"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2024)

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Move over, Popeye’s! There’s a new “Fried” Chicken Sandwich in town, and this one is much healthier than the fast food version!

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (1)

I’m not sure that there is a more beautiful food combination than crispy chicken, soft bread, creamy mayo, and tangy pickles. This hits all of the flavor and texture notes out there. So simple yet so delicious!

I tried to maintain all of the best parts of that traditional fried chicken sandwich, while cutting back on the fat and oil. Just small changes like turns something like this from an occasional treat into a weekly staple. We’ve already made these 5 times in the two weeks I’ve tested the recipe out!

The star, of course, is the chicken. My goal was to get as close to the coated texture of a deep fried version. I mean, it looks pretty close to me!

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2)

I’ve found that the key to getting that chunky kind of breaded coating is to add a bit of milk to your flour mixture. That creates clumps that mimic the thicker batter and fried quality.

I also opted for a thickened egg wash instead of a traditional buttermilk marinade. This makes for a thicker coating, as the buttermilk and flour combo tends to slide off if you’re not deep frying.

This is what my version looks like before it’s cooked.

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (3)

The breading looks just like real fried chicken, thanks to those small hacks! Just coat with cooking spray, and then you’re ready to cook it up.

What is the best way to cook the chicken?

If you have an air fryer, that is definitely the best way to cook these up. Don’t worry if you don’t, though. I’ve tried making it in the oven and skillet. Both are doable!

The air fryer is the quickest, easiest, and most consistent method. The oven also works, though it takes longer and requires that you flip halfway through.

The skillet is my least favorite way to make these. It requires more oil and the breading can tend to cook unevenly. But you can definitely make it work!

Assembling the sandwiches

You have a lot of different options for making the sandwiches to your taste. We prefer spicy sandwiches in this house, so I add cayenne to the breading and hot sauce to the mayo. The pickles cut through the richness of the chicken, making for the perfect combo!

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (4)

These are also great served burger-style, with regular mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion. The points won’t change, and the macros will basically remain the same if you eat them this way.

The buns depend on what you like. Brioche buns are great here, but regular hamburger buns will obviously work, too. Sesame buns could add a little extra flavor and crunch.

We’re going to get creative with these in the future, too. We’ve talked about chicken parmesan sandwiches, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. I mean, the list goes on! I’ll definitely share our (successful) experiments with you. For now, enjoy the classic!

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (5)

I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! It makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there.

If you like fast food copycat recipes, you have to try out my Fast Food-Style Chicken Nuggets!

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (6)

Print Recipe

4.97 from 30 votes

“Fried” Chicken Sandwich

Move over, Popeye's! There's a new fried chicken sandwich in town, and this one is much healthier than the fast food version!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Sandwich

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Calories: 318kcal

Author: Geri

Ingredients

  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 large ones, cut in half)
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional for a spicy chicken sandwich)
  • 3 1/2 tbsp almond milk, divided (or skim milk)
  • 1 large egg
  • oil cooking spray
  • 4 tbsp light mayo
  • 1-2 tbsp hot sauce
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • dill pickle slices

Instructions

  • Pound the chicken breasts out to even thickness. Pat chicken very dry with paper towels. Set aside on a cutting board.

  • Create your breading station. In one bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, and seasonings. In another bowl, whisk together egg and 2 tbsp almond milk. Whisk 1 tbsp of the seasoned flour into the egg/almond milk mixture.

  • Coat chicken in seasoned flour mixture. Set chicken aside.

  • Add remaining 1 1/2 tbsp of milk to the seasoned flour blend. Mix the milk through the flour with a fork or your fingers until you see some small clumps of flour in the mixture.

  • Dip flour-coated chicken into egg mixture and let excess drain off. Place chicken into seasoned flour mixture and press the flour into chicken. Gently shake off excess and set on cutting board. Let set for about 5 minutes. Then spray both sides of the chicken with cooking spray–enough to lightly coat the breading.

  • FOR ALL METHODS, make sure you let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before eating. This will set the juices of the chicken and the breading.

FOR THE AIR FRYER (recommended method)

  • Cook at 400F for 18-24 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

FOR THE OVEN

  • Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 400F for 20 minutes. Gently flip chicken, then bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

FOR THE SKILLET

  • Add 2 tsp oil to a large skillet on medium heat. Swirl to coat the pan with the oil, then add chicken. Cook for 7-10 minutes, flip and cook for a remaining 7-10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Check the crust often to make sure it doesn't burn.

ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICHES

  • Mix together mayo and hot sauce.

  • Lightly toast hamburger buns. Spread mayo mixture evenly across all 4 bottom buns. Lay pickle slices on top of mayo.

  • Place chicken on pickles. Top with more hot sauce, if desired. Place bun on top and enjoy!

Notes

Click hereto determine your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe (if you are logged in to your WW app, it should calculate for you automatically).

WW Green SmartPoints: 10 per sandwich

WW Blue and Purple SmartPoints: 7 per sandwich

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g

"Fried" Chicken Sandwich | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fried chicken? ›

Essential Tips for Crispy, Juicy Fried Chicken
  1. Buy chicken pieces.
  2. Dry brine the chicken for juiciness.
  3. Make a strong spice mixture.
  4. Use egg whites, alcohol, and cornstarch for a crispy coating.
  5. Fry in a Dutch oven.
  6. Use two thermometers.
  7. Prevent overflow by using the Dutch oven.
  8. Set up a proper fry station.

Why are fried chicken sandwiches so popular? ›

The craze was ignited by an epic battle among quick-service chains, each trying to prove their respective sandwich was superior in a marketing trend known as “The Chicken Sandwich Wars.” Four years and one industry-shaking pandemic later, consumer interest in battered and fried chicken between two buns has continued ...

Is fried chicken good for you on a diet? ›

Although chicken can certainly fit into a healthy diet, some types are loaded with extra calories, fat, or sodium. Here are a few types of chicken that you should limit or avoid: Fried chicken. Because it's typically deep-fried and breaded, fried chicken is usually high in calories, carbs, and unhealthy fats ( 11 ).

Can I eat one piece fried chicken? ›

If you can moderate your intake, sticking to one piece of chicken along with some balanced sides like lots of steamed or roasted vegetables, a small serving of rice or potatoes, and perhaps a small salad then you can have fried chicken about once a week.

How to get the best flavor for fried chicken? ›

  1. To add flavor to homemade fried chicken, you can:
  2. - Marinate the chicken in a flavorful mixture before frying.
  3. - Apply a well-balanced seasoning blend to the chicken.
  4. - Incorporate spices or herbs into the breading mixture.
  5. - Serve with hot sauce or a flavorful dip.
  6. - Brush with glazes or serve with tasty sauces.
Jun 15, 2023

Is egg or milk better for fried chicken? ›

Some recipes call for dipping the chicken in egg before coating with flour while others call for milk (or butter milk). Egg provides a lot more protein and will produce a thicker, more stable crust. Milk is obviously much thinner, contains much more water, and won't cling to the meat as much.

How unhealthy is a fried chicken sandwich? ›

High in unhealthy fats: Fried foods are often cooked in unhealthy fats, such as trans fats and saturated fats, which can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. High in calories: Fried foods are typically high in calories, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Why is fried chicken so addictive? ›

It turns out that our brains are actually. wired to crave foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar. And you guessed it, fried foods are usually chock full of all 3. So there you have it.

Are fried chicken sandwiches healthier than burgers? ›

Pound for pound, chicken is the choice that gives you fewer calories and saturated fats compared with beef.

Can I eat 1 fried chicken everyday? ›

Consuming foods fried in unstable oils can have several negative health effects. In fact, eating them regularly can put you at a higher risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Therefore, it's probably best to avoid or severely limit your intake of commercially fried foods.

How often is it OK to eat fried chicken? ›

As a general rule, food of this type twice a week or more should not be consumed. Doing so presents numerous health problems, including increasing the potential for many types of cancer.

Is fried chicken good for losing belly fat? ›

It is healthier to incorporate chicken into your weight loss diet as it is lean meat and low in calories. However, after frying chicken, you may put yourself at risk of high cholesterol. In addition, fried chicken has high calories, carbs, and many unhealthy fats. Therefore, it is best to avoid fried chicken.

Is eating fried chicken once a week ok? ›

Even if you're only eating fried foods from restaurants once or twice a month, your risk of certain health problems may increase. And eating them several times per week or more is linked with inflammation, weight gain, cardiovascular disease, metabolic issues, gut disorders, decreased physical performance, and cancer.

How long does it take to fully digest fried chicken? ›

Meat and fish can take as long as 2 days to fully digest. The proteins and fats they contain are complex molecules that take longer for your body to pull apart. By contrast, fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber, can move through your system in less than a day.

Is fried chicken once a week ok? ›

Fried chicken is beloved by many Americans, however, it's not something that should be enjoyed regularly. Let's make one thing clear—eating fried chicken every once and a while isn't a big deal. But, if you eat it daily, that's when some complications can arise.

What is the secret to keeping fried chicken crispy? ›

Bake in a high-temperature oven for around 5-8 minutes or until the coating is crispy once more. If you wish for the meat to remain crisp for a few hours following the cooking, lower the temperature to 200 degrees F (100 degrees C) and keep the chicken to rest until prepared to cook it.

Why do people soak chicken in milk before frying? ›

Marinating chicken with milk helps to tenderize the meat, making it juicier and more flavorful.

What does Soaking chicken in milk do? ›

The milk acts as a tenderizer, so if you can let the chicken soak in the buttermilk overnight, the crumbs will adhere well to the chicken and it will come out tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

How to keep the breading from falling off chicken fried chicken? ›

Always dip your chicken in beaten egg before coating

Dipping your chicken in egg helps the breadcrumbs, or whatever coating you use, adhere evenly to the outside of the cutlet. You should start with a thin layer of flour, which gives the egg a better surface to cling to, then the egg, then the coating.

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