Description
This Homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich recipe recreates the classic fast-food favorite with juicy, tender chicken breasts marinated in pickle juice, coated in a flavorful seasoned flour mixture, and fried to golden perfection. The sandwich is served on lightly toasted, buttered buns with crisp dill pickle slices, delivering a perfect balance of savory, crispy, and tangy flavors right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
Breading and Coating
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Frying and Assembly
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 inch deep)
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Dill pickle slices, for serving
Instructions
- Pound and Cut Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness and cut each breast in half to create four sandwich-sized pieces.
- Marinate: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or resealable bag with 1 cup of dill pickle juice. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare Wet and Dry Mixtures: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and ½ cup milk. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Coat Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Dip each piece into the egg and milk mixture, then dredge in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly.
- Heat Oil and Fry: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken in batches, cooking each side for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Drain: Transfer the fried chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Toast Buns: Brush the insides of the hamburger buns with melted butter and lightly toast them in a skillet or under a broiler until golden.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place each piece of fried chicken on the toasted bun, top with dill pickle slices, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Add lettuce, tomato, or your favorite sauce such as mayo or mustard for variation.
- For a spicy version, double the cayenne pepper in the flour mixture and add hot sauce to the egg and milk mixture.
