Dinner

Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich Recipe

ByCleo Brixton December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

Introduction

If you love a bit of heat in your sandwich, Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a classic favorite that delivers bold flavor and crispy texture. This recipe guides you through creating the perfect spicy fried chicken breasts, topped simply with fresh tomato, lettuce, and mayo.

A close-up of a sandwich with four visible layers stacked inside a soft, smooth light tan bun. The bottom layer is a crispy, golden-brown fried chicken patty with a textured surface. Above it is a layer of fresh, bright green lettuce leaves, slightly ruffled. On top of the lettuce is a thick, round slice of red tomato, showing a juicy texture. The top bun is pale and smooth, slightly domed, and covers the sandwich. The sandwich sits on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Oil, as needed
1/3 cup Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce
2/3 cup Water
4 Chicken Breasts
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
4 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
4 Hamburger Buns
1 Tomato
4 Lettuce Leaves
Mayonnaise, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat oil in a cast iron skillet to 350°F (180°C), ensuring there’s enough oil to shallow fry the chicken breasts.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the water and Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce until combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cayenne pepper, salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder thoroughly.
Step 4: One at a time, coat each chicken breast by rolling it first in the flour mixture, then dipping it into the hot sauce mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture to double coat.
Step 5: Fry the chicken breasts in the hot oil for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness.
Step 6: Remove the chicken from the oil and drain excess oil on paper towels. Assemble each sandwich by placing the fried chicken breast on the bottom half of a hamburger bun, topping with sliced tomato, a lettuce leaf, and mayonnaise to taste. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes before frying to help the coating adhere better.
Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level; reduce for milder spice or increase for more kick.
Swap out the mayonnaise for a spicy ranch or blue cheese dressing for a different flavor profile.
Use fresh lettuce like romaine or iceberg for extra crunch.

Storage

Store any leftover fried chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to retain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

A sandwich with three main layers inside a soft, pale yellow bun; the bottom layer is a crispy, golden-brown fried chicken patty, on top of that is a fresh green leafy lettuce, followed by a thick, bright red tomato slice, finished with a thin spread of white mayo just under the top bun. The sandwich sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs can be used for a juicier sandwich. Adjust frying time as thighs may take slightly longer to cook through.

Is there a way to make this sandwich less spicy?

To reduce spiciness, decrease the cayenne pepper in the flour mixture and use less hot sauce in the dipping sauce. You can also substitute the hot sauce with a milder buffalo sauce or leave it out entirely for a milder flavor.