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This hearty buffalo chicken sandwich combines crispy fried chicken with spicy buffalo sauce for the ultimate comfort food experience. It's a restaurant-quality sandwich that brings together the perfect balance of heat, crunch, and creaminess right in your own kitchen.
I first made these sandwiches for a weekend football gathering, and they disappeared faster than any other dish on the table. Now my family requests them regularly, especially when we're craving something indulgent but don't want to order takeout.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: create the perfect foundation for this sandwich. Look for plump, evenly sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Buttermilk: tenderizes the chicken while adding tanginess. If you don't have buttermilk, regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice works well.
- Hot sauce: forms the base of our buffalo coating. Frank's RedHot provides that classic buffalo flavor, but any cayenne pepper hot sauce will work.
- Unsalted butter: mellows the heat of the sauce while adding richness. Always use unsalted to control the final saltiness.
- Honey: balances the spiciness with a touch of sweetness. Local honey offers the best flavor.
- Brioche buns: complement the sandwich with their subtle sweetness and soft texture. Choose fresh, pillowy buns for the best eating experience.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: cools down the spicy chicken. Homemade versions elevate the sandwich but store-bought works perfectly too.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Place buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt in a large bowl and whisk until completely combined. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they're fully submerged, and refrigerate for at least one hour. The acid in the buttermilk works to break down proteins, resulting in incredibly tender chicken.
- Prepare the Coating:
- Mix flour and cornstarch in a shallow dish until thoroughly combined. The cornstarch is crucial here as it creates an extra crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after being coated in buffalo sauce. Remove each chicken piece from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure an even coating with no wet spots.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet until it reaches approximately 350°F. Carefully place each coated chicken piece into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side until the exterior turns a deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to maintain crispiness.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce:
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once completely melted, add hot sauce, honey, and garlic powder, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened. The honey not only adds sweetness but helps the sauce cling better to the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Using tongs, dip each fried chicken piece into the buffalo sauce, turning to ensure complete coverage. Allow excess sauce to drip off before transferring back to the wire rack. This double-coating technique creates the perfect balance of crispy and saucy textures.
- Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Lightly toast the brioche buns until just golden. Spread a generous layer of ranch or blue cheese dressing on both halves of each bun. Layer lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles on the bottom half, then place a buffalo-coated chicken piece on top. Complete with the top bun, pressing gently to secure all ingredients.
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The buttermilk marinade is my favorite part of this recipe. I discovered its magic years ago when trying to recreate my grandmother's fried chicken, and it transformed my cooking. Something about the tangy flavor it imparts to the chicken makes these sandwiches irresistible, even to friends who typically avoid spicy foods.
Perfect Spice Level Adjustments
Not everyone enjoys the same level of heat, which is why this recipe is wonderfully adaptable. For milder sandwiches, reduce the hot sauce to 1/3 cup and increase the butter to 1/3 cup. The butter dilutes the capsaicin compounds that create heat while maintaining that classic buffalo flavor. For extra-spicy versions, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce or substitute a hotter sauce like habanero for part of the regular hot sauce. Remember that the cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing helps balance the heat, so adjust your toppings accordingly.
Make-Ahead Options
While these sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare components ahead of time to streamline the cooking process. Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor development. The flour coating mixture can be prepared up to three days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Even the buffalo sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week. Simply reheat it gently on the stove until warm and fluid before coating the chicken. This preparation strategy makes these sandwiches feasible even for busy weeknight dinners.
Serving Suggestions
These buffalo chicken sandwiches pair perfectly with classic sides that complement their bold flavors. Crispy french fries or sweet potato fries provide textural contrast, while a side of celery and carrot sticks with extra dressing offers a fresh, cooling element. For a lighter option, serve with a tangy coleslaw that cuts through the richness of the sandwich. A simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette also works beautifully. To create a restaurant-style presentation, serve each sandwich wrapped in parchment paper and secured with a toothpick, alongside a small ramekin of extra buffalo sauce for dipping.
Common Queries
- → How do I keep the chicken juicy?
Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least an hour. This tenderizes the meat and keeps it moist during frying.
- → Can I make the chicken less spicy?
Adjust the spice by using a milder hot sauce or adding more butter to the buffalo sauce. You can also serve with extra dressing to cool the heat.
- → What's the best bun to use?
Brioche buns add a touch of sweetness and hold up well to saucy chicken, but standard sandwich rolls work nicely too.
- → What toppings pair well with buffalo chicken?
Lettuce, tomato, and pickles bring freshness and crunch while ranch or blue cheese dressing adds creaminess.
- → Can this be made ahead?
Fry the chicken ahead and reheat in a hot oven for crispiness just before assembling your sandwiches.