Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Recipes

COPYCAT POPEYE'S CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pound the chicken breasts with a mallet between two pieces of parchment paper until they are just under 1 inch in thickness.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half to fit the size of the bun. Poke the chicken breasts with the sharp end of a knife to make 4 to 5 punctures per side.
• In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk, hot sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until completely combined.
• Add the chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge for at least one hour, or up to overnight.
• Gather the ingredients.
• In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the flour and cornstarch with all the dry spices and cayenne, if using. Add a 1/4 cup of the chicken marinade into the flour and whisk to combine.
• Take a piece of chicken out of the marinade and dip it into the flour mixture. Dredge both sides to coat completely. Dip it back into the buttermilk mixture and then back into the flour mixture, pressing the flour to help it coat the chicken. Repeat the process with all pieces and place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet to refrigerate for 10 minutes. This helps the batter stick to the chicken-if you don't have time, simply fry it right away. Add the oil to a cast-iron skillet, or another heavy-bottomed pan, until it reaches 350 F.
• Add the chicken pieces to the pan and fry for 3 to 5 minutes per side. The outside should be crispy and golden brown and the internal temperature should be 165 F. Remove from the oil and allow to drain on a cooling rack over a baking sheet or on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Whisk together the mayo with the dry spices in a small bowl. Reserve.
• Gather the butter, buns, pickles, and spicy mayo.
• Add 1/4 tablespoon of butter to a large skillet and heat on medium to high heat. Halve the buns and place each half bun cut-side down onto the pan and toast until golden brown. Keep adding 1/4 tablespoon of butter per half and toast all halves.
• Spread a tablespoon of the mayo onto both sides of the buns. Add 3 to 4 sliced pickles to the bottom side of the bun. Place the chicken on the bottom and close with the top slice.
• Enjoy hot!

COPYCAT FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH

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.

COPYCAT FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut each chicken breast horizontally in half; place in a large bowl. Add buttermilk and hot sauce; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight. , Preheat air fryer to 400°. Stir eggs into chicken mixture. In a shallow dish, whisk flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper and salt. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, firmly patting to help coating adhere. Repeat, dipping chicken again in buttermilk mixture and then dredging in flour mixture., Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, lightly dab both sides of chicken with oil until no dry breading remains. , In batches, arrange chicken in a single layer in greased air fryer. Cook until a thermometer reads 165° and coating is golden brown and crispy, 7-8 minutes on each side. Remove chicken; keep warm. Toast buns in air fryer until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Top bun bottoms with chicken. If desired, serve with optional toppings.