What’s in Popeyes Chicken Sandwiches
Fast food is “fast” for a reason — it’s missing the TLC needed to turn a basic item into a delicious masterpiece. So we decided to make a homemade version of Popeye’s chicken sandwich that is ridiculously easy, and might be even better than the original!
Chicken: I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but thighs also work. Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and adds great flavor. Hot Sauce: Adds a kick of heat to the chicken and spicy mayo. Spices: Ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and kosher salt season the chicken. The addition of cayenne pepper in the breading gives this chicken a spicy kick! All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the crunchy chicken breading. Cornstarch: Helps make the breading shatteringly crisp. Mayonnaise: The perfect creamy sauce to slather on these sandwiches. Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to the spicy mayo. Vegetable Oil: The perfect high smoke point neutral oil for frying. Plus, butter, brioche buns, and dill pickles!
Pro Tip: If you don’t have cornstarch at home, replace it with more flour and add 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
Variations on Popeyes Spicy Chicken Sandwich
For a less spicy sandwich, omit the cayenne. For a spicier sandwich, double it! You can also use plain mayo instead of the spicy mayo for a less spicy sandwich, or try it with Chick Fil A Sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch. Try adding iceberg lettuce or cabbage coleslaw for some crunch or a slice of American cheese to the chicken for cheesy chicken sandwiches. For even more savory flavor, add a few strips of cooked bacon!
How to Make Ahead
You can marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator in preparation for this recipe. You can also mix the breading ingredients together and store them in a Ziplock bag at room temperature overnight. Feel free to mix together the spicy mayonnaise and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Popeyes chicken sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, until hot.
How to Freeze
I do not recommend freezing Popeyes chicken sandwiches. Instead, you can freeze the fried chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F for 7-8 minutes, until hot. Once hot, assemble the sandwiches.
More Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipes We Love
Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Copycat Chick Fil A Sandwich Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Beer Battered Chicken Sandwich Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Note: This recipe is one of those few exceptions on our site that has more than 10 ingredients. We try to keep things VERY easy around here, and limiting ingredients and time spent is one of our favorite ways. That being said, this recipe is too delicious to leave out of our recipe box! It’s an exception that is so flavorful and worth the extra ingredients if you have the time and resources to make it.
