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Jalapeno Honey Drenched Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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4.1 from 5 reviews

A deliciously crispy fried chicken sandwich featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs marinated in a Cajun-spiced buttermilk mixture, dredged in a seasoned flour coating, and fried to golden perfection. The chicken is then drenched in a sweet and spicy jalapeno honey and served on toasted buns with creamy mayonnaise for a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savory crunch.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

For the Crispy Fried Chicken:

  • 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, boneless, skinless, trimmed, about 1/2 inch thick
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil (for frying)

For the Sandwiches:

  • 4 buns (optionally, lightly toasted)
  • 6 tablespoons jalapeno honey
  • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Submerge the chicken breasts or thighs in this mixture and marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor infusion and tenderization.
  2. Prepare the Coating: In a separate shallow dish, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, cornstarch, and baking powder. This mixture will give the chicken its crispy outer crust.
  3. Dredge the Chicken: Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, gently shaking off excess liquid. Dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring all surfaces are coated. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack to rest while preparing the rest.
  4. Heat the Oil: Pour the vegetable or peanut oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and heat it to 350°F (180°C) using a cooking thermometer to maintain temperature.
  5. Fry the Chicken: Carefully add each chicken piece to the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for approximately 4-5 minutes per side until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and set on a wire rack to drain and cool. To keep cooked chicken warm while frying remaining pieces, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven.
  6. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a crispy fried chicken piece on top, drizzle generously with jalapeno honey, then cap with the top bun. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the sweet-spicy flavor combination and satisfying crunch.
  7. Optional Enhancements: For extra crispy coating, dip the coated chicken back into the buttermilk mixture and dredge a second time before frying. Experiment with different spice blends such as taco seasoning or a homemade mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Notes

  • The marinating time can be extended up to overnight for juicier and more flavorful chicken.
  • Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature and avoid burning or undercooking the chicken.
  • You can keep fried chicken warm in a low oven (300°F) while cooking in batches.
  • Adjust the heat level of the jalapeno honey by adding more or less jalapeno or honey according to taste.
  • This recipe is versatile; try swapping Cajun seasoning with your favorite spice blends or keep it simple with paprika and herbs.
  • For an even crispier crust, consider a double dredging process with buttermilk and flour coating.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Sandwiches
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/jalapeno-honey-drenched-crispy-fried-chicken-sandwich-recipe/