Diner-style Chick-Fil-A Spicy Deluxe on a Bun

Try out our copycat Chick-fil-A Spicy Deluxe Sandwich. It features spicy breaded chicken that is fried and then paired with lettuce, tomato, and pepper jack cheese on a toasted bun. This is a must-try Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich recipe. This is one of our favorite homemade chicken sandwiches that is a homerun and will tickle your taste buds.

We also have the Chick Fil A nuggets recipe, and we also love these. But something about a juicy chicken sandwich always hits the spot. Learn how to make your usual sandwich at home. You can add on your usual sauce or hot sauce or eat it with a spread of mayo for a simple topping. The buttery bun is one of our favorite parts. Pair with some waffle fries or coleslaw for the lunch or dinner.

Pair your spicy chicken sandwich with this frosted limeade. Also, check out our loaded grinder sandwich recipe. It’s loaded with ham, salami, turkey, grinder salad, and more. Try our buffalo chicken sandwich if you are one who enjoys spice.

This Spicy Deluxe Chicken Sandwich Is…

• Copycat Chick-fil-A recipe that gives you the same flavor as ordering from your usual fast food restaurant.
• A spicy chicken sandwich is made with breaded chicken. You can easily make it a grilled, spicy deluxe.
• This recipe is made with simple ingredients you might have on hand in your pantry. You can change the ingredients to fit your special dietary needs or flavor preferences.
• This spicy sandwich is one of the most popular sandwiches in the fast food chain. You can make this on Sunday when you go through the drive-thru for this treat.

Ingredients You Will Need

We used the following ingredients for this spicy Chick-fil-A Sandwich. The measurements are in the recipe card below.

• Chicken: Reach for boneless skinless chicken breast that you will cut down and then pound flat.
• Dill Pickle Juice: It needs to be dill, not sweet. Dill pickles have the best liquid for the marinade.
• Flour: We used all-purpose flour, but you could swap the flour if you need to.
• Powdered Sugar: A little sugar helps to give this sandwich a tried and true Chick-fil-A flavor.
• Spices: Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, Paprika
• Egg
• Milk
• Peanut Oil: We used this to fry the chicken, but you can use any oil. Just make sure it has a high-heat smoke option.
• Hamburger Buns: Any bun works for this recipe, including potato buns, multigrain buns, gluten-free buns, etc. We recommend a soft bun.
• Butter: Real butter adds a buttery flavor to the toasted bun.
• Toppings: Pickles, Lettuce, Tomato, Pepper Jack Cheese

How to Make Chick-Fil-A Spicy Deluxe Sandwich

Full steps for this Chick-Fil-A Spicy Deluxe Sandwich are featured in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a quick walk through.

Step One: Soak your chicken in dill pickle juice for 1 hour up to 6 hours. We tend to do 1-2 hours, and it works great.

Step Two: Heat peanut oil in a large skillet to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Step Three: Drain off the pickle juice and pat the chicken dry. Then, in a bowl, add your dry ingredients and another bowl for an egg wash.

Step Four: Dredge the chicken in the milk and flour, shaking off excess flour. We repeat this step twice.

Step Five: Place the chicken in the hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.

Step Six: Toast your buns on the stove in a skillet. Once toasted, add the crispy chicken and veggies and devour.

Note: The cook time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken. The chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally.

How To Air Fry

Are you looking for a Chick-fil-A air-fried chicken sandwich recipe? If so, you can easily cook this chicken in your air fryer.

1. Marinate the chicken, then bread the chicken the same way as listed on the recipe card.
2. Then, you will place the chicken in your air fryer basket and liberally spray them with an oil mister.
3. Cook in a preheated air fryer at 370 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway through, and then spray again with oil.
4. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove and assemble the sandwich. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is fully cooked.

Storing Leftovers

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, you can refrigerate the leftovers. Don’t assemble the sandwiches until ready to serve. That way, if you don’t eat all your crispy chicken filets, you can refrigerate them easily enough.

Place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for 2-3 months. Then thaw in the fridge overnight, or defrost and heat straight from frozen.

Practical notes

Here are some questions for making these spicy Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches.

What comes on Chick-fil-A spicy Deluxe?

This spicy chicken sandwich is a breaded and fried crispy chicken, that is served on a toasted bun, with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and pepper jack cheese.

Can we fry chicken in olive oil?

Olive oil will begin to smoke and cause food to burn when it is heated to a higher heat. That is why you will find many use peanut oil or canola oil when it comes to frying.

Is the spicy Chick-fil-A sandwich good?

We like the spicy chicken sandwich as it is not too spicy. You can always ramp up the heat yourself if you are craving a stronger spice.

More Chicken Recipe Ideas

• Salsa Chicken
• Jalapeno Popper Chicken
• Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Parmesan
• Chicken Shrimp Alfredo

Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Facebook Pinterest or our Facebook Group

Ingredients

Makes 8 servings

• 4 chicken breasts, cut in half, and the pound flat.
• 1 cup dill pickle juice
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Topping Items

• 8 Hamburger Buns
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Pickles
• Tomato
• Lettuce
• Pepper Jack Cheese

Equipment

• KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer, One Size, Black
• Cast Iron Skillet

Method

1. Start by taking your chicken breasts, and slice in half to make a thinner piece of chicken.
2. Then you will want to use meat hammer and pound out the chicken to make it thinner. Too thick of chicken will not cook up properly. Now if your chicken is thin already skip cutting in half and pounding it out.
3. Soak your chicken in pickle juice in an airtight container for 1 hour up to 6 hours.
4. Drain off juice once it has marinaded and then pat dry with a paper towel.
5. Heat your peanut oil up in a large pot or skillet on the stove. You want it to read 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. While oil is heating up you will mix up your flour, powdered sugar, salt, and spices and pepper in a dish. Stir to mix.
7. Then create an egg wash in another bowl by whisking the egg with the milk.
8. Start by dredging the chicken pieces in the milk then the flour mixture. Coat both sides in the flour, shaking off excess.
9. We repeat the coating twice, and then fry for 4-5 minutes per side. Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165 degrees.
10. Then in a skillet on the stove heat a pan on medium heat. Butter the inside of the buns, and toast for 2-3 minutes or until golden.
11. Then assemble your spicy deluxe sandwiches, and serve and enjoy.

Air Fryer Direction

1. Follow the same direction as marinating chicken, and breading the chicken.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees.
3. Dredge in the milk mixture then flour mixture. Repeat for a thicker breading. Make sure to shake off excess flour.
4. Place chicken in the preheated air fryer. Spray liberally with an oil mister. This will make chicken golden brown. Cook for 5-6 minutes.
5. Flip chicken and spray the other side with oil liberally, and cook an additional 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
6. Then toast your buns, and assemble your Chick Fil A Spicy Deluxe Sandwiches!

Kitchen notes

Chicken

– The cook time varies as each piece of chicken will be slightly different in size. Cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees and is fully cooked. Cutting Chicken – If your chicken is very thick, slicing it to make it split into two thinner chicken fillets is what we did. If you bought thin filets you don't have to cut your chicken thinning it out. Soaking in Pickle Juice – This will help lock in moisture and slightly flavor the chicken. We prefer a less time to marinade so we soak generally 1-2 hours max. Spice Factor – These are not that spicy. If you want to make more spicy add in some red pepper flakes to ramp up the heat. Or do less cayenne for a milder fried chicken sandwich. Meat Hammer – You do not have to use a kitchen mallet. You can easily use a rolling pin to help thin out the chicken.