Homemade Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Create at home the most delicious, homemade, fried, crispy chicken sandwich! Crispy juicy chicken on homemade from-scratch buns, topped with a flavorful savory sweet sauce and cheese just can’t be beat!

If you are someone who has tried every fast food crispy chicken sandwich out there, trying to find the “best” one, you have come to the right place! No need to keep looking or eating out, this homemade crispy chicken sandwich recipe is both easy and delicious!

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INGREDIENTS

• Boneless chicken thighs (pack of 8)

Chicken Marinade

• 2.5 cups buttermilk (2.5 cups milk + 2.5 teaspoons white vinegar)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Flour Coating

• 2.5 cups flour (unbleached or oat)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoons paprika
• 3 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

Coleslaw

• 1/2 head red lettuce (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 lemon (juiced)
• 2 tablespoons oil (I use avocado)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 half pint mason jar

Homemade Savory Sweet Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 2 tablespoon sweet relish
• 1 diced jalapeno
• 1/2 onion (diced)
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 teaspoons mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Homemade Buns Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 egg + 1 egg white (store egg yolk in the fridge for the egg wash before baking)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup oil (I use avocado)
• 4 cups flour (unbleached all-purpose)

INSTRUCTIONS

Coleslaw Instructions

1. Thinly slice red cabbage and stuff it into a half pint mason jar.
2. In a small bowl, combine white vinegar, lemon juice, oil, sugar, and salt. Thoroughly mix.
3. Pour liquid mixture over sliced cabbage. Allow it to sit in the fridge until ready to use.

Homemade Buns Instructions

1. In a medium sized bowl, or stand mixing bowl, whisk warm water, sugar, and yeast together.
2. Once yeast mixture is thoroughly dissolved, allow it to sit for 5 minutes until it appears foamy.
3. Add egg yolk and egg white, salt, oil, and sugar. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
4. Add flour, and kneed for 15 minutes. (I let my stand mixer kneed the dough until it is very smooth.)
5. Pull the dough from the sides of the bowl, shape into a ball, and allow to rise for an hour in a warm place.
6. Once dough has doubled in size, remove the dough and split into 12 balls.
7. Flatten the balls with your hands (trying to keep them round on the edges), and roll into the egg wash (remaining egg yolk + 1 teaspoon water).
8. Place soaked ball on a lined baking sheet (I prefer cast iron), and sprinkle with sesaeme seeds.
9. Allow buns to rise for an hour.
10. Bake at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Fried Crispy Chicken Sandwich Instructions

Prepare the chicken in the marinade at least 3-4 hours before cooking.

1. In a medium sized bowl combine buttermilk, egg, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Place chicken on a baking sheet with a ridge, or a baking dish, and pour the buttermilk mixture over top.
3. Allow the chicken to rest in the marinade and the fridge for at least 3-4 hours.
4. In a medium sized bowl, or on a large plate, create the flour mixture (flour, baking powder, paprika, oregano, basil, thyme, celery seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt).
5. Using tongs, pull the chicken from the marinade, and place into the flour mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
6. Place the chicken on a wire rack.
7. Heat oil in a cast iron dutch oven to 340 degrees F.
8. Fry chicken for 6 minutes (3 minutes on each side).
9. Place chicken on a paper toweled plate while preparing the sandwich.
10. Cut the buns in half. Add savory sweet sauce to the top on half of the bun, the crispy chicken, coleslaw, and a slice of cheese.

Kitchen Tools I Used

• Cast iron baking sheet
• 7 quart KitchenAid Stand Mixer
• Unbleached parchment paper
• Lodge dutch oven (6 qt)
• Wire rack
• White porcelain bowls