You'll adore this easy spicy chicken sandwich. The chicken is juicy and flavorful; the breading is seasoned, and the extra crunchy crust will give pleasure in every bite. Bonus, get the sauce recipe as well. And you can make it in 45 mins, wow!
There's nothing I love more than crafting the perfect fried chicken fillet.
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My kids love Zinger from KFC, I wanted to create a similar recipe for them. I wanted to keep the steps simple and quick. Although getting that crispy crust might look overwhelming it is super easy with this technique.
The secret to crisp!
The marination allows the chicken to absorb the flavors, and you can marinate for as little as 20 minutes. While the chicken rests, I assemble the remaining ingredients, set the breading station, and make the sauce.
The secret to crispy fillet is a quick dunk of the floured chicken in cold water and rolling it in flour again. This allows a thick coat of flour on the fillet to give you a perfectly crispy bite.
I have a chicken burger patty recipe that's incredibly juicy and flavored with herbs.
Ingredient
So below you will find ingredients in two sets, one for chicken and another for sauce and assembling.
Ingredient for Fried Chicken
You'll make the best-ever chicken fillets that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Find ingredients displayed in the image.
- Chicken: I've used chicken breast fillets here. If you want the chicken to be extra juicy, consider using chicken thighs.
- Chipotle sauce: Any spicy sauce can add a deep color and a spicy kick to the chicken. I used chipotle sauce in this recipe, but you can also use hot peri peri sauce or sriracha sauce.
- Flour & Cornflour: Both ingredients are used in the chicken's breading, creating that crispy coating.
- Baking powder: This helps to make this coating more crispy.
- lemon juice: adds a tangy flavor and helps the marinade meld with the chicken fillets. You can also substitute with white vinegar.
- Seasonings: Use basic seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, and salt. Few are repeated in the flour coating mixture as well.
Ingredients for Sauce and Assembling
I assemble this spicy chicken sandwich using these ingredients. Feel free to add your favorite veggies or condiments to personalize it! This is my take on the spicy fried chicken sandwich.
- Buns: I have used regular buns which are lightest. You can also try a brioche bun or potato bun for extra-rich bite.
- Sauce: Make my special sauce by combining basics like mayonnaise, mustard sauce, ketchup, honey, and of course, chipotle sauce for extra spiciness. You can use any other hot sauce like peri peri or siracha too. Adjust measures to heat preference.
- Veggies: My spicy sandwich gets a fresh and crunchy touch with lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and onions. Don't forget the sliced jalapeños or pickles for an extra kick!
- Cheese: For the cheese, I opted for classic cheddar slices. Sharper cheddar or American cheese are good options.
How to make this?
Look at the simple steps to make a spicy chicken sandwich at home.
Prepare Chicken: If using chicken breast then slice each breast horizontally from the middle to divide in two fillets. If using chicken thigh use directly.
Pound the chicken well before using, and prick them with a fork for better absorption of the seasoning.
- Mix an egg, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon, and chipotle sauce in a bowl. Whisk it well to make the marinade
- Then, roll the chicken fillets into this marinade and let them rest for 20 minutes. (Pro Tip: Marinate overnight in the refrigerator for a juicy texture.
- While the chicken rest prepare the sauce by mixing ingredients of sauces.
- Next prepare flour coating by combining flour, cornstarch, chili flakes, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
- Dredge marinated chicken and the chicken in the dry flour mixture.
- Next, dunk the coated chicken briefly in the ice-cold water. (Pro tip: The ice-cold water helps create a thicker breading.)
- Immediately, roll the chicken fillet in flour coating once again, completing a double coat. Repeat with all the fillets and rest the coated chicken for 10 minutes to allow the coating to stick well.
- Heat oil in a pan or wok. Deep fry it over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is crispy and cooked through. Flip the chicken halfway. (Pro-tip: Adjust heat as needed as less will allow the chicken to absorb too much oil and more heat can over-cook the coating while inside it still cold.)
- Fry chicken in two to three batches depending on the size of the pan and avoid over-crowding. Transfer the crispy fried chicken to the wire rack to drain.
Assemble the sandwich.
Spread a generous layer of your homemade sauce on the bun. Place your perfectly golden-brown fried chicken on top.
Cover with a slice of cheese. Layer on lettuce, tomato slices, red onion rings, and pickles. Then you can add a layer of extra sauce like dijin mustard or spicy ketchup. I like to add this tomato jam.
Place the top part of the bun. Get ready to sink your teeth into pure deliciousness!
Serving Suggestion
I'm love sauce and dips, I'd serve this burger with another sauce like sweet chili, spicy ketchup or just thousand island. Pair the sandwich with fries, and coleslaw for a complete meal.
Store unfried chicken in the fridge for up to 24 hours or freeze. To freeze place the chicken breast in the single in the zip lock bag. Thaw completely before frying.
Expert Tips
Chicken temperature: Make sure the chicken is at room temperature while marinating. Otherwise, it will take longer to cook from inside.
Pounding and piercing: After pounding the chicken breast, you can slice the chicken vertically too.
Marination: The key to flavorful chicken is marination. I kept the minimum marination time for convenience. Marinaton a few hours ahead or overnight in the fridge will draw out the chicken's best flavors.
Coating: I do a double dredge for an extra crispy crust. If you prefer a thin crust, go for a single coat and skip the dunk in the water.
Freeze-Friendly: The good news is these chicken fillets are freezer-friendly! You can simply coat them and freeze them for up to 6 months.
FAQS
The spice level can be adjusted to your preference. The recipe offers options for different chilies and mentions using a pre-made spice blend like Cajun seasoning for a complex flavor.
Double the coat of flour to make it super crispy.
Hungry for more chicken? Try these!
If you try this spicy chicken recipe, I'd LOVE to hear your feedback in the comments. Your 5-ratings motivate me to do my best. Stay connected for more recipes and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
Marinate
- 660 g (3 ) chicken breast, or 6 thigh pieces,, see notes
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce, substitute with siracha sauce, hot peri peri sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For flour mixture
- 1 cup flour
- ⅓ cup cornflour
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoons pepper
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ tablespoons paprika
- 1-½ teaspoons chili flakes , or to taste
- Cold water, for dipping
- Oil, to fry
Sauce
- ¾ cup
mayonnaise
- 2-3 tablespoon chipotle sauce
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoons mustard sauce
To assemble
- 6 Cheese slices
- 6 buns
- Lettuce, pickles, veggies
- Any other sauce of choice, ketchup or sweet chili
Instructions
Prepare Chicken
- Slice each breast from the middle to divide into two cutlets. You'll have 6 cutlets. If using chicken thigh use 6 pieces directly.Place a plastic wrap on the chicken then pound the chicken well. Then prick each cutlet with a fork for better absorption of marinade.
Marinate
- Take egg, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon, and chipotle sauce in a bowl. Whisk it well to make the marinade.
- Now, add the chicken fillets to this marinade and let them rest for 15 mins. (Pro tip: Marinate your chicken overnight in the refrigerator if possible.)
Coating
- Now, for the coating, combine flour and cornstarch. Add chili flakes, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Dredge marinated chicken in the dry flour mixture. Next, dunk the coated chicken briefly in the ice-cold water.
- Immediately, roll the chicken fillet in flour coating once again, completing a double coat. Repeat with all the cutlets and rest the coated chicken for 10 minutes to allow the coating to stick well.
Fry
- Then, deep fry it over medium heat in for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is crispy and cooked through.
Assemble
- Mix mayonnaise with all the other sauces to create a homemade sauce.
- Spread a generous layer of your homemade sauce on the bun. Place your perfectly golden-brown fried chicken on top.
- Cover with a slice of cheese. Layer on lettuce, tomato slices, red onion rings, and pickles. Then you can add a layer of extra sauce or ketchup. Serve.
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