DIY Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

The battle of the fried chicken sandwich yielded some wonderful copycat recipes like this Popeye's copycat!

This was meant to be posted last year but was from 2020 - it's always weird to see pictures from the old house. I personally loved the era of crispy fried chicken sandwich battles and I never got around to trying them all. I am, however, very partial to Popeye's fried chicken and so this copycat will have to do until we get around to having the real thing. We, of course, all really enjoyed it!

What you need:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
  

For the Breading:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
  

For the Spicy Mayo:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. hot sauce
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. garlic
  

For Assembly:

• 4 medium brioche buns
• Butter
  
• Sliced pickles
• 3 to 4 cups canola oil for frying
  

Directions: 

1. For marinating chicken: Pound each chicken breast to make thinner. Cut each piece into 2 pieces that will fit onto the buns.
2. In a large bowl, mix together marinade ingredients and add chicken. Marinate for up to 24 hours.
3. For spicy mayo: Whisk together all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. For breading and cooking: Preheat oil in a pot or fryer to 350 degrees.
5. In a shallow bowl, whisk together breading ingredients and add 2 to 3 Tbsp. of buttermilk marinade to create a batter.
6. Dip each piece of chicken into the batter and then fry for 3 to 5 minutes each side until outside is crispy and golden and chicken is cooked through properly.
7. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate.
8. For assembly: Toast buns in 1 Tbsp. butter melted in a saucepan.
9. Spread mayo on each side of buns. Top with pickles and chicken.
   

Recipe from Damn Delicious

DIY Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

Author: Sarah Ellis/Fantastical Sharing of Recipes

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt

For the Breading:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper

For the Spicy Mayo:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. hot sauce
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. garlic

For Assembly:

• 4 medium brioche buns
• Butter
• Sliced pickles
• 3 to 4 cups canola oil for frying

Instructions

1. For marinating chicken: Pound each chicken breast to make thinner. Cut each piece into 2 pieces that will fit onto the buns.
2. In a large bowl, mix together marinade ingredients and add chicken. Marinate for up to 24 hours.
3. For spicy mayo: Whisk together all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. For breading and cooking: Preheat oil in a pot or fryer to 350 degrees.
5. In a shallow bowl, whisk together breading ingredients and add 2 to 3 Tbsp. of buttermilk marinade to create a batter.
6. Dip each piece of chicken into the batter and then fry for 3 to 5 minutes each side until outside is crispy and golden and chicken is cooked through properly.
7. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate.
8. For assembly: Toast buns in 1 Tbsp. butter melted in a saucepan.
9. Spread mayo on each side of buns. Top with pickles and chicken.

Notes:

Recipe from Damn Delicious