Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich

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This Chick fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich is grilled to perfection and topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Learn how to make Chick fil A chicken like the restaurant right at home!

A close up of a chick fil a spicy chicken sandwich on a plate


 

Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich

Since no one knows how long this will stay on the menu, it can’t hurt to have this recipe for a homemade Chick fil A spicy chicken sandwich in your collection.

Add a side of my copycat mac and cheese and you’ll never need to hit the drive-thru again!

If you love a good dose of heat in your food, try my buffalo burger with blue cheese crumbles. It tastes just like your favorite hot wings!

I also have a breaded alternative to this Chick fil A spicy grilled chicken sandwich that is mild in flavor and seasoned with a tangy buttermilk marinade.

ingredients for spicy grilled chicken sandwich

How To Make Chick fil A Chicken

Butterfly each breast to create six thin pieces. Brine them in pickle juice for one hour, then pat dry and add the seasonings to both sides.

Grill the meat, then stack it onto buns with all of your favorite fixings.

The classic Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich comes with pickle slices.

For a deluxe version, add green leaf lettuce, tomato slices, and Pepper Jack cheese — plus your choice of sauce.

My homemade recipe uses Colby Jack cheese instead, plus a spoonful of cilantro lime sauce.

For extra authentic flavor, butter the buns before toasting them to a perfect golden brown.

Chick Fil A Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t brine for too long! A couple of hours is fine, but you shouldn’t exceed 6 hours.

    The poultry will taste too much like pickles and have an unpleasant wet texture even after being cooked. 
  • Tip for slicing the meat: Lay one breast flat on a cutting board, then place your palm on top to hold it in place.

    Run a sharp knife through the middle to separate the top and bottom into equal parts.
  • Swap out the sauce. Packets of cilantro lime sauce come with the Chick fil A spicy grilled chicken sandwich, so we are using bottled dressing as a substitute.

    If you can’t find any at your grocery store, try a spoonful of Chick fil A sauce instead!
  • No grill? Use a large skillet to sear the meat on both sides until it is cooked all the way through.

    Or, try the air fryer and reduce the cooking time to accommodate the thinner pieces of meat.
seasoned chicken on grill pan next to tomatoes and pickle slices

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

It may be hard to save a leftover spicy chicken sandwich from Chick fil A, but this homemade version is perfect for meal prep!

Prep your toppings while you brine the poultry, then grills the breasts and let them cool.

Store each component (minus the buns) in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

When you’re ready to eat, warm the meat in the microwave or on the stove. Then, assemble and enjoy!

assembling spicy chicken sandwich

Spicy Chicken Sandwich Chick Fil A FAQ

Where can I find Cajun seasoning?

Most grocery stores and supermarkets should carry some form of this seasoning blend.

I prefer to use Slap Ya Momma — a popular Louisiana brand — for my homemade Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwich.

Why do I need to marinate in pickle juice?

It’s the secret ingredient used to get that signature flavor in your Chick fil A spicy chicken sandwich. Plus, the acid helps to tenderize the meat so it’s nice and juicy.

Which buns do they use for spicy chicken sandwich at Chick fil A?

The restaurant uses classic white buns, with multigrain and gluten-free buns available upon request.

I love to use brioche buns for this recipe, and you can brush them with a little butter to make your Chick fil A spicy chicken sandwich more authentic.

homemade chick fil a spicy grilled chicken sandwich

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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copycat chick fil a spicy chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and cheese

spicy chicken sandwich on bun with toppings

Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich

Donna Elick
This Chick fil A spicy chicken sandwich is grilled to perfection and topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Make it for dinner tonight!
5 stars from 3 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Grill
Servings 6

Ingredients
 

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 2 cups pickle juice
  • 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, like slap your momma
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 6 buns
  • 1 head lettuce
  • 1 tomato, sliced
  • 6 Colby Jack slices
  • 1/2 cup cilantro lime dressing

Instructions
 

  • Cut your chicken in half lengthwise, so you end up with two thin chicken breasts.
  • Place your chicken and the pickle juice in a gallon zip-top bag, seal the bag, and allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for one hour.
  • Preheat your grill to 350°F or your grill pan over medium heat.
  • Remove the chicken from the juice and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper over both sides of the chicken.
  • Grill your chicken for 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Place the lettuce, tomato slices, chicken, cheese, and one tablespoon of dressing on each bun.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 285cal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1535mg | Sugar: 4g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled image collage for chick fil a spicy chicken sandwich recipe

Originally published July 2021, updated and republished May 2023

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5 Comments

  1. It would be nice if the type of pickle juice was stated, any recommendations? There's a huge difference between a swwet mix or a spicy dill brine.

  2. 5 stars
    wow, this Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Donna and Chad’s Slow Roasted Italian website is out of this world! So easy to make and incredibly delicious.

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