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Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Crispy and juicy Fried Chicken Sandwiches that combine the best of your favorite fast food tastes.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Brining Time 4 hours
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 sandwiches
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot or Dutch oven
  • meat mallet or rolling pin
  • medium bowls
  • resealable freezer bag
  • baking sheet
  • aluminum foil
  • Whisk
  • paper towels

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 3 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1⅓ pounds
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 4 to 6 cups vegetable or peanut oil for frying
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Accent flavor enhancer see note
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

For the Sauce

  • ½ cup best-quality mayonnaise such as Hellmann's or Duke's
  • 3 tablespoons store-bought barbecue sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

For the Sandwiches

  • 6 pieces hamburger buns
  • Bread-and-butter pickles

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • One at a time, place the chicken breasts in a resealable freezer bag; using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound them to an even ¼-inch thickness. Cut each pounded breast in half. (If the pieces seem too large to fit in a bun, trim off the pointy ends; you can cook those as chicken nuggets at the same time you're cooking the breasts.)
  • Pour the cold water into a medium bowl; add the 2 tablespoons of the salt and the sugar and whisk until dissolved. Place the chicken breasts in the brine, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight (the longer you brine, the saltier the chicken will be).
  • Line a plate with a few layers of paper towels and set it next to the stove. Pour the oil into a large, high-sided pot or Dutch oven until it reaches a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F). (If the end of a wooden spoon or cube of bread sizzles vigorously when you dip it in, the oil is hot enough.)
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg and milk until evenly combined.
  • In another medium bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, pepper, Accent, paprika, and the remaining ¾ teaspoon salt. Drizzle 4 tablespoons of the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix with a fork until the flour mixture is evenly clumpy.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. One at a time, dip each breast into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, and then into the flour mixture, turning a few times and pressing firmly so that the clumps adhere. Set the breaded chicken on the lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining breasts.
  • Carefully place a few pieces of breaded chicken into the hot oil without crowding the pot. Cook, turning a few times, until golden brown and crispy on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes total. Place the cooked chicken on the paper towel-lined plate to drain. Fry the remaining breasts in the same manner, adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain the temperature of the oil.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and mustard.
  • Spread some of the sauce on each top and bottom bun. Top each bottom bun with a piece of crispy chicken and a few pickles. Close the sandwiches and serve immediately.

Notes

Accent is an MSG flavor enhancer that enhances the savory, umami flavors of foods. You can find it in the spice section of the supermarket. Nutritional information was calculated assuming that approximately ¼ cup of the oil is absorbed into the chicken tenders when frying. The sauce can be made 3 days ahead and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1200mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 300IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Brined Chicken, Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food, Fast Food, Fried Chicken Sandwiches, sandwich
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