Chick Fil A Spicy Hen Sandwich

February 6, 2025

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My obsession with recreating the proper Chick-fil-A Spicy Hen Sandwich started one Sunday when the craving hit and, naturally, all places have been closed. After months of testing, I found their closely-guarded secret: pickle juice brine. This sudden ingredient transforms abnormal rooster into one thing extraordinary, creating that signature tender, juicy inside that Chick-fil-A is legendary for.

Copycat Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwich and waffle fries behind it.

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What Makes the Chick Fil A Spicy Hen Sandwich So Scrumptious?

This Hen fil A Spicy Hen Sandwich recipe completely combines warmth, sweetness, and tang. The spiciness of the new sauce-flavored egg wash and the tang from the pickle juice rooster marinade present the zip, whereas the brioche bun presents a candy counter-balance.

Add a shaggy breading that delivers an additional crunch issue and helps hold the rooster completely tender, and you’ve got one darn-good spicy crispy rooster sandwich.

Why You Ought to Attempt This Recipe

The little effort it takes to make this spicy rooster burger at house is value it after getting your first chew. In case you are nervous about frying, don’t be. It’s simpler than you suppose. Get your self a superb deep-fry thermometer or an cheap deep-fryer, and also you gained’t have any issues.

When you grasp this copycat Chick-fil-A recipe, it’s certain to turn out to be one in all your go-to recipes when craving fast-food restaurant-style meals at house.

Spicy Hen Sandwich Elements

For this Chick fil A Spicy Hen Sandwich recipe, you’ll want:

For the Hen:

Boneless skinless rooster breasts – Gives the proper portion dimension and tender meat
Dill pickle juice– Tenderizes and seasons the rooster from inside
Entire milk – Creates a wealthy base for the moist coating
Scorching sauce – Provides the signature warmth
Massive egg – Helps the breading adhere and creates a crispy crust

For the Breading:

All-purpose flour – Kinds the bottom of the crispy coating
Powdered sugar – Creates refined sweetness and helps with browning
Salt– Enhances all flavors
Freshly floor black pepper – Provides refined warmth and depth
Smoked paprika – Gives shade and smoky taste
Cayenne pepper – Delivers the signature spicy kick

For Meeting:

Brioche hamburger buns – Provides candy, buttery distinction
Butter – Helps obtain completely toasted buns
Dill pickle chips – Add tangy crunch
Peanut oil for frying – Gives clear, impartial taste with ha igh smoke level

For Deluxe Model (Optionally available):

Lettuce leaves – Provides recent crunch
Tomato slices – Gives juicy freshness
Pepper jack cheese slices – Provides further warmth and creaminess

Peanut oil is greatest on this recipe for its excessive smoke level, however you should utilize your favourite cooking oil as a substitute if you’re involved about allergic reactions or different well being considerations.

Copycat Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwich ingredients.

Ingredient Substitutions

As an alternative of a white brioche bun, you should utilize a toasted multigrain brioche bun or entire wheat bun.

You may add some garlic powder to the spice combine for an additional little bit of taste.

As an alternative of pepper jack cheese, you should utilize Colby-Jack cheese or Cheddar Cheese.

Learn how to Make a Spicy Hen Burger

To arrange the rooster:

Trim any further pores and skin or fats from the rooster breasts.
Minimize the boneless breast of rooster in half horizontally. When you use smaller rooster breasts, use 4 as a substitute of two and pound them flat to make sure they cook dinner evenly.
Marinade the rooster breasts in a lined bowl of pickle juice for about 2 hours within the fridge.

To bread the rooster:

Place two massive shallow bowls and a wire rack on a rimmed cooking tray on the work floor.
Pour the milk, scorching sauce, and egg into the primary bowl and whisk effectively.
Within the second bowl, stir collectively the flour, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne.

Collage of steps for marinating chicken and making breading for Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwich.

Take away the rooster items from the pickle juice and pat them dry on paper towels. Discard the pickle juice.
Dip one piece of rooster into the bowl with the moist elements. Shake off any extra and switch the rooster to the bowl with the dry elements. Coat the rooster effectively with the flour combine and evenly shake off the surplus.
Place the breaded rooster on the wire rack and repeat with the remaining rooster items.
Place the baking tray with the breaded rooster within the fridge to arrange whereas heating the oil.

To fry the rooster:

Place a clear wire rack over a rimmed cooking tray near the place you’ll fry the rooster.
Pour the oil for frying right into a Dutch oven-style pot. Connect a deep-fry thermometer to the aspect of the pot. You may also use a deep-fryer for this recipe.
Warmth the oil to 350°F.
Take away the rooster from the fridge and punctiliously add one or two items to the new oil. You will want to work in batches to forestall the oil temperature from falling under 325°F.
Fry the rooster for 3 to 4 minutes per aspect. The rooster must be golden and really crispy.
Take away the rooster from the new oil utilizing a spider. Use an instant-read thermometer to double-check that the inside of the rooster is not less than 165 levels. If it isn’t, put it again within the oil for a minute or two oil longer.
Repeat with the remaining rooster items.

To assemble the rooster sandwich:

Butter the buns and toast them butter-side down in a skillet over medium-low warmth.
Place the breaded rooster and pickle slices on the toasted backside bun.
Cowl with the highest bun and serve.

Collage of steps for breading, frying, and assembling Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwich.

For a spicy deluxe rooster sandwich:

Place lettuce, sliced tomato, breaded rooster, pepper jack cheese, and pickle slices on the toasted backside bun.
Cowl with the highest bun and serve.

Copycat Chick Fil A deluxe spicy chicken sandwich.

Professional Ideas and Variations

For further crispy coating: Double-dip in moist and dry mixtures
For extra warmth: Add further cayenne to flour combination
For lighter model: Air fry at 400°F for 12-Quarter-hour
Oil temperature: Preserve between 325-350°F for excellent outcomes

Dietary Modifications

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour mix and buns
Dairy-free: Substitute milk with buttermilk various
Decrease carb: Serve on lettuce wrap
Much less spicy: Cut back cayenne and scorching sauce by half

Scaling the Recipe

For a crowd: Double recipe; fry in batches
For meal prep: Make further, freeze unassembled
For 2: Halve recipe however hold marinade ratio

Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting

Q: Why isn’t my rooster as crispy as Chick-fil-A’s? A: Guarantee oil temperature stays constant and don’t overcrowd the pan.

Q: Is the pickle juice style robust? A: No, it simply enhances the rooster’s taste and tenderness.

Q: Can I skip the marinating time? A: Minimal half-hour, however 2 hours yields greatest outcomes.

What to Serve With This Spicy Hen Sandwich

Chick-fil-A is legendary for its waffle-cut fries, however common fries will style simply nearly as good. You may also serve the rooster burgers with onion rings, cole slaw, or a salad.

Two copycat Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.

Learn how to Retailer the Leftovers

Preserve any further fried rooster patties in an hermetic container within the fridge for a most of three days. You may freeze leftovers for as much as two months in a freezer-safe bag.

What Is the Greatest Option to Reheat a Spicy Hen Sandwich

Reheating in an air fryer is right:

Preheat the air fryer to 365°F.
Warmth the thawed fried rooster burgers for about 5 minutes or till scorching.

When you don’t have an air fryer, you possibly can reheat the rooster within the oven:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Lay the fried rooster burgers on a baking sheet and canopy the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Bake for 10 minutes. Take away the foil, flip the rooster patties, and cook dinner them for 5 extra minutes or till heated via.

Closeup of copycat Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwich.

Extra Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipes

Favourite Quick Meals Burgers and Sandwiches

Take a look at extra of my straightforward sandwich recipes and the very best copycat Chick Fil A recipes on CopyKat!

Keep in mind, the important thing to excellent Chick-fil-A mode spicy rooster is persistence with the marinade and exact temperature management throughout frying. Take your time and benefit from the course of – the outcomes are value it!