Introducing the delectable Chicken Thigh Sandwich, a mouthwatering delight that combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with a medley of flavors. Sink your teeth into this succulent creation, packed with savory goodness and served on a soft bun. Indulge in the perfect balance of crispy skin and melt-in-your-mouth meat that will leave you craving for more. Satisfy your hunger with this irresistible sandwich that is sure to become your new favorite!
The Best Crispy Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Craving a crispy chicken sandwich that rivals those from your favorite restaurant? Look no further! This homemade recipe delivers the perfect combination of a super crispy exterior and a moist and juicy interior. The secret? Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Chicken thigh meat stays juicy even when cooked longer, allowing you to achieve that irresistible crunchy breading with panko crumbs.
To make this delicious sandwich at home, start by ensuring your chicken thighs are a uniform size. If needed, trim them down to fit your buns, keeping in mind that they will shrink as they cook. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before breading to prevent the oil temperature from dropping too much.
Create a breading station by whisking an egg in one bowl and mixing panko crumbs, flour, and salt in another. Dredge the chicken pieces through the egg, shaking off any excess, then coat them thoroughly with the panko mixture. Heat cooking oil with a high smoke point (such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil) in a deep skillet or Dutch oven until it reaches and maintains 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What You’ll Need
To make these crispy fried chicken sandwiches, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 ounces each)
- Panko bread crumbs
- Brioche buns
- Egg
- Salt
- Cooking oil with a high smoke point (such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
- Sauce for garnishing (such as Yum Yum Sauce)
- Optional toppings: cabbage, cilantro, tomato, avocado
In addition to the ingredients, you’ll also need the following kitchen equipment:
- A heavy and deep skillet or dutch oven for frying
- A wire rack for draining the cooked chicken
- An instant-read digital thermometer to check the temperature of the oil and chicken
- A breading station (optional) with bowls or plates for coating the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs
How to Make a Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich
To make a crispy fried chicken sandwich, start by using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. This will ensure that the meat stays juicy and moist on the inside while getting super crispy on the outside. Trim the chicken thighs to fit the size of your buns if necessary.
Next, create a breading station by whisking an egg in one bowl and mixing Panko crumbs, flour, and salt together in another bowl. Dredge the chicken pieces through the egg, shaking off any excess, and then coat them thoroughly with the Panko mixture.
In a heavy and deep skillet or dutch oven, pour enough cooking oil to create a solid layer at the bottom of about 1/8 inch high. Heat the oil to and maintain it at 350 degrees F for the perfect fry. Add the breaded chicken to the hot oil and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until the Panko turns golden brown.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack to drain excess oil. Season with salt. To assemble the sandwiches, toast the inside of soft brioche buns before adding sauce to the bottom bun. Top with the cooked chicken and add cabbage, cilantro, or any other desired toppings. Finish by adding more sauce on top if desired.
Breading the Chicken
To achieve the perfect crispy texture, it’s important to properly bread the chicken. Start by whisking an egg in a bowl and mixing Panko crumbs, flour, and salt together in another bowl. Take boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 ounces each) and dredge them through the egg, shaking off any excess. Then set the chicken in the Panko mixture and flip it a few times to ensure that the outside is thoroughly coated.
For frying, use a heavy and deep skillet or dutch oven. Pour cooking oil into the pan until there is a solid layer of oil about 1/8 inch high. The oil should be heated to and maintained at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal frying. It’s important to use a cooking oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
When the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit, add the breaded chicken to the pan and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side or until the Panko crumbs turn golden brown. It’s crucial to monitor the internal temperature of the chicken using a thermometer. Once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
To assemble these mouthwatering sandwiches, start by adding your preferred sauce to the bottom bun. Then place the cooked chicken on top and add toppings such as cabbage, cilantro, or additional sauce according to your taste preferences. Consider using soft brioche buns for their chewy texture and toast them before assembling for added flavor.
Enjoy these homemade crispy fried chicken sandwiches that rival restaurant quality at a fraction of the cost!
Frying the Chicken
To fry the chicken for these crispy fried chicken sandwiches, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thigh meat is perfect for this recipe because it can be cooked longer without drying out, resulting in a super crispy exterior and juicy interior. The first step is to let the chicken sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before breading. This ensures that the chicken won’t lower the temperature of the oil when it’s added, which could lead to a less crispy exterior.
Next, you’ll need to create a breading station. Whisk an egg in one bowl and mix Panko crumbs, flour, and salt in another bowl. Dredge the chicken pieces through the egg, shaking off any excess, and then coat them thoroughly with the Panko mixture.
Now it’s time to prepare the oil. You can use a deep fryer if you have one, or a heavy and deep skillet or dutch oven if not. Pour enough cooking oil into the pan to create a solid layer about 1/8 inch high. The oil needs to be heated to and maintained at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal frying.
Creating a Chicken Sandwich
If you’re craving a crispy and flavorful chicken sandwich, you can easily make one at home that rivals those from your favorite restaurant. The secret to achieving the perfect texture and taste is using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. These thighs can be cooked longer without drying out, resulting in a super crispy exterior and a juicy interior.
To start, make sure your chicken thighs are a uniform size by trimming them down if necessary. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before breading to ensure they cook evenly. Set up a breading station with bowls or plates for the egg wash and Panko breadcrumb mixture.
For frying, use a cooking oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. Heat the oil to and maintain it at 350 degrees F for the perfect fry. You can use a deep fryer or a heavy skillet/dutch oven for frying. Cook the breaded chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Assemble your chicken sandwich by using soft and chewy buns like brioche. Toast the inside of the buns before adding sauce, cabbage or lettuce, cilantro, and any other desired toppings. The result will be a delicious homemade chicken sandwich that’s just as good as what you’d find in a restaurant but at a fraction of the price.
What to Serve it With
This crispy fried chicken sandwich is delicious on its own, but it can be even more satisfying when paired with the right side dishes. Here are a few options to consider:
1. Homemade Guacamole: The creamy and tangy flavors of guacamole complement the crispy chicken perfectly. Serve it as a dip for some tortilla chips or as a topping for the sandwich.
2. Classic Wedge Salad: A refreshing and crisp wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and blue cheese dressing can provide a nice contrast to the rich and flavorful chicken sandwich.
3. Bacon and Jalapeno Corn Salad: If you’re looking for something with a little kick, try this corn salad with smoky bacon and spicy jalapenos. The combination of flavors adds a unique twist to your meal.
4. Creamy Stovetop Mac & Cheese: For all the mac & cheese lovers out there, this creamy stovetop version will surely satisfy your cravings. The cheesy goodness pairs well with the crispy chicken.
With these side dish options, you can create a well-rounded and satisfying meal that will leave you wanting more of this delicious crispy fried chicken sandwich.
Other recipes to try
If you enjoyed this crispy fried chicken sandwich recipe, here are a few other delicious recipes you might want to try:
- Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe – A refreshing and flavorful salad made with cooked chicken, dried cranberries, and a creamy dressing.
- Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe – A classic comfort food that’s quick and easy to make. Ground beef is simmered in a tangy tomato sauce and served on buns.
- Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick – Tender and flavorful chicken skewers marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use chicken breasts if you prefer. However, chicken thighs are recommended because they stay juicier and more tender when cooked for longer periods of time.
Q: What type of oil should I use for frying?
A: It is best to use a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. Olive oil and avocado oil are not recommended as they do not hold up well to high heat.
Q: How long should I cook the chicken on each side?
A: Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the Panko crumbs turn golden brown. Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a thermometer and ensure it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time?
A: While it’s best to enjoy the sandwiches immediately after frying the chicken for maximum crispiness, you can prepare all the components in advance. Store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and assemble the sandwiches when ready to serve.
Q: What other toppings can I add to these sandwiches?
A: Feel free to customize your sandwiches with your favorite toppings. Some suggestions include lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickles, or different sauces like mayo or sriracha.
How long does it take to fry chicken?
The cooking time for frying chicken will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. In this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are used, which typically take about 5-6 minutes per side to cook. The Panko breadcrumbs should turn a golden brown color when the chicken is done. It’s important to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a thermometer, and it should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing it from the oil.
For frying chicken, it’s best to use a cooking oil with a high smoke point. Olive oil and avocado oil are not suitable for this job as they cannot withstand high heat. Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are good options that can handle the high temperatures required for frying. In this recipe, vegetable oil is recommended by the author.
In this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended because they stay juicy and moist even when cooked longer to achieve a crispy exterior. However, if you prefer or only have chicken breasts available, you can certainly use them instead. Just be mindful that chicken breasts may require less cooking time due to their smaller size compared to thighs.
What is the correct oil to use?
The correct oil to use for frying these crispy chicken sandwiches is a cooking oil with a high smoke point. It is not recommended to use olive oil or avocado oil, as they do not hold up well to the high heat required for frying. Instead, vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are good options. Vegetable oil is personally preferred by the author of the recipe. Make sure to heat the oil to and maintain a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the perfect fry. It is important to test the temperature of the oil before adding the chicken and throughout the frying process to ensure it stays at the correct temperature.
In conclusion, the chicken thigh sandwich offers a flavorful and juicy alternative to traditional chicken sandwiches. Its tender and succulent meat, combined with a variety of delicious toppings, creates a satisfying and mouthwatering experience. Whether you prefer it grilled, fried, or seasoned with herbs and spices, this sandwich is sure to please any chicken lover’s palate.
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