2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (juicier) or breasts (classic)
1 cup buttermilk (≈ 240 ml)
1 tsp hot sauce (optional but recommended)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Coating
1 cup all-purpose flour (≈ 120 g)
½ cup cornstarch (≈ 60 g — makes it shatter-crisp)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne (optional)
Mise En Place:
Assembling
2 brioche buns (soft, slightly sweet)
Butter (for toasting buns, ~1 tbsp)
4 slices dill pickle (or more, no one’s judging)
Mayo or spicy aioli (~2 tbsp per sandwich)
Lettuce leaf or shredded slaw (optional, adds crunch balance)
Prep Checklist
Whisk buttermilk, hot sauce, and spices together → marinate chicken for at least 1 hour (overnight is peak flavor).
Mix dredge (flour + cornstarch + spices).
Heat oil in pot to ~170–175°C.
Slice pickles, ready buns, and prep mayo/aioli.
Have draining station ready (rack over tray, paper towels optional but not ideal — rack keeps crispy).
Cooking Steps:
Marinate (1–24 hours): Combine buttermilk, hot sauce, and spices in a bowl. Submerge chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (longer for juicier, more flavorful results).
Heat oil (10 minutes): Fill a pot with oil, about 5–6 cm deep, and heat to 170–175°C (340–350°F) using a thermometer for accuracy.
Dredge (5 minutes): Mix flour, cornstarch, and spices in a bowl. Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip, and coat in dredge. For extra crunch, dip back into buttermilk quickly, then dredge again. Place coated chicken on a tray for 5 minutes before frying to help the crust stick.
Fry (12–14 minutes): Carefully lower chicken into hot oil, one piece at a time, avoiding overcrowding. Fry 5–6 minutes per side until deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). Transfer to a rack to drain and sprinkle with a pinch of salt immediately.
Toast buns & assemble (3 minutes): Butter brioche bun halves and toast in a skillet until golden. Spread mayo or spicy aioli on both halves. Assemble: bottom bun, pickles, fried chicken, optional lettuce/slaw, top bun. Press gently.
Rating
Le Chef Tip
Not a Chef but... Just call him Chef, please!
This sandwich is not diet food. It is crispy, messy, indulgent, and a little dangerous (both for oil splatters and nap schedules). But make it once and you’ll realize — you never needed fast food, you just needed a thermometer and a frying pot.