Barefoot Contessa’s Golden Crispy Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Southern comfort meets gourmet elegance in these Barefoot Contessa fried chicken sandwiches that promise a crispy, juicy culinary adventure.
Marinated in buttermilk and seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, the chicken emerges golden and irresistibly crunchy.
Each sandwich delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance on your palate.
The homemade coating brings restaurant-quality crunch right to your kitchen counter.
Fresh, crisp toppings and a tangy sauce complete this mouthwatering creation.
Seasonal herbs and a dash of love make these sandwiches a true crowd-pleaser.
Get ready to savor every single bite of this delectable meal that turns an ordinary lunch into an extraordinary dining experience.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories: 550 kcal
Servings: 6
Barefoot Contessa Fried Chicken Sandwiches – What Goes Inside
For The Marinade:
Buttermilk: Tender and tangy base that helps break down chicken fibers for incredible juiciness.
Shallot: Adds delicate, sweet onion undertones with a subtle aromatic punch.
Garlic: Provides robust, earthy flavor that deeply infuses the chicken.
Jalapeño: Introduces a vibrant, zesty heat that elevates the overall taste profile.
Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances the entire marinade's flavor complexity.
Black Pepper: Delivers a warm, sharp spiciness that complements the chicken.
For Coating and Seasoning:
All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crispy, golden exterior that locks in chicken's moisture.
Baking Powder: Helps achieve an extra-light, crunchy coating with irresistible texture.
Paprika: Brings a sweet, mild pepper warmth and beautiful reddish-brown color.
Cayenne Pepper: Adds a bold, fiery kick that sparks excitement in every bite.
Celery Salt: Contributes a unique, herbaceous depth to the seasoning blend.
For Sandwich Assembly:
Burger Buns: Soft, sturdy vehicle for holding the crispy chicken masterpiece.
Buttermilk Herb Mayo: Creamy, tangy spread that adds luxurious moisture and herbal notes.
Lettuce: Provides a fresh, crisp layer that balances the rich fried chicken.
Pickles: Offers a bright, tangy crunch that cuts through the sandwich's richness.
Canola Oil: Neutral oil perfect for achieving that golden, crackling chicken exterior.
Equipment Needed for Barefoot Contessa Fried Chicken Sandwiches
Large bowl: For mixing marinade and dredging flour.
Whisk: To blend marinade and flour mixture smoothly.
Parchment paper: For pounding chicken evenly.
Rolling pin or meat mallet: To flatten chicken breasts.
Dutch oven: For deep frying chicken.
Slotted spoon: To remove chicken from hot oil safely.
Wire rack: To drain and keep fried chicken warm.
Sheet pan: To support wire rack in oven.
Tongs: For handling chicken during cooking.
Sharp knife: To slice chicken breasts.
How to Build Barefoot Contessa Fried Chicken Sandwiches
Crispy Southern Comfort Delight
Flavor Bath The chicken takes a luxurious soak in a zesty buttermilk bath loaded with aromatic herbs and spicy hints. Blend shallots, garlic, and jalapeño for a punchy marinade that infuses deep flavor into every fiber of the meat.
Chicken Transformation Gently flatten chicken breasts until they're perfectly even, creating uniform pieces that will crisp up beautifully. Submerge the meat completely in the tangy marinade, allowing it to rest and absorb all those incredible flavors overnight.
Crispy Coating Magic Mix together a blend of flour and secret spices that will transform your chicken into a golden, crunchy masterpiece. The mix includes paprika, cayenne, and aromatic seasonings that promise an explosion of taste in every bite.
Frying Perfection Heat oil to the ideal temperature for achieving that stunning golden-brown exterior. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the bubbling oil, turning them to ensure an even, crispy coating that's both light and irresistibly crunchy.
Sandwich Assembly Layer your masterpiece on soft, toasted buns. Spread a generous layer of herb-infused mayo, add crisp lettuce and tangy pickles, then crown with the hot, crackling chicken. Each bite promises a symphony of textures and flavors that'll make taste buds dance.
Dredge chicken twice in seasoned flour for an extra-thick, crunchier exterior that locks in juiciness and flavor.
Allow chicken to soak in buttermilk mixture for full 24 hours to maximize tenderness and develop deep, rich taste profiles.
Maintain consistent oil temperature at 175°C to ensure perfectly golden-brown chicken without greasy or undercooked sections.
Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to dial heat up or down, letting home cooks personalize sandwich's spiciness according to their preference.
Prepare marinated chicken and seasoned flour mixture night before, reducing day-of cooking stress and streamlining sandwich assembly process.
Serving Barefoot Contessa Fried Chicken Sandwiches Like a Pro
Elevate Sandwich Presentation: Serve the sandwiches on rustic wooden boards for a trendy, restaurant-style look that makes the meal feel extra special.
Pair with Crisp Sides: Complement the rich fried chicken with tangy coleslaw, crispy sweet potato fries, or a light cucumber salad to balance the flavors and add freshness.
Create a Dipping Station: Offer additional sauces like spicy sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or ranch dressing on the side, allowing guests to customize their sandwich experience and enjoy extra flavor variations.
Host a Sandwich Party: Set up a build-your-own sandwich bar with different toppings, sauces, and bun options, letting friends and family create their perfect fried chicken sandwich with personal touches.
Marinate chicken breasts in advance and store in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Streamline your cooking by preparing multiple batches, allowing you to enjoy fresh sandwiches throughout the week.
Smart Storage: Keep Crispy Goodness Fresh
Transfer leftover fried chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven at 175°C for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness and maintain optimal texture.
Freeze for Future Feasts: Make-Ahead Magic
Wrap individual uncooked marinated chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frying for convenient meal preparation.
Portion and Protect: Sandwich Assembly Tips
Pack sandwich components separately when meal prepping. Store crispy chicken, mayo, and buns in different containers to prevent sogginess. Assemble just before serving to maintain the perfect crunch and fresh flavors.
Barefoot Contessa fried chicken sandwiches bring Southern comfort to home kitchens with crispy, golden perfection. Hearty layers of juicy chicken, tangy pickles, and creamy sauce create an irresistible sandwich you won’t stop craving.
Ingredients
Scale
3 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless (170 g / 6 oz each)
16 fl oz / 480 ml buttermilk, shaken
3½ cups / 450 g all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
2½ tsp smoked Spanish paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp celery salt
1 tbsp kosher salt
1½ tsp black pepper
2 × 1½ quarts / 2 × 1.36 L canola oil
1 shallot, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced crosswise
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 jalapeño pepper (with seeds), halved lengthwise
6 potato hamburger buns, toasted
Buttermilk Herb Mayo
6 Bibb lettuce leaves
Kosher dill pickles (such as Claussen), thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Marinade Preparation: Whisk buttermilk, shallot, garlic, jalapeño, kosher salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl to create a vibrant flavor foundation.
Chicken Preparation: Tenderize chicken breasts between parchment paper until uniformly thin, then slice horizontally. Submerge chicken pieces completely in marinade, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8-24 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
Coating and Oven Setup: Preheat oven to 300°F, positioning a wire rack on a baking sheet to maintain chicken temperature. Blend flour, baking powder, paprika, cayenne, celery salt, kosher salt, and black pepper to create a dynamic seasoned coating.
Frying Process: Heat canola oil to 350°F in a deep Dutch oven. Extract chicken from marinade, meticulously coat in seasoned flour, dip again in marinade, then re-coat with flour. Fry chicken in batches for 5 minutes, rotating to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior, transferring cooked pieces to oven-warmed rack.
Sandwich Assembly: Generously spread Buttermilk Herb Mayo on bottom bun, layer with crisp lettuce, pickle slices, and freshly fried chicken. Enhance top bun with additional mayo before crowning the sandwich.
Serving: Present sandwiches immediately, capitalizing on the chicken’s peak temperature and crispiness for an optimal culinary experience.
Notes
Marinate Strategically: Allow chicken to soak in buttermilk mixture for minimum 8 hours, preferably overnight, to ensure deep flavor penetration and tender meat texture.
Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature during frying to guarantee crispy exterior without burning or undercooking chicken.
Double-Dredging Technique: Repeat flour coating process creates extra-crunchy, multilayered breading that locks in moisture and delivers superior crispiness.
Resting Station Matters: Using oven-warmed wire rack prevents chicken from becoming soggy, preserving perfect crunch while keeping meat warm and succulent.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.