Cajun Crispy Chicken Sandwich Garlic Aioli (Printable)
Golden fried Cajun chicken with creamy garlic aioli on a toasted brioche bun with fresh vegetables.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Cajun Crispy Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
11 - ½ cup cornstarch
12 - Vegetable oil, for frying
→ For the Garlic Aioli
13 - ½ cup mayonnaise
14 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
15 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ For Assembly
18 - 4 brioche buns, toasted
19 - 4 leaves romaine lettuce
20 - 4 slices ripe tomato
21 - 8 slices dill pickle
# How to Make It:
01 - In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for extra flavor).
02 - Mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
03 - In a shallow dish, combine flour and cornstarch. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and dredge each breast in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
04 - Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken breasts 5–7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F). Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
05 - Spread garlic aioli on both halves of each toasted bun. Place lettuce on the bottom bun, top with a fried chicken breast, tomato slice, and pickles. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The buttermilk marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender while that cornstarch flour blend creates the most satisfying crunch
- You can control the spice level perfectly for your crowd
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels keeps it crispy
- Hot oil temperature matters too much to skip the thermometer
03 -
- Pat chicken completely dry before marinating for better adhesion
- Double-dipping in buttermilk and flour creates extra thick crust