Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Homemade Sauce
A bold and mouthwatering Spicy Chicken Sandwich with a perfectly crispy, seasoned chicken breast and a creamy, tangy homemade sauce. This sandwich offers a satisfying balance of heat, creaminess, and crunch, ideal for a flavorful lunch or casual get-together. Easy to customize and made with fresh ingredients, it is sure to become your new favorite comfort food with a spicy twist.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)
Chicken & Marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp chili powder (plus more for marinade)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (plus more for marinade)
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
Creamy Homemade Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (vegan alternative optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Additional Ingredients
- Pickles, sliced (optional)
- 2 soft brioche or potato buns, toasted
- Marinate the Chicken: Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk mixed with 1 tsp chili powder and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper for at least 1 hour. This tenderizes the meat and infuses it with a subtle spicy base flavor.
- Prepare the Coating: In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. This mixture creates an ultra-crispy crust for the chicken that stays crunchy after assembly.
- Make the Creamy Homemade Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Let the sauce rest for 10 minutes so the flavors meld perfectly.
- Fry the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry to help the coating stick. Dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. Fry in hot oil heated to 350°F (175°C) in batches, avoiding overcrowding, until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Lightly toast the buns. Spread a generous amount of the creamy sauce on each side of the bun, layer on the crispy fried chicken, and top with pickles or your favorite vegetables like lettuce or tomato for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to avoid greasiness and ensure a crisp crust.
- Fry chicken in batches to cook evenly and maintain crunch.
- Pat the chicken dry after marinating to help the flour coating adhere better.
- Use fresh chili powder and cayenne pepper for optimal flavor intensity.
- Let the sauce rest for at least 10 minutes before serving for best taste.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and buns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: spicy chicken sandwich, homemade sauce, crispy chicken, creamy sauce, comfort food, spicy sandwich, easy lunch