Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipes

Steps:

• For the marinade/batter: Use kitchen scissors to cut 6 to 7 small horizontal slivers, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep, into each chicken breast, to give them potential for crispies when fried. Set aside.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, paprika, a nice pinch of salt and plenty of grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Add to a resealable bag or large bowl along with the chicken and soak for 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. Bring the chicken to room temperature before frying.
• Heat several inches of oil in a pot or deep-fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry (reserving the marinade), then set aside. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch and baking powder in a large bowl. Slowly add the marinade liquid while whisking to form a pancake batter consistency. (If you go too far, just add more flour or about 2 tablespoons of water, depending on the texture.) Dust the chicken with some flour, then dunk in the batter to coat. Dust the chicken again with flour, then shake gently and slowly drop into the hot oil. Fry in batches until cooked through and golden on the outside, about 8 minutes. Remove and season with a pinch of salt and rest briefly on a few scrunched paper towels on a plate.
• For the sandwich: Butter both sides of each bun. Toast lightly in a grill pan or in the oven until lightly golden brown and warm, about 2 minutes.
• Stir together the mayonnaise and chipotle in a small bowl. Smear on the cut sides of the bun bottoms, then add the chicken, pickles and the bun tops. Wrap in aluminum foil pouches and let rest for less than 1 minute, then serve.

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to an even thickness. Cut each breast in half and place in a bowl. Pour pickle brine on top and let sit for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, paprika, pepper, celery salt, and basil in a bowl.
• Whisk eggs and milk together in another bowl.
• Drain liquid from the chicken and rinse off briefly. Shake any excess liquid from chicken.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, then into the egg-milk mixture, then coat again with the flour. Dip each piece again, if desired.
• Deep-fry chicken, 3 pieces at a time, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Let chicken rest on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet for 5 minutes. While chicken is resting, lightly butter each sandwich bun and toast them in a skillet.
• Add 2 pickle slices to the bottom of each bun, then a chicken piece, then top with the other bun. Repeat to make remaining sandwiches.

Steps:

• Whisk buttermilk, salt, hot sauce, and ranch dressing mix together in a large bowl. Cut diagonal slits into the thick ends of chicken breasts and toss into marinade until well coated. Transfer to the refrigerator to marinate for 2 to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the breading: Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, cayenne, and ranch dressing mix together in a shallow dish.
• Make the wash: Whisk egg, buttermilk, and milk together in another bowl until combined.
• Use a fork to pull chicken from marinade, letting any excess drip off. Dip into the breading to coat both sides; shake off any excess. Dip into egg wash mixture to saturate surface; return to breading to coat, shake off excess, and repeat once more. Let sit on a wire rack to dry, at least 15 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to between 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Fry chicken breasts in the hot oil until golden, crispy, and no longer pink in the centers, 4 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a plate topped with crinkled up aluminum foil to prevent bottoms from getting soggy.
• Spread mayonnaise over hamburger bun halves. Stuff with pickles and chicken.