Name: Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 cup buttermilk; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 dash hot sauce, or to taste; 1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®); 4 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves; 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®); 1 large egg, beaten; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 1/4 cup milk; Canola oil for frying; 4 soft hamburger buns, toasted and buttered; 6 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste; 12 dill pickle slices, or to taste

Craving that iconic fried chicken sandwich? This recipe delivers a delectable hybrid, capturing the best qualities of both Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, all from the comfort of your kitchen. Crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this DIY version is available any day of the week!

Follow The Directions

01

Step

In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Cut diagonal slits into the thick ends of the chicken breasts. (2 minutes)

03

Step

Toss the chicken breasts into the buttermilk marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and marinate for 2 to 4 hours. (5 minutes)

04

Step

While the chicken marinates, prepare the breading. In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, cornstarch, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix. (5 minutes)

05

Step

In another bowl, prepare the egg wash by whisking together the egg, buttermilk, and milk until combined. (3 minutes)

06

Step

Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Use a fork to handle the chicken. (2 minutes)

07

Step

Dip each chicken breast into the breading, ensuring both sides are fully coated. Shake off any excess. (3 minutes)

08

Step

Dip the breaded chicken breast into the egg wash, saturating the surface. (2 minutes)

09

Step

Return the chicken breast to the breading and coat again, shaking off any excess. Repeat this double breading process once more for each chicken breast. (5 minutes)

10

Step

Place the double-breaded chicken breasts on a wire rack to dry for at least 15 minutes. This step helps the breading adhere and become extra crispy. (15 minutes)

11

Step

Heat canola oil in a deep-fryer or large pot to a temperature between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to ensure accuracy. (10 minutes)

12

Step

Carefully lower the chicken breasts into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the fryer. (2 minutes)

13

Step

Fry the chicken breasts until they are golden brown, crispy, and no longer pink in the centers, approximately 4 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through. (5 minutes)

14

Step

Transfer the fried chicken breasts to a plate lined with crinkled aluminum foil. This helps prevent the bottoms from becoming soggy. (2 minutes)

15

Step

Spread mayonnaise over the toasted and buttered hamburger bun halves. (2 minutes)

16

Step

Stuff each bun with dill pickle slices and a crispy fried chicken breast. Serve immediately and enjoy! (2 minutes)

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.6/ 5 ( 33 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (5)

Estella Homenick
Feb 28, 2025
The chicken was so juicy and crispy. The double-dredge technique really makes a difference.
Keegan Powlowski
Jan 7, 2025
This recipe is amazing! My family loves it more than the restaurant versions.
Katarina Casper
Sep 5, 2024
I added a bit more hot sauce to the marinade for an extra kick, and it was perfect!
Frederic Wuckert
Aug 19, 2024
Next time, I'll try experimenting with different spice blends in the breading.
Deshaun Torp
Jul 26, 2024
The tips about maintaining oil temperature and not overcrowding the fryer were super helpful.

Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich