Spicy Fried Chicken

A fried chicken sandwich is one of my biggest weaknesses. Spending way too much money on eating fried chicken sandwiches at restaurants is also one of my biggest weaknesses, so I decided to try making it at home!

So we’re kind of going for a Nashville style hot chicken vibe here with the sauce. You could skip it if you want, but I highly recommend you try it! You can either drizzle some sauce over your chicken, or go all in and dunk the whole thing in the sauce, and then serve.

The key to this is marinating it in pickle juice. Don’t skip that either- even if you’re a pickle hater. Make sure to set aside a little extra time to marinate! Thirty minutes will do the trick but when it comes to marinades, the longer the better. The addition of cornstarch in the breading makes the chicken fry up extra crispy, and double dredging it gives it a thicc coat that will be so satisfying to bite into.

The best way to enjoy this is definitely with some classic butter bread and pickles on top, and a side of homemade fries. Or maybe some mac and cheese. Or both.

Spicy Fried Chicken

• 2 chicken breasts (halved to make a thin cutlet)
• 1/4 cup pickle juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• canola oil (for frying)

Breading

• 2 cups flour
• 4 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Sauce

• 1/2 cup used frying oil (oil used to fry chicken, after you're done)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1-4 tbsp cayenne pepper (according to spice preference)

1. Marinate the chicken in the pickle juice and water, for at least 30 minutes

2. Heat up about 2-4 cups of the oil in a large pot

3. Mix breading ingredients together: flour, corn starch, powdered sugar, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and baking powder

4. In another bowl, mix the milk and egg

5. Coat the chicken, first in the egg, then the flour, and then repeat. Double coat!

6. Fry it: Bring oil to 350°. Place the chicken in the oil, frying for 4-5 minutes on each side and then transfer to a plate with paper towels to soak up excess oil

7.  Pour out about ½ cup of the used oil into a bowl, then mix in your spices: brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne

8. Place chicken on top of butter bread, brioche bun, or any bread of your choice, drizzle with sauce, and enjoy!

Main Course

chicken, fried chicken, spicy, spicy chicken