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🍗🔥 This Cowboy Butter Crispy Chicken Sandwich is bold, buttery, and full of flavor! Crispy chicken, zesty sauce, and melty cheese on a toasted bun!
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If you love bold flavor and a little crunch, this cowboy butter chicken recipe will be a new favorite. Juicy chicken thighs are coated in crushed potato chips for the ultimate crispy chicken sandwich. The cowboy butter sauce brings garlic, herbs, and spice that take this meal to the next level.
If you’re looking for fried chicken sandwich ideas that are unique and packed with flavor, this one belongs at the top of your list. It’s the best crispy chicken sandwich for weeknight dinners or game day eats.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This cowboy butter chicken sandwich has a crunchy crust and a juicy center.
- The cowboy butter sauce is rich, garlicky, and slightly spicy.
- It’s one of the best crispy chicken sandwich recipes you can make at home.
- Great when you need fried chicken sandwich ideas beyond the usual.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
chicken
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs – substitute with chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time
- all-purpose flour – use gluten-free flour if needed
- thin potato chips – substitute with cornflakes or pretzels
- eggs – substitute with buttermilk for dipping
- butter – substitute with margarine if needed
- rolls – pretzel, ciabatta, or gluten-free bread
cowboy butter
- lemon juice – substitute with lime juice
- grainy Dijon mustard – substitute with yellow mustard, flavor will change
- mayonnaise – substitute with Greek yogurt
- Worcestershire sauce – substitute with soy sauce or tamari
- butter – substitute with margarine
- garlic paste – substitute with 1 minced clove
- smoked paprika – substitute with chili powder
- red pepper flakes – omit for less spice
- chipotle pepper – substitute with cayenne
- fresh thyme – substitute with 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- fresh parsley – substitute with 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- shallot – substitute with red onion
optional toppings
- tomato slices
- butter lettuce
- mayonnaise and/or Dijon mustard
- pepper jack cheese
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✨ Variations
- Make it a spicy cowboy butter chicken by adding extra red pepper flakes.
- Use brioche buns for a softer, richer base for your crispy chicken sandwich.
- For easy fried chicken sandwich ideas, swap the potato chip crust with crushed pretzels or panko breadcrumbs.
- Top with pickles for tangy crunch.
🔥 Tips
- Air fry at 380°F and flip halfway for an even crispy chicken sandwich.
- Always check that the internal temp reaches 165°F for safe cowboy butter chicken.
- Double the cowboy butter sauce to have extra for dipping fries or veggies.
- Toasting your bun makes this the best crispy chicken sandwich experience.
- Pound thicker pieces of chicken to even thickness for consistent cooking and crispiness.
❓ FAQs
The garlic, herbs, and spices in the sauce melt into the crispy coating, making it richer than a standard crispy chicken sandwich recipe.
Yes, you can cook the chicken and store it. Reheat in the air fryer before assembling the sandwich.
Try swapping sauces like buffalo, honey mustard, or chipotle mayo for new twists.
Yes! Slice large breasts in half lengthwise or pound them to an even thickness so they cook through without drying out.
Yes, it keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it come to room temperature or warm slightly before using.
Fries, onion rings, coleslaw, or a crisp salad all make perfect pairings with the best crispy chicken sandwich.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Sandwich
Toasted Pesto Chicken Sandwich
Sandwich
Lighter Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Chicken and Turkey
California Chicken Wrap
Cowboy Butter Crispy Chicken Sandwich
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Equipment
- shallow plates or bowls (for dredging)
- medium skillet (for toasting buns)
- cooking utensils or tongs
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour, or gluten-free flour, if needed
- 1 ½ cups thin potato chips, crushed
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 rolls, pretzel, ciabatta, or your choice of bread
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter, very soft but not melted
- ½ tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon shallot, finely minced
Optional Toppings
- 8 tomato slices
- 8 leaves butter lettuce
- mayonnaise or Dijon mustard
- Pepper Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare dredging station – Place flour, eggs, and crushed potato chips in shallow plates or bowls. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in beaten egg, and coat with crushed chips.
- Cook chicken – Air fry at 380°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Adjust time for thicker thighs.
- Make the cowboy butter sauce – Whisk all sauce ingredients together until well combined. Set aside.
- Coat chicken – While chicken is hot, coat generously with sauce on both sides. Alternatively, heat the sauce slightly and pour over chicken.
- Toast buns – Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet. Place buns cut-side down and toast until golden brown.
- Assemble sandwiches – Spread mayo or Dijon on buns if desired. Layer chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Top with the other bun and serve immediately.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Store cowboy butter sauce in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before using.
♨️ REHEATING
- Air fryer: 350°F for 3-4 minutes until warm.
- Oven: 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Skillet: Medium heat, 3-4 minutes per side.
- Microwave: 45-60 seconds, though chicken may lose crispiness.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze cooked chicken thighs on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Keep up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Trim fat from chicken thighs for a leaner sandwich.
- Double the cowboy butter sauce if you plan to make extra sandwiches later.
- Use pretzel buns, ciabatta, or soft rolls for the best texture.
- To reduce spice, omit red pepper flakes and chipotle.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Oven: Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Stovetop: Pan fry in 2-3 tablespoons oil over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side.
- Grill: Cook over medium-high heat, 6-7 minutes per side, brushing with butter sauce at the end.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Use leftover chicken in wraps or chopped on top of salads.
- Serve with extra cowboy butter as a dipping sauce.
- Slice chicken and add to quesadillas or tacos.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
