Chicken Sandwich Recipe Like Chick-fil-A

A crispy, hot chicken sandwich has to be on the top of many people’s comfort food list.  We’ve developed a chicken sandwich recipe on the basis of Chick-fil-A’s ingredients.  If you’ve had a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich you are probably a huge fan of their signature recipe.

Not to get hung up on Chick-fil-A, our sandwich is based on theirs but is NOT meant to be a copycat Chick-fil-A recipe.  I’d even say our chicken sandwich recipe beats out any I’ve tried, whether homemade or chef cooked.  Try it, I’d love to hear your feedback.

How To Make Our Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Don’t be alarmed by the amount of ingredients.  You can get this chicken sandwich recipe ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great weeknight meal.

Ideally you want to season the chicken breasts the night before making the sandwich.  This isn’t necessary but this time melds the flavors and makes for a more flavorful fillet. 

Cut the chicken to fit the bun, then use the excess chicken as nuggets instead of as a chicken sandwich.  I cook the chicken nuggets at the same time as the chicken sandwiches.  These chicken nuggets make a great chefs treat as you continue cooking the rest of the chicken sandwich recipe.

Once you have seasoned the chicken, place in a plastic zipper bag, squeeze out as much air as possible and refrigerate.  Remove chicken from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.

You can make the seasoned flour the day before, or even a week before. Just store in a resealable baggie or container on the counter.

How To Fry Our Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Place a cast iron (or other oven proof pan) filled with ½” oil over medium low heat to 350 degrees.  I don’t have an oil thermometer so I use the “bread cube” test to see if my oil is ready.  See below.  Oil may take 10 minutes to heat up and get the proper temperature.

In 2 pie plates add the seasoned flour in one pie plate and the egg wash in the other pie plate near the hot pan, in the order stated above.

Once the oil is hot enough, with tongs dredge the chicken fillets first in the seasoned flour, shake excess flour from the chicken, then dip in egg wash and finally in the seasoned flour again, shake to remove excess flour.  Very carefully place the breaded chicken in the hot oil.  You should see bubbles appearing around the chicken.

If you have two pairs of tongs, use one for the wet ingredients and one for the dry.  This way the tongs won’t get as gunky.

Don’t overcrowd the pan or the oil will reduce in temperature and you’ll end up with soggy (read oily) fried chicken sandwiches.  Fry for about 3 minutes or until a nice golden brown, flip and finish cooking on the other side for about 3 minutes more. 

When you think the chicken sandwich is ready, remove from the hot oil onto a paper towel lined plate.  Cut into the thickest part of the chicken to make sure it’s cooked all the way through.  Adjust your oil if the chicken in not cooked through and replace chicken (if undercooked) back in hotter oil or just microwave for a minute.

While you are frying the chicken sandwich recipe, heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat.  Brush buns with oil or butter and place face down in the dry skillet.  You only want to lightly brown the bun.  Remove to a plate and cover with foil to retain the heat.

Assembling Our Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Place 2 dill pickle chips on the bottom bun, top with the fresh, hot chicken sandwich and finally with the top bun.

You can also add a sauce if you like.  We use a honey BBQ sauce recipe that tastes similar to Chick-fil-A Sauce.  Can you tell my family is obsessed with Chick-fil-A?

Substitutes For Our Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted. They are a little smaller than breast so you may not have to trim the thighs.

Peanut Oil – use canola oil, you’ll lose a slight flavor enhancement from the peanut oil but it’s negligible.

MSG – just leave it out.  MSG is a naturally occurring substance that you’ll find in a lot of Chinese take out food.  It enhances the flavor of food and I used it because the Chick-fil-A ingredient list included it.  Some people say MSG gives them headaches, I really don’t know the science behind it and MSG doesn’t bother me or my family so I’ve opted to keep the ingredient in my chicken sandwich recipe.  Accent is a brand that is pure MSG, you’ll find it in the spice aisle.

Butter – I like the flavor butter adds to the buns when you brown them, but feel free to brush with canola oil or even leave the buns plain.

Sauce – Instead of our honey BBQ sauce you can use plain BBQ sauce, honey, mayonnaise, any condiment that you like with fried chicken.  The options really are endless!

Pickle chips – skip them if you have a diner that doesn’t care for pickles.  Or add roasted red peppers or pepperoncini’s for the more adventurous of your crew.

Or top our chicken sandwich recipe with lettuce and tomato or coleslaw.  Yep, pile the coleslaw right on top of the chicken sandwich.

Make Ahead and Time Saving Tips For Our Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Ideally you want to season the chicken breasts the night before.  But if you don’t have time you can season the chicken just before you fry it.

You can make the seasoned flour the night before as well.

How To Make Our Chicken Sandwich Recipe On-The-Go

Well, sandwiches are already pretty easy to take on the go.  I use these foil bags which keeps the sandwich hot and steams the bun.

If you will be eating the sandwich on the run think about how much sauce you are going to add as it might drop on your clothes.

The Bread Cube Method To Test If Your Oil Is Hot Enough

Add a 1” bread cube to the hot oil, you should see a few bubbles around the bread cube.  If it browns nicely in 1 minute then the oil is ready.  If not, adjust the heat accordingly.