I Swear by This Copycat Popeyes Hen Sandwich Recipe

I think about myself a fried hen sandwich aficionado, bordering on sommelier. Having eaten numerous crispy cutlets I can inform you that the Popeyes hen sandwich ranks up there with a few of the greatest. That mentioned, getting one in all them delivered to your door is a bet. The humidity that may construct within the bag actually destroys a few of its biggest qualities, together with the a lot prized crunchy crust. It’s a danger that you just simply shouldn’t take. I think about it my nice responsibility and honor to current you with the secrets and techniques of make the most effective copycat Popeyes hen sandwich at residence.

What’s the Popeyes hen sandwich made from?

The Popeyes hen sandwich appears fundamental—on paper. It’s a breaded and fried hen breast tucked within a delicate bun with mayonnaise (or spicy mayo) and some sliced pickles. Nevertheless, the greatness is achieved with two principal particulars. The hen, clearly. It should be completely juicy inside (achieved simply with a buttermilk marinade) with a rugged panorama of crunchy batter encasing it. Much less apparent is the significance of the bun. You may assume any hamburger roll will do, however there’s a decidedly proper alternative right here. I’ll go into that on the finish, and put together it correctly.

The web will smother you with the key recipe for flavoring the marinade, or the “proper” mixture of spices and scorching sauce, however I actually consider these elements play a minimal position in comparison with the essential therapy of the hen and the bun. Observe these steps and you will have a Popeyes hen sandwich that Popeye could be jealous of. Away we go.

Find out how to make Popeyes hen sandwich

1. Begin with the hen breast

Place an entire, uncooked hen breast, about an eight-ounce piece, on a chopping board and butterfly it with a pointy knife to make two thinner items of hen. When you go away the breast entire it would take eternally to cook dinner via once you fry it, seemingly over-browning on the surface—and, take my phrase for it, an entire fried hen breast is surprisingly simply an excessive amount of for a properly balanced fried hen sandwich. Belief me, I’m a FCS sommelier, keep in mind? Subsequent, we’re on to the marinade.

2. Popeyes hen makes use of buttermilk (in some capability)

Popeyes suspiciously describes that its hen goes via a “buttermilk system.” Whereas I’ve little question there’s one thing up with its “system” I exploit a easy buttermilk marinade. I do know in addition to anybody, if a recipe will get too sophisticated or makes use of significantly inaccessible substances then I’m not doing it.

Pour a couple of cup of retailer purchased buttermilk right into a deep container. Stir in some salt and scorching sauce. Once more, I don’t assume it issues what scorching sauce you employ. What issues is that you just prefer it. Buttermilk is the clutch ingredient right here. The lactic acid tenderizes the proteins and leads to a really juicy hen breast. All you should do is strive it as soon as and also you’ll style the distinction. Take your butterflied hen breasts and tuck them into the buttermilk. Pop the lined container into the fridge for at the very least 4 hours, nevertheless it’s greatest if they will get 12 to 24. Be certain that they’re submerged, or simply attempt to flip them midway via.

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

3. Attaining the right breading

When you’re questioning how the crust of a Popeyes hen sandwich will get so crispy, it’s due to how clumped up the flour dredge will get after a number of cuts of marinated hen have dunked in it. The drips of loosened liquid combine with the flour and kind small clumps and flakes. These bits then cling to the subsequent hen that passes via and also you get cutlets with irregular clusters and crags of breading connected. These fry up into further crunchy ridges and ripples.

There’s a straightforward option to duplicate this at residence.

Whenever you’re able to fry, make the flour dredge. I add principally flour, after which enhance the starch content material with a pair tablespoons of potato starch, however you need to use cornstarch when you like. Add salt and spices like cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. You’ll be able to discover savory spices that you just like, or use my recipe under.

Take the buttermilk hen container out of the fridge and add just a few spoonfuls of the buttermilk marinade on to the dredge. Simply the liquid, not the hen but. Pinch the liquid into the combination till you might have numerous flakes and chunks all through. (You are able to do this method with different copycat recipes, or with my scorching hen slider recipe too.)

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Take out a hen breast from the container, shake off a few of the liquid and put it within the flour combination. Scoop the dry combine up and over the hen and press down for good contact. Flip the hen as wanted to coat any moist spots. You need numerous clumps caught to the hen. Transfer the coated hen onto a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Repeat with the opposite hen breast. Let the breaded hen sit on the rack for at the very least 10 minutes. This can give the flour an opportunity to hydrate and set on the meat.

4. Frying the hen

As you wait, warmth about an inch of impartial frying oil (like corn or vegetable oil) in a heavy pot or skillet. Use a thermometer to see when the hen reaches 350°F to 360°F. As soon as it comes as much as temperature, gently decrease the hen into the oil. I fry them one by one so the temperature doesn’t drop too low. Fry the hen for about three minutes per facet. It ought to look properly and evenly browned. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest a part of the hen for 165°F, as soon as it’s out of the oil. Dab the hen onto a paper towel, or any of those different oil draining supplies, and let it cool on a completely different wire cooling rack (not the one which had uncooked hen on it).

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

5. The significance of the buttered bun

The very last thing you should do is correctly deal with your bun. Positive, there are the pickles and the mayo, however this is the element that actually sells a copycat Popeyes hen sandwich. Seize two brioche hamburger buns. Euroclassic makes an amazing one which occurs to be the right measurement, and I often discover them in six packs at my native Shoprite.

In a frying pan, add a slice of butter, a couple of quarter of a tablespoon, and soften it over medium-low warmth. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Use a pastry brush to swipe the salty butter throughout the pan. Break up the brioche bun and put the 2 sides cut-side down within the frying pan. Toast the bottoms, and use the pastry brush to brush extra butter over the tops. As soon as the cut-sides have some colour, take them out of the pan. Repeat with the opposite bun.

6. Assemble your Popeyes hen sandwich

The second-most enjoyable half has arrived! (Consuming is primary.) Smear a spoonful of mayonnaise onto each minimize sides of a buttered, toasted brioche bun. If you need it to be extra like Popeyes spicy hen sandwich, then simply combine a teaspoon (or extra, for an even bigger kick) of your favourite scorching sauce into two tablespoons of mayonnaise. Place a single gorgeously fried hen breast onto the underside bun and layer on slices of your favourite pickles. I’d stroll 500 miles for Grillo’s half sours, in order that’s what I used. Press the buttery high bun on high. Take a deep breath and dive in.

It’s a tower of fried hen perfection. The crunch. The juicy hen. The pan toasted bun that lightly, however completely, masks any remnant oil flavors with luscious salted butter.

Moreover the advantages of not consuming a supply sandwich—steamed, wilted, and chilly—making your personal Popeyes fried hen sandwich is probably going at all times going to be higher. Perhaps even higher than consuming it within the retailer. It’s as contemporary as doable, you’ve sourced your personal substances, and also you get to personalize it in methods the quick meals chain by no means will. For instance, I principally match my hen to pickle ratio, ounce-for-ounce. Have some enjoyable with it and add a slice of pepper jack cheese, a fried egg, or pickled jalapeños.

Popeyes Basic Hen Sandwich Copycat Recipe

Components:

• 8-ounce uncooked hen breast (makes two sandwiches)
• 2 brioche hamburger buns
• 1 tablespoon of butter (for toasting the buns)
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• Sliced pickles
• Sufficient impartial cooking oil for frying

For the marinade

• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 1-3 teaspoons scorching sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the breading

1. Butterfly the hen breast to make two thinner items, about 4 ounces every. Pour the marinade substances right into a container. Submerge the hen items into the marinade. Cowl the container and put it within the fridge for at the very least 4 hours and as much as 24 hours.

2. In a big bowl, completely mix all the breading substances. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet close by. Take the hen container out of the fridge. Scoop two or three spoonfuls of the buttermilk liquid into the flour combination. Use your fingers to pinch the liquid into the flour so that you make flakes of breading.

3. Take one piece of hen breast out of the marinade, shake off the surplus and drop it into the flour combination. Totally coat the hen with the breading, urgent numerous the flakes onto the hen. Transfer the breaded hen to the wire rack. Repeat with the opposite hen breast. Let the breaded hen dry for 10 to fifteen minutes.

4. In the meantime, warmth an inch of impartial oil in a heavy pot or skillet. Goal for 350°F to 360°F. Fry the breaded hen within the oil for about 3 minutes per facet. The hen must be properly browned. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest half for 165°F. Repeat with remaining hen.

5. Soften a couple of quarter to half a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan with a pinch of salt. Unfold the butter throughout the pan. Open one burger bun and place the edges cut-side down within the pan. Brush butter over the tops whereas the bottoms toast. When the underside has picked up some colour, take it out. Add extra butter and salt for the subsequent bun.

6. Assemble the sandwich by smearing mayo onto each side of the brioche bun. Place a bit of buttermilk fried hen on the underside bun, high it with pickle slices, and press the highest bun on high. Your copycat Popeyes hen sandwich is full.