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Home » Recipes » Sandwiches

Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwich

Published: Aug 23, 2022 by Eileen xo

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A Pinterest pin for a copycat chicken sandwich with text overlay.

This Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwich is crispy, juicy, and so easy to make at home! Buttermilk marinated chicken is dredged in a flavorful flour mixture and fried until golden brown. Serve on a buttery brioche bun with mayonnaise and pickles for the perfect sandwich!

A brioche bun with crispy chicken sandwich being held in a hand.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Similar recipes
  • Popeyes Copycat Chicken Sandwich

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • Our DIY copycat Popeyes chicken sandwich is quick and easy to make at home.
  • The chicken is crispy, juicy, and full of flavor.
  • Also, our Popeyes chicken is a fraction of the price of the restaurant version.

Ingredients

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • boneless skinless chicken breasts            
  • buttermilk
  • homemade Cajun seasoning store-bought can be used or seasoned salt
  • cracked black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • white granulated sugar
  •  all-purpose flour
  • corn starch
  • vegetable oil enough for frying
  • brioche buns
  • mayonnaise, optional topping
  • pickles, optional topping
Ingredients with text overlay of ingredients to make copycat Popeyes chicken sandwiches.

Equipment

  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups
  • Whisk
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Instant Read Thermometer

Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

Instructions to make the coating for popeyes chicken sandwich with text overlay.
  1. Pound out your chicken breasts lightly and trim any fat off them, if needed.
  2. In a small bowl, make a seasoning mix and combine together Cajun seasoning, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar. Set aside.
  3. Whisk 1 Tablespoon of the prepared seasoning mix into the buttermilk.
  4. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Let the chicken marinade for at least one hour up to overnight.
  5. When you are ready to fry the chicken, in a medium whisk together the remaining seasoning mix with the flour and cornstarch. Place 3-4 Tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade and stir it into the flour mix. You'll want to make chunky pieces of flour to give the chicken some good crispy bits.
  6. Dredge the chicken in the flour mix and dip back into the buttermilk and dredge in the flour a second time. Press any of the chunky flour pieces into the chicken.
  7. In a large heavy pot or deep frying pan add 4 cups of oil or enough to cover the chicken ¾ of the way. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until a little flour dropped in the pan sizzles immediately.
  8. Add 2 pieces of chicken to the hot oil and fry for 5-6 minutes, flip and repeat with the other side. 
  9. Once cooked through, Remove the cooked chicken to a cooling rack and repeat with frying process with the remaining chicken.
  10. To assemble the sandwich, spread mayonnaise on the brioche buns, add the chicken breasts, top with pickles, and top bun.

14. You can put them right on the brioche buns and serve.

15. You can take it a step further and butter the buns and toast them in a pan.

16. If you like spread the buns with mayo and add some thick pickle slices.

17. Enjoy the chicken sandwiches!

An overhead view of fried chicken breasts on a wire rack with brioche rolls and pickles above the rack to make sandwiches.

Storage

You can store any leftovers in a covered airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I do not recommend freezing this sandwich as it will make the chicken soggy once thawed.

Reheating: If you want to reheat these sandwiches, I recommend doing so in a 350°F/ C°oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave.

An overhead view of fried chicken sandwiches on brioche buns with fries and pickles on the side.

Expert Tips

Expert Tip: Thicker breasts might need more time and thinner might need less time. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165°F/74°C.

This sandwich is everything you crave in a Popeyes sandwich, but it's much easier and affordable to make at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Popeyes Chicken sandwich thigh or breast?

The Popeyes Sandwich is made with breast fillets.

Can I make this without buttermilk?

You can use plain milk, but the flavor and texture will be different.

What is the best oil to fry chicken?

To fry chicken, use your favorite oil such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are all great options.

How do you keep chicken crispy when frying?

The key is to not overcrowd the pan and to let the chicken cook until it's golden brown and crispy on both sides.

Variations

  • Serve the chicken on a salad: This would be a great option if you are looking to lighten up the meal.
  • If you would like a spicy chicken sandwich, add some more spice. Add some cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or even just sprinkle it on top of the sandwich.
  • You could experiment with different sauces: I think this chicken would be great with honey mustard, spicy mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, or even just plain old ketchup.
A silver tray with a fried chicken sandwich on the tray.

Serving Suggestions

  • One of my favorite sides to serve with this Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwich is these Baked Spicy Fries. They are crispy, flavorful, and always a crowd pleaser.
  • This Summer Fruit Salad is light, refreshing and so easy to throw together on a budget night when you need to get dinner on the table quickly.
  • This Bacon Ranch Potato Salad is the perfect side dish to pair with sandwiches. I don't know about you but I always think that potato salad goes best with a delicious.
  • Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese would be the perfect side dish for this Popeyes Chicken Sandwich.

Similar recipes

  • If you love making copycat recipes at home then you are going to enjoy this Copycat Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich recipe. It's easy to make and a great way to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.
  • Our copycat Chick-Fil A Nuggets are a great choice to make for your family any day of the week.
  • Are you a fan of buffalo chicken? If so, then you are going to want to check out this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich recipe. It's so easy, and perfect to make for busy school nights.
  • Are you looking for a simple beef recipe that is family-friendly? Look no further than these Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches. They are full of tender and flavorful beef and are so easy to make for a busy weeknight.

I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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Thank you for the continued support. I am forever grateful.

Eileen  xo

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A closeup of a chicken sandwich that is fried with the seasonings of a popeyes sandwich on a brioche bun with a pickle.

Popeyes Copycat Chicken Sandwich

Save your money and whip up delicious Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwiches at home. The chicken marinates in seasoned buttermilk, breaded in perfectly seasoned flour and cornstarch mix to make super crispy and tender chicken sandwiches.  Serve on soft brioche buns with pickles. You'll never want to go through a drive-thru again.
Print Pin Rate
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: copycat popeyes chicken sandwich, popeyes chicken sandwich recipe, popeyes fried chicken sandwich
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
marinate the chicken: 1 minute
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 898kcal
Author: Eileen Kelly

Equipment Needed:

  • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups
  • Whisk
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts            
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 Tablespoon homemade Cajun seasoning store bought can be used or seasoned salt
  • 2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup corn starch
  • 4 cups vegetable oil enough for frying
  • 4 brioche buns
  • mayonnaise, optional topping
  • pickles, optional topping

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, make a seasoning mix and combine together Cajun seasoning, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar. Set aside.
  • Whisk 1 Tablespoon of the prepared seasoning mix into the buttermilk.
  • Pour the buttermilk mixture over the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Let the chicken marinade at least one hour to overnight.
  • When you are ready to fry the chicken, in a medium whisk together the remaining seasoning mix with the flour and cornstarch. Place 3-4 Tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade and stir it into the flour mix. You'll want to make chunky pieces of flour to give the chicken some good crispy bits.
  • Dredge the chicken in the flour mix and dip back into the buttermilk and dredge in the flour a second time. Press any of the chunky flour pieces into the chicken.
  • In a large heavy pot or deep frying pan add 4 cups of oil or enough to cover the chicken ¾ of the way. Heat the oil over medium high heat until a little flour dropped in the pan sizzles immediately.
  • Add 2 pieces of chicken to the hot oil and fry 5-6 minutes, flip and repeat with the other side. 
  • Once cooked through, Remove the cooked chicken to a cooling rack and repeat with frying process with the remaining chicken.
  • To assemble the sandwich, spread mayonnaise on the brioche buns, add the chicken breasts, top with pickles, and top bun.

Notes

Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
Note 1: Thicker breasts might need more time and thinner might need less time. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165°F/174°C.
Note 2: The brioche buns can be toasted. 
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 898kcal | Carbohydrates: 122g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1727IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 6mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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Thank you for sharing!

73 shares
  • Share16
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  • Yummly

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