Copycat Popeyes Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with spicy mayo is super crispy, spicy and tastes 1000x BETTER homemade!
If you’ve been craving fried chicken sandwiches we’ve got you covered with this delicious crispy Fried chicken Sandwich. It’s super crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside and loaded with spices. It’s as close as you will get to the famous Popeyes chicken sandwich which is currently sold out everywhere but in my opinion, it’s so much BETTER and surprisingly easy to make at home!
The sandwich comes together in under 30 minutes and can be prepared overnight. The chicken is first marinated in buttermilk (DIY buttermilk below) and spices then battered in a mixture of flour, corn starch, and MORE spices. The spices give the sandwich so much flavor but more importantly, they give it a crispy crust that is out of this world.
To make Popeyes chicken sandwich at home you will need:
- chicken breasts
- buttermilk
- flour
- corn starch
- spices
- brioche buns
To get the perfect size fillet: pound each chicken breast down to about 1/2 inch thickness then cut in half crosswise so you end up with a chicken cutlet about the same size as your buns.
To make 5-minute Buttermilk: Using buttermilk gives the chicken the authentic southern taste and helps the crust develop all those small crinkles that make it extra crispy. If you don’t have buttermilk at home, rest assured making your own buttermilk at home is super easy and done in 5 minutes. Stir 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar in a bowl and let stand for 5 minutes until the milk begins to curdle.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps make the crust super crispy and light as opposed to just battering the chicken with just flour. I highly recommend using it for the best results but If you don’t have cornstarch at home, replace it with more flour and add 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
The Bun: Using brioche buns takes this sandwich to the next level and will replicate the flavor and texture of Popeyes chicken sandwich.
To make spicy mayo sauce:
Combine 1/2 cup of mayo with 1 teaspoon hot sauce, teaspoon paprika or taco seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and whisk. The sauce is delicious in the chicken sandwich and is used to make the spicy version of Popeyes chicken sandwich.
How to Make in Chicken Sandwich the Air Fryer
To make this delicious Popeyes chicken in the air fryer, simply follow the recipe above.
Before frying, spray or brush the chicken with cooking oil and place directly into the air fryer.
Air Fry at 375F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway or until crispy and cooked through.
DIY Popeyes Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
For the chicken marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon EACH paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt
For Breading
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup corn starch
- 1 tablespoon EACH paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (for spicy)
- 1 teaspoon EACH salt & pepper
Spicy mayo
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika, or cajun or taco seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
TO ASSEMBLE
- 4 medium-sized brioche buns
- Mayonnaise
- Sliced pickles
- 3-4 cups canola oil, for frying
Instructions
To Marinate Chicken
- Pound chicken breasts in between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Cut each chicken breast in half crosswise to make 2 small pieces of chicken about the same size as the bun (see video below).
- In a large bowl, buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, salt & black pepper. Add the chicken to the mix and place in the fridge to marinate up to 24 hours or use right away.
To Cook Chicken
- Heat oil in a large heavy-duty skillet or pot on medium temperature or until the temperature reaches 350F.
- In a medium shallow bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, and spices. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of the buttermilk batter into the flour mixture and mix it through with a fork.Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge chicken the flour mixture and press flour on the top chicken to form a thick crust. Transfer chicken to hot oil and fry for 3-5 minutes per side or until the outside is crispy and golden and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
To Assemble
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan and toast buns face down until golden and crisp. Whisk all the ingredients for the mayo in a small bowl and spread a generous layer of mayo on each bun. Top with pickles and chicken. Enjoy hot!
Video
Equipment
TO make it taste like popeye’s chicken you need to add sugar and brown sugar to your flour dredge
this was quite good but the breading fell off. I thought that Would happen but followed the recIpe anyway. i highly suggest blotting off the buttermilk after marinating, then coat with the flour mixture until dry. Then dip in the buttermilk again followed by the fLour again. ThiS will prevent the crust from falling off. Also, i would add more salt to the flour mixture. I did not put the mayo mixTure On the sandwiches becaUse we don’t like mayo. That could’ve added the extra salt iT needed. Still, a good recipe. Thanks!
I haven tried the Popeye sandwicjmh yet, but this,was delicious!! Followed recipe as instructed but used smoked paprika as that was all i had. Will definitely be making this again. It’s a keeper! Thank you
as we say down south, this will make you want to slap yo’ mama! i made this for dinner last night. I screwed up and put creole seasoning in the flour and cornstarch mixture. Oh well. I added more of the creole seasoning and left out the others. otherwise it was followed exactly as written. I had a chicken sandwich last night, a chicken sandwich for lunch today and another for dinner. i’m hoping my husband doesn’t have the last one so it can be lunch tomorrow! This is definitely in my regular rotation.
Do you mix the buttermilk into dry ingredients for each piece of chicken or just once?
Delicious. Better than Popeyes. We also tried them with skinless boneless chicken thighs.
This is an amazing sandwich!
I added pickle juice to the milk to make the quick buttermilk, then added some Cayenne and Rooster sauce to the marinade for a little extra heat.
Fried in peanut oil, served on buttered and grilled brioche.
Wow!
Made last night for dinner, omg! we sliced pickles long ways, so pickle in every bite. I had popeyes on august 14 before they ran out. we don’t have a popeyes within 500 miles. this recipe was amazing. thank you!
Perfect recipe! Delicious!!!
How much oil do you put in the pan? Does it cover the chicken entirely?
You can deep fry it or use just 2-3 inch deep oil. If the oil is not covering the chicken entirely, it’s okay you would just flip it.
For the spicy mayo is it 1 cup of mayo or a half cup? It says 2 different ones haha
It’s 1/2 cup.
Can someone please answer the previously posted question regarding air frying?
Spray the air fryer with oil and cook for 5 minutes on each side at 350F then raise the temp to 400 and cook another 2-3 minutes on each side or until crispy and cooked through. 🙂
OH
MAH
GAH! This recipe is superb. My husband and I made it together. We did no variations–followed the recipe exactly as written. Dare I say it’s better than popeyes. A smidge more spicy, which isn’t a bad thing. My lips thank you–my hips do not. Seriously, if I could give this six stars I would. Bravo!!!
Thanks for the great review, Lucy!! so happy you guys enjoyed it with the extra spice 😉
I made this TONIGHT and it was DELICIOUS. I never Had the infamous popeye’s sandwich, but if it tastes like This Then i caN understand the mania a little bit. 🤔 good recipe definitely a keeper👏🏾Thanks
We’ve had Popeyes and honestly, our chicken is way better than Popeyes!! 😀
Chicken should not be Filled?
Also…would this work for regular chicken pieces…like POPEYE’S breasts, thighs, and drumsticks ( skin on and skin removed–answers for both please!)?
The chicken is not filled. Please refer to the video for how the chicken should be prepared. Yes, this recipe will work with whole chicken pieces (skin on or off) but you would need to adjust the cooking time so the chicken pieces cook thoroughly because they do take longer to cook (about 20 mins in deep oil).
Can you freeze them before frying
Yes! Freeze after breading.
i made this using gluten free flour and i used catfish instead of chicken. My family loved it. Even my picky husband! Seasoned perfectly! didn’t need to add anything!
Make sure to add an egg to the marinade and immediately drop the chicken in the oil after it’s been battered just as layla suggested. My chicken came out crispy and was better than popeyes!
Will this work in an air fryer? Just curious it looks so delicious.
This is my third time doing this recipe. It is amazing! Thank you for sharing!
I used your recipe for my family and they loved it! thank you so much!
Am i missing how much buttermilk to use to marinate the chicken? Im trying to marinate now but cant Find how much to use oF buttermilk or spices..
It’s 1 cup of buttermilk. It is listed right under the chicken. Enjoy! 😉
Doing this now, trusting the comments/process
COOKING THE CHICKEN LIKE THIS WAS THE big CHALLENGE for me and wow, THIS REALLY REALLY WORKS. I only added coleslaw and my own sauce (homemade chipotle) to the sandwich.
Hi, this looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it. what brand of hot sauce do you use/suggest?
There isn’t a lot of hot sauec in the recipe so it shouldn’t matter but I would just go with Frank’s.
Wow… I made this sandwich for dinner tonight and everyone loved it! It tasted a lot like the popeyes version! I used paprika to season but maybe next time I’ll try the cajun as suggested! This was amazing and it was my first time ever frying chicken! I fried the chicken in veggie oil. Thanks for posting this! Might have to make this a staple lol
Thanks so much for the feedback, Jasmine. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😀
I forgot to give 5 stars
I wasn’t able to try the original sandwich WHEN it came out but if it TASTEd anything like this version I’m not missing a thing! everything came out perfect and the only thing I was missing was the pickles but so what. one sandwich down two more to go LOL
Thank you for the recipe.. I was looking for it but got it from Reddit. Going to try it tonight.
Why wait for the SANDWICH to come back. This recipe is dead on to theirs. Thank you for posting. I was lucky enough to score their sandwich before the drought. DEFINITELY get one when its back and youll know for sure this recipe is a ringer.
Thanks for the 5-star review! so glad to get feedback from someone that has tried the chicken sandwich and still enjoys my version! 😀
You can add devil spit PICKLES from famous DAVE’S for more heat so so good.
Great recipe.
Thanks for the feedback and 5-star review! 🙂
Flavor profile was on point but most of my crunchy delicious coating came off in the fryer 🙁
Was the oil hot before adding the chicken? If it’s not the breading will fall off. Also, the chicken should not be flipped until it’s starting to get crispy so the breading doesn’t fall off.
I never write reviews, especially if i have to sign up to Do so hoWever i had to sign up to CommEnt On this recipe… this recipe is on point!!! Taste exactly like popeyes…i bought my brioche buns from mariAno’s
I never write reviews, especially if inhave to sign up to Do so hoWever i had to sign up to CommEnt On this recipe… this recipe is on point!!! Taste exactly like popeyes…i bought my brioche buns from mariAno’s
Yass it’s so good right! 😀
Fantastic! Soooo good and will definitely make again!
Enjoy! 🙂
I tried this but the coating burnt way before the chicken even had a chance to cook! Any suggestions?
turn the temp down oil was to Hot
Was good! I let it marinade overnight in the buttermilk/spice mixture and only used one breast cut into 2 pieces. Made the entire recipe As is but probably Could have halved the Breading. Was hoping it was a little spicier, will probably add more hot sauce to the mayo. Have a pic, wiSh i could share here! Thank you for the recipe!
Glad you enjoyed it! We didn’t want to add too much hot sauce because the sauce is spicy as well but adding more hot sauce will be delicious! unfortunately, we do not have a way to upload images directly to the website but you can tag @gimmedelicious on Instagram anytime you make a recipe or email it to me at [email protected] and I will be sure to share it with my readers on Instagram!!
Should i do the typical Flour, marinade,flour dip then let the chicken rest for tWenty minutes Before frying it?? Or follow the recipe video? When i printed out the recipe, it doesn’t say anything about putting a little bit of marinade juice in my flour mixture.
Take the chicken out of the buttermilk marinade and dip into the flour mixture and STRAIGHT into the fryer. We found this method works best for a light and crispy batter! For the batter juice, I’ve added it to the recipe box. It’s an optional step but helps give the chicken extra texture and crunch!
tHIS IS BOMB AF
what kind of pickles?
Dill Chips or bread and butter work great!
Looks amazing.
Yours sound so much better than popeyes haven’t had one too much drama. Not worth the hype.
Thanks so much, Karla1 I’m sure you will love it <3
It is def worth the hupe