Nostalgic Homemade Chicken Sandwich Inspired by the 80s
Growing up in the 80s meant indulging in our fair share of fast food, with Taco Bell and Burger King being frequent stops. One of the popular items at Burger King was their chicken sandwich. We thought we were making a healthier choice by opting for the fried and breaded chicken sandwich over the burger. The sandwich was simple—soft bread roll, crispy breaded chicken, mayo, and romaine lettuce. If we wanted to get fancy, we’d go for the “deluxe” version, which included a slice of tomato and American cheese.
My Mom’s Homemade Version of the Classic Chicken Sandwich
My mom had a knack for recreating fast food favorites at home, and her version of the Burger King chicken sandwich was so good that it earned a spot in our family recipe book. Over the years, I’ve created my own spin on her recipe, and it’s become a household favorite.
Ingredients for the Ultimate Homemade Chicken Sandwich
The components are straightforward:
- Soft French roll
- Thinly cut or pounded chicken breast
- Dijon mustard
- Breadcrumbs
- Mayo
- Crisp romaine lettuce
Simple Steps to Recreate This Nostalgic Chicken Sandwich
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting or pounding the chicken breast thin, then coat it with Dijon mustard. Next, dredge the chicken in toasted seasoned breadcrumbs for that perfect crispy texture.
- Bake the Chicken: Instead of frying, bake the breaded chicken in the oven for a healthier twist.
- Toast the Roll: Lightly toast the French roll to add a bit of crunch to the sandwich.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Spread mayo on the roll, add the baked chicken, and top with crisp romaine lettuce.
Elevate the Flavor with Fry Sauce
To give this sandwich an extra kick, my family loves to add a homemade fry sauce. This easy-to-make sauce includes:
- Mayo
- Sriracha
- Lime juice
- A pinch of salt
This tangy and spicy sauce perfectly complements the crispy chicken and adds a little extra zing to the sandwich.
Enjoy a Healthier, Delicious Version of a Fast-Food Favorite
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can recreate this nostalgic chicken sandwich at home. It’s a healthier take on the fast-food classic, and the addition of homemade fry sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser for the whole family.
Cheers,
Christina
Baked Crispy Baked Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp melted butter divided
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning optional
- salt and pepper
- 4 soft French rolls
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
- romaine lettuce
- mayonnaise or house sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°
- Combine 2 tbsp melted butter, garlic powder, italian seasoning and panko on a rimmed cookie sheet. Toast in the oven until lightly golden.
- After toasting bread crumbs, remove and set aside. Raise the oven temperature to 400°.
- Spray a baking rack with nonstick spray and place it on a rimmed baking sheet.
- On a cutting board, place chicken between two pieces of parchment paper and pound thinly. Season each side with salt and pepper. Brush one side with mustard and place mustard side down onto breadcrumbs. Gently press to adhere.
- Turn chicken over and brush with mustard. Again, gently press the chicken into the bread crumbs to make sure it is fully coated. Cook chicken until fully cooked though and outside is crispy, about 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare rolls. Open each roll and place on a cookie sheet. Brush each side with remaining 2 tbsp of melted butter. Sprinkle with garlic salt. When the chicken has just a few minutes remaining, place the rolls in the oven to lightly toast. Alternatively, broil the rolls after removing the chicken from the oven.
- After chicken is cooked, place on a clean cutting board and cut lengthwise so they fit into the roll. Smear mayo or house sauce onto roll, then place chicken and lettuce.