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

Scale

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