Ingredients
– 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– ½ teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crispiness)
– Vegetable oil, for frying
– 4 burger buns
– Lettuce, for topping
– Tomato slices, for topping
– Sliced pickles, for topping
– Your choice of sauce (e.g., mayonnaise or ranch)
Instructions
Creating the Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich can be simple if you follow these steps:
1. Prepare Chicken: Start by slicing the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner fillets. This helps them cook more evenly and quickly.
2. Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, mix the buttermilk and lemon juice. Submerge the chicken fillets in the mixture. Allow them to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for optimal tenderness.
3. Prepare Breading Station: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes—one for flour mixed with baking powder, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The second dish should contain the remaining buttermilk. Fill the third with breadcrumbs.
4. Coat Chicken: Remove each chicken fillet from the marinade. First, dip in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Next, dip in the buttermilk again, then coat with breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to adhere.
5. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat enough vegetable oil over medium-high heat to cover the bottom of the pan. Wait until the oil is hot but not smoking.
6. Fry Chicken: Place the breaded chicken fillets gently into the oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. You can check doneness by cutting into the thickest part of the fillet; it should be no longer pink inside.
7. Drain Excess Oil: Once cooked, remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra oil.
8. Toast Buns: While the chicken is resting, toast the burger buns in the same pan until golden, adding a bit more oil if needed.
9. Assemble Sandwiches: Start by placing a piece of crispy chicken on the bottom half of each bun. Layer with lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Drizzle your choice of sauce on top.
10. Finish and Serve: Place the top half of the bun on, and your sandwiches are ready for enjoyment!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 sandwiches
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 30g