Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Introduction
This copycat version of Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich packs a flavorful punch with crispy, juicy chicken breast coated in a spicy, tangy batter. Perfectly balanced with fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on a soft bun, it’s a satisfying homemade twist on a fast-food favorite.
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: In a cast iron skillet, heat the oil to 350°F (180°C), adding enough to shallow fry the chicken breasts.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine the water and Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce, stirring until mixed.
- Step 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cayenne pepper, salt, onion powder, ground black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Step 4: One chicken breast at a time, coat it first in the flour mixture, then dip into the hot sauce mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Repeat this process for all chicken breasts.
- Step 5: Fry each chicken breast in the heated oil for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure even cooking and golden crispiness.
- Step 6: Drain any excess oil from the cooked chicken. Assemble each sandwich by placing a chicken breast on a hamburger bun, topping with lettuce, sliced tomato, and mayonnaise to taste. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add more cayenne pepper or a dash of hot paprika to the flour mixture.
- Use buttermilk instead of water in the hot sauce mix for a richer flavor and tender chicken.
- Serve with pickles or cheese slices to customize your sandwich.
- To ensure crispy chicken, pat the chicken dry before dredging and avoid overcrowding the skillet while frying.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken sandwiches separately to prevent the buns from becoming soggy. Keep chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness before assembling fresh buns and toppings.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
Yes, you can bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked and crispy. Lightly spray the chicken with oil before baking to achieve better browning.
Is there a substitute for Frank’s RedHot Sauce?
If you don’t have Frank’s RedHot Sauce, you can use any other cayenne-based hot sauce or a mixture of hot sauce and a bit of vinegar for similar flavor and heat.
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Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a crispy, flavorful fried chicken sandwich featuring a spicy cayenne pepper-coated chicken breast, hot sauce marinade, fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and creamy mayonnaise served on a toasted hamburger bun. This homemade version replicates the iconic fast-food favorite with a perfect balance of heat and crunch.
Ingredients
For the Hot Sauce Mixture
- 1/3 cup Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce
- 2/3 cup Water
For the Flour Coating
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breasts
- Oil, as needed for frying
- 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 until it reaches 350°F (180°C), which will ensure proper frying temperature for a crispy coating.
- Prepare the hot sauce mixture: In a bowl, combine 2/3 cup water with 1/3 cup Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce, mixing well to create a spicy marinade for the chicken.
- Make the flour coating: In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 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 a flavorful breading mixture.
- Coat the chicken: Take each chicken breast and roll it first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the hot sauce mixture, and return to the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated on all sides. Repeat for all four breasts.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken breasts in the hot oil and fry each for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve even golden-brown crispiness and fully cooked interiors.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the chicken fillets from the oil and place them on paper towels or a rack to drain off any excess oil, maintaining their crispness without greasiness.
- Assemble the sandwiches: On each hamburger bun, arrange one fried chicken breast, top with a leaf of lettuce and tomato slices, and spread mayonnaise to taste. Close the bun and serve immediately for best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Maintain the oil temperature consistently at 350°F to ensure the chicken cooks thoroughly without absorbing too much oil.
- The double flour and hot sauce dipping technique creates an extra crispy and spicy coating.
- Use fresh lettuce and ripe tomatoes for optimal texture and flavor contrast.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level as per your preference.
- This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh right after frying to preserve crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Wendy’s Copycat, Crispy Chicken, Spicy Sandwich
