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Donut Chicken Sandwich is sweet, savory, crispy, and delicious! This KFC copycat recipe is easy to make at home and full of flavor. Boneless chicken fillets are marinated in buttermilk, then fried to crispy perfection and sandwiched between delicious glazed donuts. You’ve never had a chicken sandwich quite like this!
If you love chicken and waffles, this recipe will be right up your alley. The homemade version is even better than the Donut Fried Chicken Sandwich served at KFC!
I love to recreate my favorite restaurant-style Sandwich and Burger recipes, including Travis Scott Burger, Zinger Burgers, and these Donut Chicken Sandwiches.
What is a Donut Chicken Sandwich?
As the name suggests, the Donut Chicken Sandwich comprises a crispy chicken fillet sandwiched between two glazed donuts. The combination of sweet and meat is reminiscent of Southern chicken and waffles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Boneless Chicken: I used chicken fillets from chicken breasts, but you can also use chicken thighs for this recipe.
- Chicken Marinade: Made of buttermilk, salt, and pepper.
- Dredging Mix: Made with flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, oregano, white pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and paprika
- Vegetable Oil: For frying
- Glazed Donuts
How to Make Donut Chicken Sandwich
Step 1: Marinate the chicken
Whisk together buttermilk, salt and pepper. Then add chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
Step 2: Make the dredging mix
Combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, oregano, white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and salt.
Step 3: Fry the chicken
- Place a deep fryer or large pot over medium-high heat and add 2 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 350˚F.
- Remove each chicken piece from the marinade. Shake to remove excess, and then place it in the dredging mix and coat thoroughly. Tap off the excess.
- Slowly lower the breaded chicken pieces into the oil. Fry each piece for about 10-15 minutes, turning each piece every 2 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a cooling rack. Let them rest for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble the sandwich
Place one donut on a plate, then add the crispy chicken on top. Add another donut on top.
Pro Tips
- Cut chicken breasts into thinner fillets for the best results: It’s best to cut them into pieces that are slightly bigger than your donuts.
- Marinate chicken for at least 3 hours: To get all that good flavor and for extra tender meat, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 3 hours or up to 12 hours.
- Make sure the temperature of the oil stays between 300-350˚F during frying: If the oil gets too hot, the chicken will be dry or burnt. Keep the oil at a steady temperature between 300 and 350˚F.
How Much is a Donut Chicken Sandwich at KFC?
At Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, you can cop a Donut Chicken Sandwich for $5.99. Make it a combo with an additional $2.00.
If You Like This Recipe Try These Out
I hope you like this recipe. If you try it, please comment below and let me know how your Donut Chicken Sandwich turns out!
Homemade KFC Donut Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken Fillet
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut half lengthwise
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Dredging Mix
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tablespoon salt
- 1/4 tablespoon paprika
For the Sandwich
- 8 glazed donuts
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, add buttermilk, salt and pepper. Mix well and add chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
- Make the dredging mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, oregano, white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- Fry the chicken: When ready to cook, place a deep fryer or large pot over medium-high heat and add 2 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 350˚F (177˚C).
- Working one at a time, remove each chicken piece from the marinade. Shake to remove excess, and then place it in the dredging mix and coat thoroughly. Tap off the excess.
- Slowly lower the breaded chicken pieces into the oil with a slotted spoon. You’ll notice that the temperature will drop slightly, so adjust the heat so that the temperature will stay between 300-350˚F.
- Fry each piece for about 10-15 minutes, turning each piece every 2 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a cooling rack. Let them rest for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the sandwich: Place one donut on a plate, then add the crispy chicken on top. Add another donut on top. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to keep the oil temperature between 300-350˚F.
- I suggest marinating the chicken for at least 3 hours for the juiciest and tender chicken. If you are in a rush, you can marinate for 1 hour, but don’t skip this process.
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