Popeyes’ Fried Chicken Sandwich dominated 2019. But this Caribbean Style Fried Chicken Sandwich will dominate 2020. You have to try it to see why.
Recipe video:
Back in the summer of 2019, Popeyes had everyone going crazy about their chicken sandwiches. Unfortunately, I don’t live in the US so I was unable to get my hands on one of those sandwiches. I couldn’t see why everyone was so crazy about them. Thankfully, I came up with this bomb version of that sandwich by making this Caribbean Style Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Before testing this recipe, I wasn’t a fan of chicken sandwiches. I just didn’t understand why you would chose a chicken sandwich over a beef burger. However, I decided to try it and boy was I glad I did.
Obviously, the fried chicken is the most important part of this sandwich. If you don’t pay much attention to it the whole thing wouldn’t wow you. So I must emphasize a lot on having a great batter and making sure it is season to perfection.
In order for this recipe to have a Caribbean twist, I decided to brine my chicken in buttermilk for tenderness and green seasoning for flavor.
Without a doubt, the buttermilk makes the chicken tender and juicy. I always thought that those cooks on their cooking shows were just over exaggerating. But they are not kidding when they insisting on brining the chicken in the buttermilk.
In addition to the buttermilk, the green seasoning is the best part of this recipe. The flavor it gives to chicken is just extraordinary. Not even Popeyes can duplicate it. Green seasoning is famous throughout the Caribbean, we use it on fish, chicken, beef or whatever. Obviously it’s a staple in our kitchen.
Clearly, you cannot make a chicken sandwich without a good sauce. So I had to come up with something that would stand out and that will also help you travel to the islands.
Thankfully, I came up with this amazing spicy mango mayo sauce. It was so quick to put together and easy. And it really set the recipe off.
Before diving into the recipe, I thought I should go over some TIPS & TRICKS with you guys:
TIPS & TRICKS
- Brining the chicken: In order to get the right amount of juiciness and tenderness, I recommend brining the chicken overnight. I do not suggest brining it under 8 hours if you don’t have time because you want that chicken to soak up the buttermilk and seasoning. Brining is not only going to make it tender but also pack it with flavor.
- Frying the chicken: This is simple but important. I did a simple flour coating but I placed the chicken in a hot oil so the chicken would crisp up and cook and not soak up the oil.
- Choosing the right chicken: For this recipe, boneless chicken thighs are the best. If you cannot get your hands on the boneless ones then just simply cut out the bone. Make sure to use a meat tenderizer to get it as thin and tender as possible. Chicken breast will be too dry for this recipe and won’t soak up the flavor as good as the thighs.
I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Now, let’s get into it.
Caribbean Style Fried Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
Green seasoning:
- 1 cup Olive oil
- 8-10 sprigs Fresh culantro or cilantro
- 4-6 sprigs Scallions
- 4-6 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 4-6 sprigs Fresh parsley
- 4 medium Pimento peppers chopped
- 4 medium Garlic cloves chopped
- 2 stalks Celery chopped
- 1 medium Shallot or red onion chopped
Brine for the chicken:
- 4 Boneless chicken thighs with skin removed
- 1 & 1/2 cups Buttermilk
- 1/4 cup Green seasoning
- 4 tbsp Salt
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Paprika
Seasoning for the flour:
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Cayenne powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Garlic salt
Spicy Mango Mayo:
- 1/4 cup Mango purée
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Hot sauce
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Other ingredients:
- 1 cup Vegetable oil for frying
- Lettuce
- Burger buns (preferably brioche buns) toasted
Instructions
Making the green seasoning:
- Place all of the ingredients into a food processor.
- Blend until the mixture comes like a smooth paste.
Brining the chicken:
- Mix together in a bowl the buttermilk, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder and green seasoning.
- Add the chicken to the bowl, make sure the buttermilk covers the chicken.
- Cover with serum wrap and let it marinade for 8 hours or overnight.
Frying the chicken:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once you see the appearance of bubbles then you know it's hot.
- Remove the chicken from the fridge.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, paprika, black pepper, garlic salt, cayenne pepper and salt.
- Using clean tongs, shake off the excess liquid off the chicken but not all of it and coat with the flour. Make sure to coat the chicken generously.
- Once the chicken is generously coated, add to the oil. Fry for 7-10 minutes on each sides.
- Once the chicken is cooked, place on a plate with paper towel and repeat with the rest.
Making the mango mayo:
- Mix the mayonnaise, mango puréé, salt, black pepper and hot sauce.
- Mix until everything is combined.
Assembly:
- Dress the buns with the sauce.
- Top the bottom bun with the chicken, followed by the lettuce and the top bun.
- Enjoy!
Other chicken recipes you may enjoy: