Go Back
+ servings
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Get ready to dig into the BEST Crispy Chicken Sandwich made in the comfort of your own home kitchen. A tender juicy buttermilk-marinated chicken breast, with a perfectly crisp outside, topped with homemade honey mustard dressing and fixings to your liking, all on a soft hamburger bun. Look out, Chick-fil-A.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Marinating Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 599kcal
Author: Amy Nash

Ingredients

Crispy Chicken

  • 4 small chicken breasts, room temperature (or 2 large ones sliced in half horizontally)
  • Salt & pepper
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Breading

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper or smoked hot paprika, optional for a spicy chicken sandwich

Assembly

  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Green leaf lettuce, sliced tomatoes, dill pickles, thinly sliced red onions, and cheese, for topping
  • Peanut or vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Chicken

  • On a flat surface, slice each chicken breast in half horizontally, if they are large. Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and pound lightly on the thick end so they are roughly an even thickness. Season generously with salt and pepper, then place in a bowl or Ziploc bag and cover with the buttermilk. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  • Create a breading station by lining up 3 bowls with the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and pepper, in one bowl, eggs in a second, and panko, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in the third. You may want to add a little additional salt and pepper to season the breadcrumb mixture or add cayenne pepper or smoked hot paprika for a spicy chicken sandwich.
  • Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge them in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip them in the beaten eggs, and finally dredge them in the panko breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to thoroughly coat the chicken at each stage. Set aside for 10-15 minutes to rest.
  • Heat at least ½" of oil in a large skillet over high heat. It should be between 325 and 350 degrees F to cook the chicken. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken in the pan, being careful not to crowd the pan. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. Cook each chicken breast for 3-4 minutes on each sides until golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F when tested with a digital meat thermometer. Remove to wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.

Assembly

  • Wash and dry the lettuce and slice the tomatoes and onions. Just before assembly, butter and toast the buns on a hot griddle or skillet.
  • Spread some of your favorite sauce on the bottom bun, then add the lettuce, sliced onions, tomatoes, and crispy chicken, followed by cheese and pickles (if using), more sauce, and finishing with the top bun.

Notes

  • Storage: The chicken can be kept in the fridge for 2 days but better to enjoy right away like all the fried foods. Reheat in the air fryer or oven for best results.
  • Pickle juice marinade option: If you have a dairy allergy or want to try something a little different, try marinating the chicken in ¾ cup of pickle juice and ¼ cup of water instead of buttermilk for 30 minutes before breading.
  • Spicy mayo: Stir together ½ cup mayo, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and ½ tsp garlic powder in a bowl and use to top the sandwiches.
  • Honey mustard sauce: Stir together ¼ cup mayo, ¼ cup dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp honey, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp vinegar, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and pinch of cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Air fryer crispy chicken sandwiches: Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F. Place 2 of the breaded chicken breasts into the air fryer and spray them with cooking spray. Cook for 11-13 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the chicken registers 165 degrees F when tested with a digital meat thermometer.
  • Baked Crispy Chicken Sandwiches: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place a wire rack in baking sheet. Lay the breaded chicken breasts on the wire rack and spray it with cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10-12 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees F when tested with a digital meat thermometer.

Nutrition

Calories: 599kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 244mg | Sodium: 1241mg | Potassium: 1073mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 428IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 197mg | Iron: 5mg