What’s in This Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Recipe?
This copycat Wendy’s Asiago chicken sandwich is packed with flavor. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the bacon is nice and crispy. Ranch dressing adds a nice creaminess, and the Asiago cheese rounds things out with a bit of sharpness. Finish it off with lettuce and tomato, which add a bit of freshness.
Chicken: We like boneless, skinless chicken breasts for an authentic taste, but chicken thighs will also work. Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and helps the breading stick. Spices: Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder add so much flavor to the chicken. Flour: All-purpose flour creates a classic light coating for the chicken. Cornstarch: Helps make the coating super crispy. Cheese: Asiago cheese slices are the classic choice for this copycat sandwich. Rolls: Sandwich rolls are our preferred choice, but hamburger buns will work in a pinch. Cooked Bacon: Adds umami flavor and crunch to the sandwich. Tomato: Adds a pop of freshness and acidity. Lettuce: Leafy lettuce adds a pop of color. Ranch Dressing: Adds creaminess and a tangy flavor to the sandwich.
Variations on Wendy’s Asiago Ranch Chicken Club
For a spicy chicken club, add ⅛-¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend, and add a few dashes of hot sauce to the buttermilk and/or ranch dressing. Yum!
How to Store and Reheat
For best results, we recommend storing these chicken sandwiches deconstructed and assembling them just before reheating. Store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet for 15-20 minutes, or until 165°F internally.
How to Freeze
While we don’t recommend freezing these sandwiches, you can freeze the fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow the chicken to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
For the best-tasting sandwich, it’s important to marinate the chicken for a minimum of 2-6 hours, but preferably overnight. To speed things up, prepare and marinate the chicken 1 day in advance.
How to Make an Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Step by Step
Pound the Chicken: Using a sharp knife parallel to your work surface, cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half, creating 4 thin pieces. Place each piece between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to ½-inch thickness. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken in a plastic Ziplock bag. Add 1 cup of buttermilk, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Massage the liquid around the chicken, seal the bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for 2-6 hours, or overnight. Make the Seasoning: When ready to fry, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together 1¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of ground paprika, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Coat the Chicken: Pour the contents of the bag of chicken into a large colander set over the sink, draining the buttermilk from the chicken. Dip the chicken pieces into the flour mixture one at a time, then transfer them to the baking sheet. Dip them a second time, and allow them to rest for 20-30 minutes. Dredge the Chicken: Meanwhile, heat 1-inch of cooking oil in a frying pan or deep Dutch oven to 350°F. Dredge the chicken through the flour mixture a second time before adding them to the hot oil. Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken in batches for 2-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Set them on a cooling rack set over paper towels to drain. Assemble the Sandwiches: Top each piece of chicken with a slice of Asiago cheese, then build your sandwiches on 4 toasted sandwich buns. Layer 2 slices of cooked bacon, 1 leaf of lettuce,2 slices of tomato, and 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing on each sandwich.
More Fried Chicken Recipes We Love
Easy Fried Chicken Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders Hot Honey Fried Chicken Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
