Make the famous Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich from scratch; no waiting in the drive-through is required! No one can resist crispy, savory fried chicken on a buttery brioche bun with crunchy pickles and spicy mayo.
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!
This is a spot on dupe of my favorite chicken sammy! The breading is the kicker for me, it is perfection!
Wilhelmina
Why You’ll Love This Fried Chicken Sandwich
- It’s perfect for dinner. You know when you cook dinner and everyone turns their nose up at it? This will not happen when you serve Popeye’s sandwiches!
- Simple ingredients. You probably already have all of the ingredients you need to make this recipe in your pantry and fridge. If not, add them to your shopping list so you can make these ASAP.
- Make it mild or spicy. The base recipe for this Popeye’s sandwich makes a fairly mild-flavored chicken, but if you like it hot, amp up the heat with some hot sauce and spices.
Ingredients In This Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Popeye’s crispy chicken sandwiches:
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!
How To Make Popeye’s Chicken Sandwiches – Step by Step Photos
Making these sandwiches is quite simple. All you have to do is quickly marinate then bread the chicken, fry it, and assemble the most perfect Popeye’s chicken sandwiches!
Tip!
For an extra flaky and crispy chicken sandwich, add a tablespoon or so of the chicken marinade to the flour mixture and mix with your hands to create little clumps.
Tips and Tricks
- Soak the chicken. If you have time, let the chicken sit in the buttermilk mixture in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This will tenderize the meat and add lots of flavor.
- Adjust the spices. The amount of spices you add to your breading mixture is completely up to you. If you’re feeding kids or don’t want it so spicy, leave out the cayenne or just use a pinch. Like it hot? Add more cayenne.
- Deep frying is best. You will get much better, crispier chicken if you use a deep fryer to make your cutlets. I also find it easier to use since it maintains the temperature you want. You can fry in a deep skillet or Dutch oven as well. I know we all love our air fryers, but I wouldn’t suggest air-frying this recipe. It just won’t be as good.
- Add yummy toppings to make this classic chicken sandwich even more delicious! Try a slice of cheese, a few slices of bacon, or some pickled banana peppers.
- Serve with fries. A fried chicken sandwich is always better with fries! While you have the fryer going, make some Homemade French Fries.
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
Making Ahead
Serving a crowd? You can prepare some of this recipe the night before and then just fry and assemble the sandwiches before serving.
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.
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.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
Recipe Video
Equipment
- 6-quart Dutch Oven or deep fryer
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts pounded into ½ inch thickness, and cut in half – around 16 ounces in total
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
Breading:
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Spicy Mayo:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Assembly:
- 4 brioche buns
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- ½ cup dill pickles sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken with buttermilk, salt, pepper, and cayenne powder. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
- For the bread, in a shallow bowl, combine flour with cornstarch, paprika, cayenne powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- For extra flaky chicken sandwich, add a tablespoon or so of the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture, and mix with your hands to create little clumps.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture. Press the chicken into the flour mixture to make sure it sticks to the chicken.
- Lightly shake off any excess flour, and place on a plate but do not pile the chicken.
- Heat vegetable (or canola) oil to 350°F (180°C) in a Dutch oven or a deep fryer. Fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, the chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- To make the spicy mayo, in a small bowl whisk mayonnaise with hot sauce and paprika, and set aside.
- To toast the brioche buns, slice them in half then melt 1 tablespoon butter to a skillet on medium-high heat, and place one bun cut in half cut-side down. Toast until they are golden brown but not burnt. Repeat with the second bun.
- To assemble the chicken sandwich, spread 1 tablespoon of spicy mayo on each half bun. On the bottom bun layer dill pickle slices over the sauce, place the chicken on top of the pickles, and cover with the top half bun.
Notes:
- Make buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own. simply add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk.
- Adjust the heat. The amount of spices you add to your breading mixture is completely up to you. If you’re feeding kiddos, or If you don’t want it so spicy, leave out the cayenne or just use a pinch. Like it hot? Add more cayenne.
- For an extra flaky and crispy chicken sandwich. Add a tablespoon or so of the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and mix with your hands to create little clumps.
- Deep frying is best. You will get much better, crispier chicken if you use a deep fryer to make your cutlets. I find it easier to use too. You can fry in a deep skillet, or dutch oven as well.
- Optional add-ons. Try a slice of cheese, a few slices of bacon, or some pickled banana peppers, also don’t forget to make some Homemade French Fries.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
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.
Donna Shoven says
Best chicken sandwich ever
Little Sunny Kitchen says
It is one of my favorites too! Thank you so much.
Bet says
I am making this tonight for dinner. However, I have a question when you say hot sauce are you referring to something like Tabasco Sauce or a Louisiana Sauce that would be used for buffalo wings?
Thank you
Diana says
I use Louisiana sauce or Crystal for this recipe, but if you like spicier chicken use Tabasco. Enjoy!
Donique Franklin says
I came out delicious the family love it…I follow the instructions to the tea lol
Lynn Brown says
My kids just told me this was better than Popeyes! 🤣 I’ve never heard that from them and I’ve been frying chicken for years.
Ashley says
It says to cut the breasts in half. Does that mean in half as in through the middle to make it thinner?
Diana says
Yes, lengthwise to make thin cutlets