This delicious Spicy Chicken Sandwich is way better than anything from any fast-food restaurant! It’s super crispy on the outside, yet so juicy and tender for delicious flavor in every bite. Made in the comfort of your own home, you can satisfy your craving for perfectly crispy, spiced sandwiches anytime!

If you’re a fan of spicy chicken sandwiches then you will love this homemade version. A few years ago I shared my Popeye’s chicken sandwich recipe and it broke the internet and was even featured don’t the Dr.oz show. Today, I’m going to show you how to make the BEST homemade spicy chicken sandwich. This recipe is everything you would want from a spicy chicken sandwich and MORE. Pair it with my spicy mayo and enjoy this chicken sandwich any time of the Week!

Spicy Chicken Sandwiches are tenderized in a spiced buttermilk marinade and breaded in a flour cornstarch spice mixture for extra crunchy crispiness and plenty of spicy flavor. Once the chicken is fried, the patties are assembled on buttery, toasted brioche buns and topped with spicy mayo, plus any other favorite toppings. These are easier than you’d think to make and always a hit!

Why you should make this recipe

It’s super easy! Putting this recipe together is very simple. Prep and make the marinade, give the chicken a little time to soak in the delicious flavor, then dredge in the flour mixture and fry. You’ll have these on the dinner table with very little effort!
Better than takeout! Skip the drive-through, this homemade spicy chicken sandwich is so much tastier than McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A or Popeyes! Plus, it’s more affordable to make at home.
Customizable: You can choose the heat level! Make these less spicy by using less hot sauce and cayenne pepper, or kick up the heat by using more. Then, add whatever sauce and toppings you like.

Ingredients needed

The ingredients needed for this spicy chicken sandwich recipe are simple and ones you may already have on hand. Here’s the lineup:

Chicken: This recipe uses 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, if you prefer.
Buttermilk marinade: To tenderize the chicken, we’re marinating it in a mixture of buttermilk, egg, hot sauce or sriracha sauce and spices.
For the breading: For extra crispy chicken, you will need all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
Oil: Use any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point for frying.
Buns: Soft, buttery brioche buns toasted with butter are highly recommended!
Extras: Top your spicy chicken sandwich with all your favs! Some tasty options are sliced lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato and spicy mayo. You could even add a slice of cheese, if you’d like!

How to make this recipe

Prep the chicken: Cut chicken in half lengthwise (making it thinner). If the chicken is still thick after cutting it in half, pound it down to even thickness using a meat hammer. You want to end up with 4 even about 1/2’’ fillets.

Marinate: In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, and spices. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least an hour or overnight.

Dredge: In a large shallow bow, whisk the flour, cornstarch, and remaining spices. One by one, remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and dip into the flour mixture. Be sure to cover both sides well and squeeze the chicken while pressing the flour mixture on top of the chicken firmly to create lots of “flaky” parts.

Fry: Heat about 2 inches of canola oil in a large pot or skillet to about 350F. Add the breaded chicken and fry for about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. The internal temp of the chicken should reach 165F. Remove from oil onto a dry paper towel to drain. While the chicken is draining, quickly whisk the ingredients for the spicy mayo in a small bowl.

Assemble: Brush the insides of the brioche buns with butter and toast in a hot pan until crispy and golden. Add the chicken fillets onto the buns and top with your favorite topping. Add about 1 tablespoon of spicy mayo (or regular mayo) to the top bun. Enjoy!

Expert tips

Cut the chicken in half: If the chicken is still thick after cutting it in half, pound it down to even thickness using a meat hammer. You want to end up with 4 even about 1/2’’ fillets.
Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1.5 cups milk with 1.5 tablespoons white vinegar.
Marinating time: We recommend marinating the chicken in the buttermilk marinade for at least 1 hour. You can even marinate longer than 1 hour or overnight. This is what really tenderizes and flavors the meat, so it’s perfectly moist and tender.
Don’t overcrowd: Be sure not to add too many chicken fillets in the hot oil at one time. This can cause the temperature of the oil to drop. If this happens, the chicken will absorb too much oil and not get as crispy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this spicy chicken sandwich with chicken thighs?

Yes, this would be great made with boneless skinless chicken thighs. Just be sure to cut them or pound them to even thickness, so they all cook at the same rate.

How can I make this chicken sandwich gluten free?

This recipe is really easy to make gluten free, simply use an all-purpose gluten-free flour and serve on a gluten-free bun.

How do you know when chicken is cooked?

To know precisely that the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure the temperature of the center of each chicken breast is about 165˚F, or slightly less, because as it rests it will continue to cook.

Serving suggestions

Spicy chicken sandwiches are great on their own and also go well with a variety of sides. We like to pair them with French fries, potato wedges, tater tots, coleslaw, or macaroni and cheese. Add some air fryer Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, or crispy zucchini chips to round out the meal.

Storage recommendations

Store any leftover chicken patties in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to about 3 days. Reheat in a pan on the stove, in the oven, or in an air fryer until warm and crispy. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the outside breading soggy.

More chicken sandwich recipes

A good chicken sandwich is hard to beat! They taste great, are relatively inexpensive to make and they’re easy to customize. Here are some of our other favorites to try next:

Spicy Chicken Sandwich