If you’re searching for that perfect balance of crunch, tang, and creamy coolness wrapped in a glorious sandwich, then you absolutely have to try this Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe. It’s one of those crowd-pleasing dishes that takes classic fried chicken to the next level with a fiery buffalo kick and a luscious dill-infused blue cheese sauce that brings everything together in a wonderfully vibrant way. Every bite bursts with emotion—crispy, spicy, cooling, and utterly satisfying. Let me walk you through how to make this unforgettable sandwich from scratch!
Ingredients You'll Need
All the ingredients for this sandwich are simple yet essential, each playing a key role to ensure your buffalo chicken sandwich shines in flavor, texture, and color. From buttermilk that tenderizes and adds tang, to the perfect blend of spices in the breading that create that irresistible crunchy crust.
- Chicken breasts: Halved and pounded thin to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Buttermilk: The secret weapon for tenderizing and infusing flavor into the chicken.
- Hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot recommended): Adds the classic buffalo heat and tang.
- Melted butter: Used both in the buffalo sauce and for toasting buns to enhance rich flavor.
- Brioche burger buns: Soft, buttery, and mildly sweet, perfect for holding all that crispy goodness.
- Spring mix or lettuce: Adds fresh crunch and balances out the heat.
- All-purpose flour and potato starch: The combo creates an extra crispy coating.
- Dried oregano, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powders, cayenne, salt, pepper: Spice blend for the breading to layer bold flavors.
- Sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, fresh dill, garlic, lemon juice, chives: Key components for the tangy, creamy dilly blue cheese sauce that makes the sandwich so special.
How to Make Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken
Start by slicing the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pounding them out to about a quarter-inch thickness. This step ensures the chicken cooks evenly and crisps up perfectly. Next, immerse the chicken pieces in buttermilk and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight—this tenderizes and adds a subtle tang. The buttermilk bath is absolutely crucial for juicy, flavorful chicken.
Step 2: Mix the Breading and Coat the Chicken
While the chicken marinates, whisk together your all-purpose flour, potato starch, and the blend of spices—oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Adding a little buttermilk to the breading mix creates those wonderful craggly bits that cling to the chicken like crunchy armor. Remove the chicken from the marinade and coat each piece generously, then let the coated chicken rest for at least 15 minutes before frying. This rest helps the breading stick and crisps up beautifully.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken to Crispy Perfection
Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. To test the temperature, drop a pinch of your breading mix into the oil; if it sizzles and crisps right away, you’re good to go. Fry the chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and irresistibly crispy. Drain on a wire rack to keep that crust crunchy without getting soggy.
Step 4: Coat with Buffalo Sauce
Whisk melted butter and hot sauce to create your buffalo glaze. Dip each fried chicken piece into this mixture, coating both sides thoroughly and letting any excess drip off. This step layers on that signature buffalo flavor and glossy, spicy shine. Place the sauced chicken back on the wire rack, ready for assembly.
Step 5: Make the Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce
In a bowl, combine finely chopped fresh dill, blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, chives, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until you have a creamy, tangy sauce that beautifully balances the heat of the buffalo chicken with bright herbal notes and sharp blue cheese punch. This sauce can be made up to two days ahead, which makes it a great prep step.
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich
Butter the brioche buns and toast them cut side down until golden brown—this gives a slight crunch and keeps the buns from getting soggy. Layer spring mix or lettuce on the bottom bun for refreshing crunch, add your buffalo-coated chicken, then dollop on the luscious dilly blue cheese sauce before capping it off with the top bun. The sandwich is now ready for that first glorious bite!
How to Serve Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Adding thin slices of celery or carrot sticks not only adds a fresh, crisp texture but also helps mellow the heat. A sprinkle of extra chopped dill or crumbled blue cheese on top can elevate the visual appeal and flavor intensity. This little touch brings your sandwich a gourmet vibe right at home.
Side Dishes
This sandwich pairs beautifully with crispy French fries, sweet potato wedges, or a crisp garden salad to balance the richness. For something lighter, cucumber salad or coleslaw with a zingy dressing makes a refreshing companion that won’t overpower the bold sandwich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the chicken sliced inside a wrap for a portable meal or place multiple mini sandwiches on a platter for parties or casual gatherings. You can also build a buffalo chicken bowl by layering the chicken, spring mix, and blue cheese sauce over rice or quinoa if you’re craving something different but just as delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain their textures and flavors. Keep the buns aside and toast fresh when you’re ready to eat to avoid them becoming soggy.
Freezing
You can freeze the fried chicken after cooling completely by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Blue cheese sauce is best made fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen to retain its texture.
Reheating
To reheat, bake the frozen or refrigerated chicken in a 400°F oven on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes to revive its crispiness. Microwave the blue cheese sauce gently or stir before serving. Toast your buns fresh for the best sandwich experience.
FAQs
Can I use other hot sauces besides Frank's Red Hot?
Absolutely! Frank’s is classic for buffalo chicken, but you can experiment with other cayenne-based hot sauces. Just adjust the quantity depending on your heat preference since some brands are spicier.
Is it necessary to use potato starch in the breading?
Potato starch is key for that extra crispy, light texture in the crust. If you don’t have it, cornstarch can work as a substitute but potato starch gives that unbeatable crunch every time.
Can I make the dilly blue cheese sauce vegan or dairy-free?
Yes, you can swap blue cheese for a vegan alternative and use plant-based sour cream. Fresh dill, lemon, and spices remain the same, so you still get that fresh and tangy flavor profile.
What’s the best oil for frying the chicken?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These oils allow the chicken to fry crisp without imparting unwanted flavors.
How do I make sure my chicken stays juicy inside while getting crispy outside?
Pounding the chicken thin ensures even cooking, and marinating in buttermilk tenderizes it beautifully. Also, frying at the right temperature keeps the exterior crispy while locking in the juices. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain consistent oil temperature.
Final Thoughts
Making the Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe at home is such a rewarding experience. Each step builds layers of flavor and texture that come together in one unforgettable sandwich. Whether you’re cooking for your family, friends, or just treating yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfied sighs around the table. Go ahead and dive in—you won’t regret it!
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Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich recipe features tender chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, coated in a flavorful seasoned flour mixture, and fried to golden perfection. Topped with house-made dilly blue cheese sauce and crisp spring mix on toasted brioche buns, this sandwich combines spicy, creamy, and crunchy elements for an irresistible treat perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved and pounded out to ¼” thickness
- 2 cups buttermilk
Breading
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup potato starch
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Buffalo Sauce
- ¼ cup hot sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot)
- 4 tbsp melted butter (plus more for toasting buns)
Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce
- ¼ cup sour cream + 1 tbsp
- 3 tbsp blue cheese crumbles
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp sea salt or kosher salt
For Assembling
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Spring mix or lettuce, for serving
Instructions
- Preparing the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces. Place them in a resealable bag or between plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are about ¼-inch thick. Repeat until you have 4 evenly pounded chicken pieces. Optionally trim for smaller portions.
- Marinating: Place the pounded chicken into an airtight container or resealable bag and cover fully with buttermilk. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Preparing Breading Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, potato starch, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder until combined evenly. Add a few tablespoons of buttermilk to this dry mixture and toss with a fork to create craggy clumps which help the breading stick better.
- Breading the Chicken: Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk marinade, letting excess drip off, then coat thoroughly with the breading mixture. Transfer the breaded chicken to a plate. Once all pieces are coated, let them rest for at least 15 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours. This resting helps the breading adhere during frying.
- Frying the Chicken: Add 2 to 3 inches of oil (vegetable or canola) to a large cast iron skillet and heat over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Test the oil temperature by adding a small pinch of breading; if it sizzles immediately without dissolving, the oil is ready. Working in batches of two, carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, frying each side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip gently. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil and keep crisp. Repeat until all chicken is fried.
- Preparing Buffalo Sauce: Melt butter and whisk with hot sauce until fully combined. Transfer the sauce to a bowl wide enough to dip the chicken pieces. Dip each fried chicken breast into the buffalo sauce, coating thoroughly on both sides. Return to the wire rack to let excess sauce drip off and keep crispy.
- Making the Dilly Blue Cheese Sauce: Finely chop the fresh dill. In a bowl, combine sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, minced garlic, lemon juice, dried chives, onion powder, black pepper, dill, and salt. Stir well to blend. This sauce can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Assembling the Sandwiches: Butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast them cut side down in a pan over medium heat until golden and slightly crisp. On the bottom bun, layer a handful of spring mix or lettuce, then place one piece of buffalo sauced fried chicken. Dollop the dilly blue cheese sauce on top of the chicken and finish with the top bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 4 hours but overnight yields best tenderness and flavor.
- Resting breaded chicken before frying helps maintain a crispy crust.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for consistent frying results.
- The dilly blue cheese sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Adjust cayenne and hot sauce quantity to control heat level to your preference.
- Leftover sandwiches are best eaten the same day as breading may soften upon refrigeration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 4 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American

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