This post may contain Affiliate Links. Please see my Disclaimer for more details.
This Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich is not your usual sandwich. It’s seasoned with lemon pepper, tossed in a homemade buffalo sauce, and garnished with kale slaw.
Here are some delicious cocktails and drinks to wash your sandwich down: Hurricane Drink, Rum Punch, Blueberry Vodka Lemonade, Southern Sweet Tea, and Strawberry Ginger Lemonade.
Latest Recipe Video:
Jump to:
I remember waiting in line for Popeye’s fried chicken sandwich after the hype died down. I thought it was a good chicken sandwich, but I don’t know about all the hype.
I love a great chicken sandwich; it doesn’t matter if the chicken is sliced, braised, fried, baked, or rotisserie chicken. If it has the goods, I’m all in.
What do I mean by the goods? Texture, flavor, and sauces are the main qualities I enjoy.
Check out my Big Easy Chicken Sandwich for one with all the above.
My buffalo chicken sandwich combines crunchy, tender, spicy, lemony, and saucy. Perfect for family gatherings or game-day food. It combines my two favorite wing flavors, creating a party in your mouth. And possibly the best-fried chicken sandwich you’ll ever have.
You can easily make these into sliders to feed your crew during tailgating, parties or for a flavorful appetizer.
Key Ingredients
To make this delicious fried chicken sandwich, you will need the following ingredients:
Lemon Pepper
Not all lemon pepper seasoning is made equal. My go-to lemon pepper seasoning comes from Penzeys. It’s made with lemon peel, black pepper, citric acid, garlic, and minced green onions. Kinder's has a pretty good one too.
Hot Sauce
Which hot sauce you use depends on what flavor you like: vinegar, tabasco, spicy, mild, or a balance of a combination of all the above. It will be the base of your buffalo sauce.
Melted Butter
Melted butter helps create the emulsification needed to make a buffalo sauce with the right texture and thickness.
Chicken Thighs
I prefer boneless skinless chicken thighs because they have more flavor than chicken breasts. You can use chicken breasts if you don't like dark meat.
Kale Slaw
You can use any slaw base you like, but I love the added health benefits of kale.
How To Make Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Recipe
A fantastic homemade fried chicken sandwich may seem complicated, but you only need the proper techniques and hot grease to make a sandwich that rivals the big chain restaurants.
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Fill a large skillet halfway with oil, and heat oil over medium heat to 365°F/185°C. In a small bowl, combine lemon pepper seasoning and Italian seasoning. Season chicken thighs evenly on both sides with 1 tablespoon of seasoning blend.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs and hot sauce until smooth. Combine flour, cornstarch, and remaining seasoning blend in a large bowl. Dip one chicken thigh in egg mixture, then evenly coat in flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Fry chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes on each side. Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/73°C or juices run clear.
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
While the chicken is frying, make the Buffalo sauce. In a large bowl, add the hot sauce and slowly drizzle in hot melted butter while you whisk. The sauce should coat a spoon.
Kale Slaw
Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until smooth in a large bowl. Fold in slaw mix, and set in the fridge until you build your sandwich.
Brush melted butter on brioche buns and toast. Once the chicken is finished frying, place chicken into the buffalo sauce and toss until fully coated.
Assemble the sandwich's bun bottom, pickles, slaw, chicken, a spoonful of Buffalo sauce, and top bun. Serve immediately and enjoy hot!
How To Store Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
If you want to make this dish in advance, you can easily store it in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to eat. Before storing hot foods, you should always let them cool down to room temperature and store them in an airtight container.
You can keep your leftover buffalo chicken in the fridge for 7 days. If you save it for later, dip the chicken in the sauce after reheating it for maximum flavor. To reheat your fried chicken breast or thighs, bake the chicken in a 350°F/176°C oven for 8-10 minutes.
You can make the buffalo sauce 3 days in advance. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat the buffalo sauce in a small saucepot over medium heat until it simmers, about 3-5 minutes. Do not boil the sauce. Boiling will break the emulsification.
You can make the kale slaw a few hours before needed. Keep in an airtight container for 3 days.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks:
Here are some of my top substitutions, tips, and tricks to help you make this the best buffalo chicken sandwich:
- Squeezing the chicken in the flour dredge slightly helps create the crunchy bites we all love.
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a toothpick to confirm when the oil is hot. Tiny bubbles will surround the wood once it’s 350°F/176°C or hotter.
- Peanut oil is best for frying because of its neutral flavor and the excellent color it gives to chicken. However, using canola or vegetable oil will work.
- Always remember hot oil and cold chicken equals crispy chicken. That’s the most straightforward secret for crispy fried chicken.
- If you’re not a fan of chicken thighs, you can use chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts for a great fried chicken breast.
- If you choose chicken breast, I strongly recommend you pound them out until flat. Flattening will help the fried chicken breast cook evenly and be crispy.
- If you have a gluten allergy. You can use gluten-free flour for your flour mixture. Plus, cornstarch is gluten-free too. Also, use your favorite gluten-free burger buns.
- To make your kale slaw healthier, use 0% Greek yogurt to swap for the mayonnaise. You can also use sour cream as a swap for the mayonnaise.
- Feel free to use shredded iceberg lettuce and sliced tomato instead of the kale slaw.
- You can serve your buffalo chicken sandwiches with some blue cheese dressing or blue cheese crumbles, or a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Here's my ranch recipe that takes only 10 minutes to whip up.
- For a spicy buffalo sauce, add 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapenos or serrano peppers to the sauce.
- Try these homemade buffalo sauces to give your chicken sandwich more flavor. Hot Honey Sauce, Honey Sriracha Sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about making fried chicken sandwiches at home:
What does cornstarch do for fried chicken?
Adding cornstarch to your flour dredge will make your fried chicken crispier and crunchier!
The cornstarch acts as a wall against flour gluten. This helps your chicken absorb less moisture and makes your chicken golden brown, crunchy, and crispy.
How to Make the Fried Chicken Sandwich Healthier?
Making this buffalo chicken sandwich healthier is simple. If you have an air fryer, omit the oil for frying. Spray the air-fryer basket with cooking spray, add dredge chicken skin side down, spray with cooking spray, and air-fry at 400°F/ 204°C for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
If you do not have an air-fryer, you can follow the same steps by baking the chicken in a 425°F/218°C oven for 16-20 minutes. Having a wire rack to bake the chicken on will help the air circulate the chicken and make it even crispier. If you have a convention mode on your oven, use it and reduce the temperature to 400°F/ 204°C.
How to make buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches?
Traditionally, Southerners make buttermilk fried chicken. Using buttermilk does wonders for fried chicken. It adds a lovely tang flavor and tenderizes the chicken.
I didn’t want to create another buttermilk chicken sandwich. That’s why I only used eggs and hot sauce. To make this a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, swap out the eggs for 1 ½ cup buttermilk.
What kind of cheese goes well with buffalo chicken?
The go-to cheese for buffalo chicken is blue cheese. However, if you don't like the strong flavor of blue cheese, try using cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella cheese.
More Chicken Dinner Ideas
If your mouth is watering after reading this blog, I want you to also add these amazing chicken dishes to your dinner list.
- Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese
- Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Grilled Chicken with Crown Royal Glaze
- Greek Chicken Burgers
- Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
- Fried Chicken and Waffles
Before You Begin
Before getting started, here are the steps I use to get organized.
Step 1: Get all ingredients for the fried buffalo chicken sandwich on the counter.
Step 2: Put everything measured into individual bowls.
Step 3: Start following the recipe and get ready for the crispiest, moistest buffalo chicken sandwich you’ve ever made at home!
I hope you found this blog post to be helpful. Please leave a comment below and a 5-stars rating with your experience of making this delicious fried chicken sandwich. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, too - I love seeing those pictures!
Click here to subscribe to MY Weekly Recipes for easy and free recipes right into your inbox!
To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the Pin button on the recipe card, the sharing buttons above or below this post, or any of the photos above.
Tag me @kennethtemple_ and use #LezEat on Instagram to share your remakes with me, and don't forget to leave a star rating and comment below.
📖 Recipe
Fried Chicken Buffalo Sandwich with Kale Slaw
Ingredients
Lemon Pepper Chicken:
- Canola oil for frying
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 4 brioche buns
- 12 dill pickles chips
Buffalo Sauce:
- 6 oz. hot sauce
- 1 stick hot melted unsalted butter
Kale Slaw:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 oz. kale slaw mix
Instructions
Lemon Pepper Chicken:
- Fill a large skillet halfway with oil, heat oil over medium heat to 365°F. In a small bowl, combine lemon pepper seasoning and Italian seasoning. Season chicken thighs evenly on both sides with 1 tablespoon lemon pepper.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs and hot sauce until smooth. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and remaining lemon pepper seasoning. Dip one chicken thigh in egg mixture, then evenly coat in flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Fry chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes on each side. Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or juices run clear.
Buffalo Sauce:
- While thighs fry, make the Buffalo sauce. In a large bowl, add the hot sauce, slowly drizzle in hot melted butter while you whisk. The sauce should be coat a spoon.
Kale Slaw:
- Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until smooth in a large bowl. Fold in slaw mix, set in the fridge until you build your sandwich.
- Brush melted butter on brioche buns and toast. Once the chicken is finished frying, add two thighs to Buffalo sauce and toss until fully coated.
- Assemble sandwich bun bottom, pickles, slaw, chicken, a spoonful of Buffalo sauce, top bun. Enjoy hot with fries, chips or salad!
Video
Notes
- Squeezing the chicken in the flour dredge slightly helps create the crunchy bites we all love.
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a toothpick to confirm when the oil is hot. Tiny bubbles will surround the wood once it’s 350°F/176°C or hotter.
- Peanut oil is best for frying because of its neutral flavor and the excellent color it gives to chicken. However, using canola or vegetable oil will work.
- Always remember hot oil and cold chicken equals crispy chicken. That’s the most straightforward secret for crispy fried chicken.
- If you’re not a fan of chicken thighs, you can use chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts for a great fried chicken breast.
- If you choose chicken breast, I strongly recommend you pound them out until flat. Flattening will help the fried chicken breast cook evenly and be crispy.
- If you have a gluten allergy. You can use gluten-free flour for your flour mixture. Plus, cornstarch is gluten-free too. Also, use your favorite gluten-free burger buns.
- To make your kale slaw healthier, use 0% Greek yogurt to swap for the mayonnaise. You can also use sour cream as a swap for the mayonnaise.
- Feel free to use shredded iceberg lettuce and sliced tomato instead of the kale slaw.
- You can serve your buffalo chicken sandwiches with some blue cheese dressing or blue cheese crumbles, or a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Here's my ranch recipe that takes only 10 minutes to whip up.
- For a spicy buffalo sauce, add 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapenos or serrano peppers to the sauce.
- Try these homemade buffalo sauces to give your chicken sandwich more flavor. Hot Honey Sauce, Honey Sriracha Sauce.
Leave a Reply