Description
This Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich recipe offers a healthier homemade alternative to fast food favorites. Featuring tender, marinated and breaded chicken breasts baked to crispy perfection, complemented with a zesty grinder slaw and creamy homemade ranch dressing. The sandwich is finished with a flavorful buffalo sauce and toasted buns, making it a satisfying and flavorful meal ideal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Crispy Buffalo Chicken
- 1/2 cup pickle juice, for marinating
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Buffalo Sauce, for marinating
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup skim milk, or milk of choice
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 3 tbsp tapioca flour (or arrowroot powder or cornstarch)
Grinder Slaw
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp red vinegar
- 2 tbsp lite mayo
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Homemade Ranch
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp skim milk, or milk of choice
- 2 tbsp lite mayo
- 1/2 small lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, diced
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, diced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1/4 cup diced cucumbers
Buffalo Sauce & Extras
- 1/3 cup Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce
- 3 tbsp light butter, melted
- 4 sandwich buns
Instructions
- Marinate: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and pound them until they’re an even 1/4 inch thick. Cut each breast in half horizontally to create 8 square-ish pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together the pickle juice and Buffalo sauce. Toss the chicken pieces in this marinade until well coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or up to overnight in a sealed bag.
- Prepare Crispy Chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In one bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. In another bowl, combine garlic powder, ranch seasoning, paprika, black pepper, cayenne powder, almond flour, and tapioca flour. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack sprayed with non-stick spray. Set up an assembly line with the marinated chicken, egg mixture, dry mixture, and wire rack. Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, then coat thoroughly with the dry flour mixture, and place on the wire rack.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake chicken pieces for 8 minutes, then flip and bake another 8 minutes more. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F, then remove from the oven. The chicken will continue to cook while resting.
- Make Toppings While Chicken Bakes: For the ranch dressing, whisk Greek yogurt, milk, lite mayo, and lemon juice until smooth. Stir in parsley, diced cucumbers, dill, and seasonings, then refrigerate. For the grinder slaw, mix lite mayo, red vinegar, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl, then add shredded lettuce and toss to coat. For the buffalo sauce, melt the light butter in the microwave (about 30 seconds) and whisk in Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce.
- Toast the Buns: After chicken is done, switch on the broiler. Place sandwich buns open-faced on a baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray, and broil for 2-3 minutes until warm, toasted, and golden brown.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Spread ranch dressing on the bottom bun, add a generous layer of grinder slaw, dip each chicken piece into buffalo sauce (or drizzle sauce on top), and place on the slaw. Drizzle additional ranch on top, then cap with the toasted top bun. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious buffalo chicken sandwich!
Notes
- Marinating chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderness.
- Using a wire rack during baking helps achieve a crispy crust without frying.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken and food safety.
- Substitute almond flour and tapioca flour to keep the coating gluten-free.
- The ranch dressing can be made a day ahead to deepen flavors.
- Adjust cayenne and buffalo sauce amounts to control spice level.
- The sandwich buns can be replaced with gluten-free buns if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
