Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Homemade Sauce
The Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Homemade Sauce is a bold and flavorful sandwich featuring crispy, perfectly seasoned chicken paired with a rich, creamy sauce. Combining heat, crunch, and fresh ingredients, this sandwich offers a balanced and irresistible bite that can be easily customized for different spice levels or dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (substitute gluten-free flour and buns as noted in variations)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Buttermilk, enough to soak chicken (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
Creamy Homemade Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
Sandwich Assembly
- 4 hamburger buns
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Pickles (sliced or whole, to preference)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: Begin by soaking your chicken pieces in buttermilk mixed with a pinch of salt, garlic powder, and paprika. This tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with subtle flavor while preparing the surface for the crunchy coating. Marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Make the Creamy Homemade Sauce: Combine mayonnaise, hot sauce, garlic powder, lemon juice, and honey in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and refrigerate to let the flavors meld while you prepare the chicken.
- Mix the Crispy Coating: In a shallow dish, blend flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. This seasoned flour will create the signature crunch.
- Coat and Fry the Chicken: Remove the chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Thoroughly dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep skillet or fryer. Fry the chicken pieces for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels to keep crispness.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Lightly toast hamburger buns. Spread a generous amount of creamy homemade sauce on the bottom bun, then layer with crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours to ensure tenderness and flavor.
- Maintain oil temperature at around 350°F to avoid burning the coating.
- Drain fried chicken on a wire rack to retain crispiness.
- Adjust spice levels gradually by modifying cayenne and hot sauce quantities.
- Use fresh vegetables and homemade sauce for optimal flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: spicy chicken sandwich, homemade sauce, crispy chicken, fried chicken sandwich, creamy sauce, easy dinner, spicy sandwich