homemade Fried Chicken Sandwiches

So let me start by saying that my hubby has seriously been begging me to make a homemade version of fried chicken sandwiches for close to a decade now. I finally decided this weekend was going to be time to start developing the recipe and I figured it would take me at least a handful of times making it before it was perfected. But hey every now and then I am wrong (see Cole, told you I can admit when I’m wrong lol) ! These homemade Fried Chicken Sandwiches were a huge hit and I was even told they may be in the top ten of favorite dishes I make. So here’s all the details…

Let’s start with the homemade buns, this was my second time around making them and this time it was easier and they were way more fluffy! The key to make them fluffy is to make sure their is foam on the yeast mixture before mixing up the rest of rolls – don’t worry more on this below. And see video down at the bottom to see what the foam looks like.

Homemade Sandwich Rolls (makes 8)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warmed water
• 3 tbsp warmed milk
• 2 tsps active quick rise yeast
• 1 tsp organic granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp local honey
• 1 large egg, whisked
• 3.5 cups bread flour
• 2 tsps salt
• 2.5 tbsps salted butter, softened
• Egg wash (1 egg plus 2 tbsp water whisked) plus sesame seeds for the top

Directions:

1. In a bowl combine the warmed water, milk, sugar and yeast. Mix well. Let sit for about 5 minutes until you see a thick foam formed at the top.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients (besides the egg wash and sesame seeds for the topping) to the bowl and mix well. Dough should be soft to the touch but not stick to your fingers. If it sticks to your fingers add some more flour (a little at at time) until the dough doesn’t stick to you.
3. Cover the bowl with a towel for 1-3 hours, until the dough has risen to double in size. (mine usually takes about 1 hour).
4. Once the dough has doubled in volume, flip the dough onto a floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball, gently flattening and tucking the ends underneath as you move the dough in a circle in your hands.
5. Spread the dough balls evenly onto a parchment lined baking sheet and then over with a towel again for about 1 hour until the dough rises again.
6. Preheat a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven, add a pan with water on the bottom rack to keep moisture in the oven for the buns to be fluffy.
7. Before adding the buns into the oven brush the tops with the egg wash and add the sesame seeds. Then place in oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown on the top. Remove from oven, let cool a bit then serve.

Now its time for the Fried Chicken portion of the sandwich. I love using chicken thighs for this recipe but if you are a strict white chicken meat fan by all means use that and I would suggest pounding the chicken out thin and it will have to cook a bit longer than the thighs. Here’s all the info….

Fried Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Chicken Mixture: 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder
• Flour Mixture: 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp black pepper
• Egg Mixture: 1 cup heavy cream, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp hot sauce
• Cooking Oil (I suggest peanut or grapeseed oil)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle the chicken mixture over the thighs, then place the thighs back in the fridge for 30 minutes.
2. Mix up the flour mixture in a bowl and then the egg mixture in a separate bowl.
3. Heat up your oil to 325 degrees (don’t have a thermometer, no worries….just sprinkle some flour into the oil and if it bubbles on the surface you should be good).
4. Take your chicken and dredge it in the flour mixture then the egg mixture then back to the flour mixture.
5. Place chicken the large pot of oil and cook for about 10 minutes until chicken is cook through.

I personally think these sandwiches would not be complete without my easy Veggie Slaw. Read below…

easy Veggie Slaw

Ingredients:

• 1 bag veggie slaw
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• small pinch of cayenne pepper (if you like a little spice)

Directions:

1. Mix up everything above besides the slaw.
2. Next add the slaw and mix until covered with the sauce.
3. Place in fridge until ready to serve.