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Crispy Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich Recipe Easy Homemade Guide

crispy copycat Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich - featured image

A quick and easy recipe to make a crispy, juicy chicken sandwich at home that mimics the iconic Chick-fil-A sandwich with simple pantry ingredients and a special marinade.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied or pounded thin (about 1/2 inch thick)
  • 1 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Peanut oil or vegetable oil, enough for 1-2 inches in a skillet
  • 4 soft hamburger buns, lightly toasted
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Pickle slices
  • Optional: lettuce, tomato

Instructions

  1. Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing horizontally but not all the way through, then open like a book or pound to 1/2 inch thickness.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together dill pickle juice, milk or buttermilk, sugar, and salt until sugar dissolves.
  3. Submerge chicken breasts in marinade, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
  4. In a shallow dish, mix flour, powdered sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using.
  5. Pour oil into skillet to 1-2 inch depth and heat to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off, dredge in flour mixture, dip back into marinade briefly, then coat again in flour mixture.
  7. Fry chicken in hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Transfer fried chicken to wire rack over baking sheet to drain excess oil and keep crispy; rest for 5 minutes.
  9. Brush buns with melted butter and toast in dry skillet for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  10. Assemble sandwich with fried chicken on bottom bun, top with 2-3 pickle slices, then crown with top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

Marinating is essential for flavor and tenderness. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness. Double coating the chicken with marinade and flour ensures a crispy crust. Use a wire rack to drain fried chicken to keep it crispy. Butter-toast buns to prevent sogginess and add flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. For dairy-free, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use dairy-free butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chick-fil-A, chicken sandwich, copycat recipe, crispy chicken, homemade, quick, easy, fried chicken sandwich