Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Hello Mello Monday! Do you like Chicken Sandwiches? I mean real Chicken Sandwiches, made from perfectly seasoned Chicken Breasts. Chick Fil-A chicken sandwiches.

There are two kinds of people in this world. Those that like Fast Food that tastes like real food, made fast. And then there are those who like Fast Food that tastes like something processed. Chicken Nuggets that aren’t pieces of breaded chicken cut from a breast, but shaped from chicken paste actually appeal to people. Yeah, that sounds oh so appetizing. Yet there are folks out there that prefer the taste and texture of processed paste. I will give them this – it is chicken. Some of it is even breast meat, but most of it is the leftover meat, blasted from the bones after the chicken has been butchered.

When we are on the road, whenever possible we’ll make a Chick Fil-A stop. Real chicken, that is easily recognized as actual chicken breasts. At home, we like to make our own Real Chicken Sandwiches. It is so simple, so delicious and perfect for a Mellow Monday Supper. This same recipe could easily be adapted for folks that aren’t a fan of spice simply by eliminating the spice. Use Ranch Dressing instead of Franks Red Hot Sauce. Leave out the Cayenne Pepper. Adjust for your particular tastes and heat index. My guys would have liked more heat. I thought this was a nice balance with just enough kick to know that it is there, but not so much that you are reaching for honey to put out the flames.

Happy Monday – Enjoy!

Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwiches
1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
1/3 cup Water
1 Egg
1 cup Flour
2-1/2 teaspoons Salt
4 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon Coarse Black Pepper
1 teaspoons Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 lb Thin Cut Chicken Breasts
Vegetable Oil for frying
1 Large Tomato
4 Green Lettuce Leaves
4 Hamburger Buns
2 tablespoons Mayonnaise

In a pie pan, whisk together hot sauce, water, and egg. In another pie pan, combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder.

Coat each fillet in the flour. then in the hot sauce mixture, then in the flour again. Lay chicken out on a rack and let rest for 10 minutes for the coating to adhere to the meat.

While the chicken rests, slice the tomato and break apart the lettuce leaves, set aside.

Fill a skillet with about a half an inch of oil. Heat oil over medium high heat. Place half of the chicken into the hot oil. Immediately turn heat down to medium. Fry chicken for about 3 minutes. Turn and continue to fry another three minutes.

Place chicken on a wire rack to drain, hold in a warm oven until all the chicken has been fried.

When ready to assemble, split buns. Smear mayonnaise on the top and bottom bun. Place a tomato slice on the bottom bun, top with chicken, lettuce and the top bun. Serve and enjoy.

Great with French Fries on the side.