What is so special about Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich?
Have you had one? I have, and it’s truly one of the best chicken sandwiches I’ve ever tasted. The seasoning and crunch on the chicken paired with creamy, spicy mayo, salty pickles, and a soft, buttery bun are just perfect. I love a good fried chicken sandwich. I have figured out the secrets to a few of them now, including my recipe for Homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwiches and one for Nashville Style Hot Chicken Sandwiches. I’ve also figured out how to make Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwiches! Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich has been an evasive and tricky-to-find food phenomenon. When it first came out, people lined up outside of stores for hours to get one. The demand was so high that they ran out of it over and over again, and it had to be discontinued! Luckily for the world, Popeye’s has added this delicious crispy breaded chicken sandwich back to their menu, but you know what? It’s not that difficult to make your own fried chicken sandwich that tastes better than Popeye’s at home. Popeye’s also discontinued their Cajun Rice, but don’t worry, I’ve got that (and many other copycat recipes) ready for you to make at home!
Why You’ll Love This Fried Chicken Sandwich
How To Make Popeye’s Chicken Sandwiches – Step by Step Photos
Storing Tips for Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
To keep the fried chicken cutlets as crisp as possible, let them cool completely before putting them in an airtight container lined with paper towels. The paper towels will soak up any moisture from the chicken so it doesn’t get soggy. They’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the chicken on a baking sheet. Place the sheet in the oven and let it warm for 10 minutes or until warmed through. If you have an air fryer, you can reheat the chicken for 2 minutes on each side, also at 350°F (180°C). While you can microwave the chicken, I don’t recommend it; it won’t lead to the crispy results you’re craving.
How do I make Popeye’s spicy chicken sandwich?
Follow this recipe, but add some extra spice to your breading. An extra teaspoon of cayenne pepper should do the trick. Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the buttermilk for even more spice. Wilhelmina Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded into ½ inch cutlets. Buttermilk – Buttermilk adds flavor and tenderizes the meat. If you don’t have buttermilk, simply add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to one cup of regular milk. Spices – This recipe calls for kosher salt, pepper, cayenne powder, regular or smoked paprika, and garlic powder. You want your chicken and breading to be well-seasoned. Flour and Cornstarch – By using both of these, we create the most amazing breading that will crisp up perfectly. Mayo & Hot Sauce – Spice up mayo for the sandwich topping with your favorite hot sauce. I recommend Louisiana hot sauce or Crystal. Brioche Buns – This is a must for a Popeye’s style sandwich. The buttery, slightly sweet flavor is perfect with the salty, spicy chicken. Pickles – Sliced dill pickles are the finishing touch!
What should I put on a Popeye’s chicken sandwich?
The basic toppings here are the spicy mayo and pickles, but you can totally get creative. Mix up your chicken restaurants and make homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce for this sandwich or Raising Cane’s sauce. Add shredded lettuce for a little bit of crunch, or add some fresh tomatoes and red onions for a fresh bite. Enjoy your super delicious fried chicken sandwiches, just like Popeye’s! Make sure to pin this recipe for later – I know you’ll want to make it often. I don’t suggest making the chicken ahead of time. It won’t keep its crispness if you refrigerate and try to reheat it later. To prepare in advance:
Make the spicy mayo and put it in the fridge. Prepare the raw chicken and place it in the buttermilk mixture. This can sit in the fridge overnight. Mix the dry breading ingredients in a ziploc bag and set aside for later.
When it’s time for dinner, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, dredge it in flour, and fry it. Toast your buns and assemble the sandwiches as directed. This recipe was first posted on our site on 7/29/2021, we updated it in May 2024 with more useful information, video, and more images. © Little Sunny Kitchen
