flour, smoked paprika powder, garlic powder and onion powder with salt, cayenne, black pepper and cayenne, so this mixture of spices gives the chicken a little extra kick and ensures that it fries up crisp and golden.

Step 3: Prepare the Spicy Mayo. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with sriracha, honey, Dijon, mustard and lime juice. Stir well until smooth. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding more sriracha if you want it hotter or more honey if you prefer sweetness, so this spicy, creamy sauce is the perfect accompaniment to crispy chicken.

Step 4: Dredge the Chicken and Fry it. Once the chicken is marinated, remove the mixture of buttermilk from the chicken, letting the excess liquid drain off, so each piece of chicken should be dredged in the flour mixture. Press gently to ensure that the coating sticks, then remove any excess flour by sifting it off.

Heat about 2 inches (50mm) of vegetable oil on medium-high heat in a large pan or deep fryer, so oil should be heated to around 350degF (or 175degC). Do not overcrowd your pan when frying the chicken. Cook each piece of chicken for 6-8 minutes, then flipping the pieces halfway through is recommended.

Transfer the chicken onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Toasting the Buns Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat while the chicken rests. The brioche rolls should be cut in half and toasted in butter until crispy and golden. This step gives the buns extra flavor, texture and strength to hold up against the spicy chicken and mayo.

Step 6: Assemble your Sandwich. Spread a generous amount of spicy mayo onto the bottom of each toasted Brioche bun. Add some pickled jalapenos and dill pickles to the sandwich for a little extra spice.

Add a piece of crispy fried chicken to the top of the pickles. Then, add some more pickled jalapenos for more heat, then place the top of the bun onto the sandwich and gently press it down to keep everything in place.

Step 7: Enjoy and Serve Your new style Popeyes Spicy chicken sandwich is ready! You can serve it with some crispy fries or fresh coleslaw to create a restaurant-quality meal at home, so A combination of spicy mayo and pickled jalapenos with tangy pickles and crispy chicken creates a sandwich bursting in flavor.

Success Tips:

• You can also adjust the spice level if you don’t like too much heat. Reduce the cayenne and sriracha content in the recipe. Honey in the marinade and mayo helps balance the spice. Feel free to reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or sriracha as desired.
• Rest the Chicken. After frying, let the chicken rest for a few minutes on a piece of paper towel to allow the excess oil to drain, so this will keep it crisp.
• Make it Your Own: Experiment with other ingredients, such as different hot sauces, or add a slice of melted cheese to give the dish extra richness.

Why this Works:

This new style Popeyes Spicy Chicken sandwich takes the original and adds a twist by adding a homemade spicy jalapeno mayo. The pickled peppers also enhance the flavor and heat. Honey in the marinade for the chicken and mayo gives the sandwich a complex and irresistible taste, so the crispy chicken, pickles with a tangy flavor, and soft brioche are all the right vehicles for these bold flavors.

You’ll never see a chicken sandwich in the same light again after trying this spicy version of a fast-food classic!