Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Homemade Sauce
This Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Homemade Sauce perfectly balances heat and creaminess, delivering juicy, tender chicken with a crispy coating, wrapped in soft buns and topped with a luscious, flavorful sauce. Ideal for lunch or dinner, this easy-to-make recipe offers bold flavors, customizable spice levels, and a comforting texture combination that will quickly become a family favorite.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs (choose according to preference)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk mixed with 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice)
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of salt
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional for smoky flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Homemade Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to spice preference)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Assembly
- 4 hamburger buns (bakery-quality, soft but sturdy)
- Leafy lettuce or sliced pickles (for crisp freshness and contrast)
- Marinate the Chicken: Soak the chicken breasts or thighs in buttermilk mixed with hot sauce and a pinch of salt. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour to tenderize the meat and infuse it with spicy flavor.
- Prepare the Spicy Coating: In a bowl, combine flour with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful coating for the chicken.
- Coat and Fry the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge thoroughly in the spicy flour mixture, ensuring every piece is fully coated. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove and rest on a wire rack to maintain crispiness.
- Make the Creamy Homemade Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce, and garlic powder until smooth. Adjust hot sauce quantity according to desired spice level.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Lightly toast the hamburger buns. Spread a generous layer of the creamy sauce on the bottom half, add lettuce or pickles for crunch, place the fried chicken on top, add more sauce if desired, and crown with the top bun. Serve immediately for best texture.
Notes
- Use a food thermometer to ensure frying oil is at 350°F for optimal crispiness and safe cooking.
- Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack to avoid soggy crust.
- Adjust spice levels gradually by modifying hot sauce in the marinade and sauce.
- Substitute buttermilk with milk plus vinegar or lemon juice if unavailable.
- Use bakery-quality buns for the best softness and durability.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and buns.
- For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños or chili flakes to homemade sauce.
- To add smoky flavor, include smoked paprika in the flour seasoning.
- Cheese lovers can melt favorite cheese atop the chicken before assembly for extra indulgence.
- Consider baking chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes as a healthier alternative to frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Spicy chicken sandwich, creamy sauce, homemade sauce, fried chicken sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, spicy chicken, sandwich recipe, gluten free sandwich