Description
This Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich recipe recreates the iconic fast-food favorite at home, featuring crispy, spicy fried chicken breasts coated in a flavorful cayenne-seasoned flour and Frank’s RedHot sauce mixture, served on a soft hamburger bun with fresh tomato, lettuce, and creamy mayonnaise.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- Oil, as needed (for frying)
- 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
For Assembly:
- 4 Hamburger Buns
- 1 Tomato, sliced
- 4 Lettuce Leaves
- Mayonnaise, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a cast iron skillet, heat oil as needed to 350°F (180°C), ensuring it is hot enough for frying the chicken to a crispy golden finish.
- Prepare the hot sauce mixture: In a bowl, combine 2/3 cup water with 1/3 cup Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce, mixing thoroughly to create the flavorful soaking liquid for the chicken.
- Mix the seasoned flour: In a separate bowl, mix together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder to create the spicy coating.
- Coat the chicken: One by one, roll each chicken breast first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the hot sauce mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. This double coating ensures a crispy, spicy crust.
- Fry the chicken: Fry each coated chicken breast in the hot oil for about 8 minutes total, flipping halfway through to cook evenly until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and assemble: Remove the chicken breasts from the oil and drain excess oil. Place each chicken breast on a hamburger bun, then add sliced tomato, one lettuce leaf, and your desired amount of mayonnaise. Top with the bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure the oil temperature stays around 350°F to ensure a crispy crust without burning.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spiciness level as per your preference.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to verify that chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drain the fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil for a less greasy sandwich.
- This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh and hot to maintain the crispiness of the coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Spicy chicken sandwich, fried chicken sandwich, homemade Wendy's chicken sandwich, spicy fried chicken, fast food copycat recipe
