Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich Copycat Recipe
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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! This is one of the best copycat Chick-fil-A recipes!
Let’s just all agree making spicy chicken sandwiches at home is going to be a new trend. It’s so much better than fast food, and after your first bite, you’ll be hooked.
Grab the chicken breast, and follow the steps to make this spicy deluxe chicken sandwich.
The spicy blend of peppers makes an incredible crispy chicken sandwich that tastes like it’s from the restaurant.
Anytime you have a piece of chicken in the house, make sure to also have colby-jack cheese to put on top!
Coked boneless breast of chicken is the must-have ingredient to make this copycat recipe at home! It’s just that simple to make this sandwich!
Table of Contents
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.
If you’d rather something lighter, try my Copycat Chick Fil A Cobb Salad!
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.
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!
Spicy Chicken Sandwich Chick Fil A FAQ
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Spicy Chick Fil A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups dill pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, (like Slap Ya Mama)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 6 sandwich buns (brioche or soft hamburger buns work great)
- 1 head lettuce, washed and torn
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 6 Colby Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cilantro lime dressing
Instructions
- Slice the Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to make 6 thinner cutlets.
- Marinate: Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag with the pickle juice. Seal and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your outdoor grill to 350°F, or heat a grill pan over medium heat.
- Season the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Grill the Chicken: Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Place lettuce and tomato on the bottom half of each bun. Add grilled chicken, top with a slice of Colby Jack cheese, and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon cilantro lime dressing. Finish with the top bun.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy hot with waffle fries, sweet potato chips, or your favorite slaw.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
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.
Originally published July 2021, updated and republished May 2024
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Weโre Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
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.
personally, I’d use dill pickle juice but that’s just my preference
Now I can have chick fil a on a sunday! This was amazing.
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.
Hi Austin!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Donna and Chad’s recipes never disappoint, and this Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich is no exception. Five stars!
Hi Ethan!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn