What Is A Southern Style Chicken Sandwich? A Crispy Juicy Taste of the American South
The southern style chicken sandwich is an iconic American food that captures the essence of Southern cuisine With its crispy fried chicken, tangy pickles, cool lettuce, and creamy sauce all packed between two halves of a soft bun, it’s a hands-on meal that screams comfort and flavor But what exactly makes a southern style chicken sandwich special? Let’s take a closer look at the origins, ingredients, and cultural impact of this delicious southern staple.
Origins of the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich
While fried chicken has long been a part of Southern food culture, the southern style chicken sandwich as we know it today traces its roots back to the early 20th century. Back then, fried chicken sandwiches were commonly served in diners, roadside stands, and home kitchens across the South. The sandwich grew in popularity through the mid-1900s and became a menu staple at fast food chains like KFC and Chick-fil-A.
Over time, the basic recipe has evolved with creative twists – different breads, sauces, toppings – but the core elements remain fried chicken, pickles, and a soft bun. The southern style chicken sandwich has become so iconic that Chick-fil-A’s version was inducted into the Chicken Sandwich Hall of Fame in 2021!
Key Ingredients That Make It Southern Style
A true southern style chicken sandwich starts with the right ingredients:
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Buttermilk Marinated Chicken: Soaking chicken in buttermilk tenderizes it and adds tangy flavor.
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Seasoned Flour Coating: A spiced flour breading amps up the flavor when fried. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne.
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Crispy Fried Chicken: The chicken is fried until golden brown and juicy inside. The coating seals in flavor.
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Soft Bun: A pillowy bun – often lightly toasted – cradles the chicken and absorbs juices. Brioche and potato buns work well.
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Dill Pickles: Tart, crispy pickle chips cut through the richness of the fried chicken.
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Cool Lettuce: Crisp lettuce adds texture and moisture. Shredded lettuce or leaves work.
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Creamy Sauce: Mayonnaise or a spiced mayo gives creaminess to balance the crisp chicken.
Assembling all these components creates the quintessential southern flavor and experience.
How To Make Your Own Southern Style Chicken Sandwich
Want to recreate this sandwich at home? Here are some tips:
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Start with high quality chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness.
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Make the buttermilk marinade up to a day ahead to infuse the chicken with flavor.
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Set up a breading station with flour, buttermilk, and seasoned breadcrumbs for easy assembly.
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Use a thermometer to fry the chicken at 350°F for optimal crispness without overcooking.
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Toast the buns lightly while chicken fries. Spread spiced mayo on both halves.
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Layer the hot fried chicken, pickles, lettuce, and bun top to build the sandwich.
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Serve with classic southern sides like coleslaw, french fries, or potato salad.
The southern style chicken sandwich is all about balance – the crispy crunch of the fried chicken with the soft bun, the juicy meatiness with the tangy pickles, the spiced breading with the cooling lettuce. Mastering these elements makes for sandwich perfection.
The Signature Southern Style Chicken Sandwiches of Popular Chains
Fast food chains have put their own spin on this southern classic. Here are some of the most popular versions:
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Chick-fil-A: The original southern style sandwich. Juicy, marinated chicken with dill pickles on a toasted buttered bun. Signature Chick-fil-A sauce adds creamy, tangy flavor.
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KFC: KFC’s take features an extra crispy chicken filet and thicker pickle chips with mayo on a toasted bun. Spicy and non-spicy sauces available.
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Popeyes: Popeyes adds heat with spicy Cajun seasoning in the breading and serve it on a brioche bun with mayo and barrel cured pickles. Highly craveable.
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McDonald’s: McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich features a crunchy, juicy chicken breast topped with crinkle-cut pickles, shredded lettuce, and mayo on a toasted potato bun.
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Wendy’s: Wendy’s uses a panko breading on their chicken for extra crunch. It’s topped with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a toasted bun.
No matter what twists these chains put on it, the southern style chicken sandwich remains a beloved American classic.
Why The Southern Style Chicken Sandwich Is an American Icon
This sandwich has earned its place in American food culture. Here are some reasons it has become so iconic:
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It encapsulates comfort food. The southern style chicken sandwich is the epitome of hearty, indulgent comfort food with its crispy fried chicken and creamy toppings.
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It brings people together. Sharing these sandwiches and bonding over a love of food is part of the experience.
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It inspires fierce loyalty. People are passionate about defending their favorite chicken sandwich, whether it’s from Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, or elsewhere.
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It embodies southern hospitality. The act of making someone this delicious sandwich is a way of welcoming them and showing care.
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It’s customized and creative. While the basic recipe is standard, restaurants put their unique spin on flavors and toppings.
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It’s accessible and affordable. You can grab a southern style chicken sandwich just about anywhere without breaking the bank.
For all these reasons and more, the southern style chicken sandwich has earned its reputation as a quintessentially American food, joining the ranks of hamburgers, hot dogs, and apple pie. It’s a tasty symbol of comfort, community, and culinary creativity.
So next time you bite into that crispy, juicy, southern style goodness, appreciate just how much history and cultural significance is packed between that bun. It’s the perfect marriage of flavors that represents the very best of American cuisine.
Crunchy Corn Slaw Sauce
The topper to this Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich is the crispy, crunchy corn slaw. It is so yummy and really easy to put together! You can eat it on the side, but I like adding it right to the top of the fried chicken. It adds a cool, creamy flavor and the corn goes so well with the chicken. Here’s what to do:
- Use fresh or frozen corn kernals.
- Sautee them in a pan on the stove until they’re slightly caramalized and then give them a quick pulse in the food processor.
- Add some buttermilk, Ranch dressing and salt and pepper and pulse until just mixed in the food processor.
- Mix some of the sauce with some chopped cabbage and add to the top of the chicken.
- You can use more sauce as a spread on the top or bottom of the sandwich.
What Condiments Go on a Chicken Sandwich?
We love this recipe because, with the corn slaw sauce, you really don’t need any additional condiments! The slaw adds moisture and compliments the flavor of the chicken. If you want some ideas, you can add pickles, mayonnaise, hot sauce, tomato, lettuce, dijon mustard or bbq sauce.
The crispy fried chicken with southern style seasonings is what makes this sandwich “Southern fried.”
I have only fried the chicken, but you can bake it at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, but it won’t be as crunchy and juicy as frying. Always check the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees to make sure the chicken completely cooked through.
I find the breading on the outside of the sandwich will get soggy and fall off easily once it’s refrigerated, so it’s best to eat it fresh.
If you like this chicken sandwich, you will love these other easy, hearty and delicious sandwich recipes!
The Southern Style Chicken Sandwich War is OVER!!!
FAQ
What is the meaning of southern style chicken?
Fried chicken, also called Southern fried chicken, is a dish consisting of chicken pieces that have been coated with seasoned flour or batter and pan-fried, deep fried, pressure fried, or air fried. The breading adds a crisp coating or crust to the exterior of the chicken while retaining juices in the meat.
What is a southern style chicken sandwich at McDonald’s?
McDonald’s offers a “Southern-style” chicken sandwich known as the McCrispy. It features a crispy, fried chicken fillet on a toasted potato roll, topped with crinkle-cut pickles. A spicy version, the Spicy McCrispy, is also available, featuring a spicy pepper sauce.
How is Southern fried chicken different?
Southern fried chicken is pan fried, not deep fried or pressure fried. It is cooked only partially submerged in fat, with a good portion of the chicken in contact with the bottom of the pan. This is hotter and creates delicious mahogany-brown crust, while deep fried chicken merely reaches golden brown.”
What goes with southern style chicken?
- 01 of 40. Carrot Raisin Salad. Credit: …
- 02 of 40. Cucumber And Vidalia Onion Salad. …
- 03 of 40. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. …
- 04 of 40. Sweet Potato-And-Cabbage Slaw. …
- 05 of 40. Creamed String Beans. …
- 06 of 40. Summer Squash Skillet. …
- 07 of 40. Corn And Tomato Salad. …
- 08 of 40. Pimiento Cheese Cornbread.
What is a Southern Style Chicken Sandwich?
The Southern Style Chicken Sandwich is a McDonald’s chicken sandwich served on a hamburger bun with a southern fried chicken filet and pickles. It was first introduced in 2005 and was discontinued in 2015, but was announced to be brought back under the name ‘Crispy McChicken Sandwich’ in December 2019.
What kind of chicken is in a chicken sandwich?
A Popeyes chicken sandwich features a non-breaded white meat chicken filet that has been rubbed in a proprietary blend of blackened seasoning and fried. The sandwich comes on a toasted brioche bun with two barrel-cured pickles and mayo, similar to their classic chicken sandwich.
What is fried chicken sandwich?
This Southern-style fried chicken sandwich brings all the comfort and satisfaction of your favorite restaurant version right to your kitchen table. The combination of perfectly seasoned, tender chicken with that satisfying crunch makes every bite absolutely irresistible. Give it a try and watch it become your new go-to comfort food recipe!
What is in a southwest chicken sandwich?
Southwest Chicken 14.99 BBQ grilled chicken over chopped romaine tossed with jalapeño ranch dressing and topped with charred corn, avocado, cheddar jack, pico de gallo, crushed tortilla chips and crispy bacon. Handhelds Served with chips and a pickle unless noted (*) Buffalo Chicken Sandwich 12.99
What is a chicken brioche sandwich?
This is the kind of sandwich that makes you close your eyes on the first bite and do a little happy dance. We’re talking about crispy, golden chicken that’s so juicy it practically melts in your mouth, piled high on a buttery brioche bun with all the fixings that make your heart sing.
What sauce goes with fried chicken?
Sauce Options: While classic mayo is delicious, try spicy mayo (mayo mixed with sriracha), comeback sauce (a Southern staple), or even a drizzle of hot honey for sweet heat. Leftover fried chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.