Hot and Spicy Cheez-It Chicken Sandwich

What’s more American than the fried chicken sandwich? To celebrate the fourth this year, I fried up some chicken coated in crushed hot and spicy flavored Cheez-Its.

The spicy chicken sandwich was heavily influenced by my time spent working at Chick-fil-a. For instance, the chicken breasts get a nice brine bath in pickle juice. This gives the sandwich a special savory, pickle flavor, while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. It also pairs perfectly with the cheez-it crust, which by using the hot and spicy cheez-its, closely resembles the spicy flavor from Chick-fil-a’s spicy sandwich.

A few notes on this one: 

I would be interested in trying this again, with a little experimenting. I’m curious as to what it would taste like using plain cheez-its, or hell, any other of their varieties. I mean, doesn’t a white cheddar chicken sandwich sound amazing?

I would also be interested in seeing how it tastes baked, as opposed to fried. Would it maintain even more cheesy flavor? Someone try and let me know!

Also, as for toppings go nuts. I opted for a slice of romaine lettuce, a slice of pepper jack cheese and more pickles. But I’d imagine a spicy aioli, buffalo sauce, or even a blue cheese dressing would go great!

Time You’ll Need

  • 30 minutes prep
  • ~25-30 minutes cooking
  • Yields: 4 sandwiches

What You’ll Need

  • 4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
  • 32 oz jar of  dill pickle slices w/ pickle brine
  • 1 box of hot and spicy flavored cheez-its
  • 2 eggs, beaten for egg wash
  • ¼ cup of milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • Brioche buns
  • ¼ tsp cayenne
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Salt, to taste ~
  • 2 ½ cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Topping suggestions:

  • Cheese Lettuce
  • Blue cheese dressing
  • Dijon mustard
  • More pickles!

 What You’ll Do

  • Cover chicken breasts with plastic wrap. Using your fist or a tenderizer, beat chicken breast to tenderize and soften.
  • In a plastic bag or covered bowl, marinate the chicken in 32 oz of pickle juice brine. Refrigerate and let sit for half an hour.
  • In a large gallon size ziploc bag, place the whole box of hot and spicy cheez-its and crush down to a fine powder.
  • In a large skillet, heat 2 cups of oil over medium-high heat.
  • Create a dredging station for chicken. One bowl of beaten eggs and milk, one bowl of flour (+ cayenne, salt, black pepper, and paprika), and one bowl/bag of cheez-it powder.
  • Starting one at a time, dunk chicken in flour, then eggs, then the cheez-it coating.
  • Fry on a skillet, about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked all the way through.
  • Place and a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat for the rest of the chicken breasts.
  • Serve on a toasted bun with pickle slices and any other toppings!

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