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Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

This Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich is juicy and delicious! Chicken thighs are soaked in homemade buttermilk, then coated in seasoned flour, fried until crispy and simply topped with lettuce, dill pickle slices and mayo.

These are the best fried chicken sandwiches ever and make a great lunch, dinner, or impressive date night meal for two.

Can you make fried chicken without buttermilk?

Buttermilk is a popular ingredient when making Southern-style fried chicken. The slightly acidic buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down some of the proteins in the meat. If you don't have buttermilk on hand you can make a homemade version, use milk and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup of milk. This is a great substitute for buttermilk and it's the method we use for this recipe.

a graphic of Easy Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwiches Recipe for Two
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

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How to make Buttermilk Chicken Sandwiches

For the chicken and homemade buttermilk

Mix together the milk and vinegar. This makes homemade buttermilk.

In a large plastic bag, combine the chicken thighs and buttermilk. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

boneless chicken thighs marinating in buttermilk

Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.

flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a bowl

Add the cooking oil to an electric skillet until it’s about 1 inch deep and pre-heat to 350 degrees F. Click for an electric skillet.

Let some of the buttermilk drip off of the chicken and then coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure it is very well coated on both sides.

chicken thigh getting coated in flour and seasoning mixture

Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil and cook for about 3 - 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.

breaded chicken thigh frying in oil

Remove the chicken to a wire rack to drain. Click for a wire rack.

To assemble the Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Layer the buns or sandwich rolls with lettuce, fried chicken, sliced dill pickles, and mayo. Serve warm.

Two Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwiches with a side of chips
Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich

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Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

This Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich is juicy and delicious! Chicken thighs are soaked in homemade buttermilk, then coated in seasoned flour, fried until crispy and simply topped with lettuce, dill pickle slices and mayo.
4.65 from 28 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Chicken-Poultry
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 409 kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoon vinegar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking oil, for frying

To serve:

  • 2 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
  • Lettuce (leaf or shredded)
  • Sliced dill pickles
  • Mayonnaise

Instructions
 

For the chicken:

  • Mix together the milk and vinegar. This makes homemade buttermilk.
  • In a large plastic bag, combine the chicken thighs and buttermilk. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.
  • Add the cooking oil to an electric skillet until it’s about 1 inch deep and pre-heat to 350 degrees F.
  • Let some of the buttermilk drip off of the chicken and then coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure it is very well coated on both sides.
  • Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil and cook for about 3 - 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken to a wire rack to drain.

To serve:

  • Layer the buns or sandwich rolls with the lettuce, fried chicken, sliced dill pickles, and mayo. Serve warm.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 31gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 2663mgPotassium: 471mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 303IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 4mg
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Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

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a crispy fried chicken sandwich with pickles and lettuce.
Easy Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwiches Recipe for Two
4.65 from 28 votes (28 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




JuJu

Friday 1st of January 2021

Didn't have dill pickles so mixed may with dill relish and it made a great sandwich. I also buttered and grilled my brioche buns.

Alex

Tuesday 14th of April 2020

Zona I made these for dinner tonight and they were amazing! Super easy to make and clean up, too. Thank you!

Zona

Wednesday 15th of April 2020

Hi Alex, so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you :)

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Wraps Dinner for Two • Zona Cooks

Monday 23rd of September 2019

[…] They are perfect for lunch or a nice filling dinner for two. If you want to make the chicken homemade, follow the chicken portion of the instructions in this Fried Chicken recipe. […]

Jenna

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

Yum! These fried chicken sandwiches would be perfect for home date night. I could also see taking them on a picnic.

Zona

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

You are so right! We love these for date night and great idea to bring them on a picnic! Thanks Jenna :)