How to: Make a Chick-Fil-A Sandwich at Home

Atlanta-based restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A has been in the news lately, and the U.S. is discussing more than just how delicious their signature, two-pickled chicken sandwiches are. I have plenty of thoughts on the subject, but I shan’t share them here, cause this post is about sandwiches. (If you are curious what I think, feel free to email me. I’d be happy to chat about it with you.)

Regardless of the politics, it is true that Chick-Fil-A produces a unique take on the chicken sandwich, and their signature flavors and textures are worth figuring out how to recreate at home. So, whether you’ll never go again, can’t seem to break through the demonstrations, or are just craving a super tasty chicken sandwich on a Sunday, check out this recipe for making one at home.  

Master foodhacker J. Kenji Lopez-Alt from Serious Eats reversed engineered the sandwich, which he describes as, 

A thing of simple beauty. A juicy, salty, crisply fried chicken breast. A soft, sweet, buttered and toasted bun. Two dill pickle chips. That’s all there is to it.

What makes it great is the perfection of each of the elements. That crisp golden brown crust spiced just right with a perfect sweet-salty-savory-hot balance. The way it coats that breast underneath; a chicken breast that defies all we know about chicken. This is no dry, stringy, bland chicken bosom, this is a breast of unparalleled juiciness, with a dense, meaty texture and deeply seasoned flavor.

Yep, the project was worth the effort, and you get to benefit from the results. Check it out:

The Food Lab: How to Make Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches at Home