Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food mashup with this French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich with Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe. It combines the crispy, juicy goodness of southern fried chicken with the sweet, custardy warmth of classic French toast, all elevated by a sticky, smoky bourbon sweet chili sauce that ties it all together perfectly. This sandwich is the kind of dish that makes brunch feel like an event and dinner a celebration, delivering layers of flavor and texture that will have you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, whether it’s bringing in crispy texture, rich flavor, or that irresistible sweet and spicy kick. Simple pantry staples come together beautifully to create a dish that looks as impressive as it tastes.
- Chicken Thighs: Juicy, tender, and perfect for frying – they stay moist under that crispy coating.
- Self-Rising Flour: Adds lightness and helps create the perfect crispy crust on the chicken.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken with acidity while imparting a subtle tangy richness.
- Brioche Bread: Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet — the perfect foundation for the French toast.
- Eggs: Used both in the marinade and the French toast batter for binding and richness.
- Apricot Preserves: Adds fruity sweetness that balances the heat in the sauce.
- Chili Sauce: Provides a mild spicy kick to keep things lively.
- Honey: Sweetens and helps the sauce achieve that gorgeous sticky texture.
- Bourbon: Brings smoky depth and warmth to the sweet chili sauce.
- Sriracha: A dash for extra heat and bright flavor in the sauce.
- Unsalted Butter: For frying the French toast to golden perfection without overpowering flavor.
- Milk: Lightens the French toast batter and creates a tender crumb.
- Almond Extract (or Vanilla): Adds a subtle nutty aroma that blends well with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt: Warm spices that bring comforting flavor to the French toast batter.
- Onion Powder, Garlic, Paprika, Tony’s Seasoning, White Pepper, Salt: A bold blend of spices that gives the fried chicken its irresistible kick.
How to Make French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich with Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by cleaning your chicken thighs and letting them soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. This simple step is a game changer – the acidity tenderizes the meat while the buttermilk adds a gentle tang that perfectly balances the savory spice rub you’ll coat them with next.
Step 2: Heat the Oil for Frying
While the chicken is marinating, preheat your oil in a Dutch oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature ensures the chicken becomes golden and crispy without absorbing excess oil. Maintaining the right heat is key for that beautiful crunch we all crave.
Step 3: Dredge and Fry the Chicken
Once marinated, dip the chicken in beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in the self-rising flour seasoned with onion powder, garlic, paprika, Tony’s seasoning, white pepper, and salt. Fry each thigh until they’re a deep golden brown, about 7 minutes per side, making sure they’re cooked through and irresistibly crispy.
Step 4: Prepare the Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce
The sauce is where fruity sweetness meets spicy warmth. Combine apricot preserves, chili sauce, honey, bourbon, and a dash of sriracha in a small pot and simmer until it thickens into a luscious glaze. This sauce makes the sandwich truly stand out with each sticky, flavorful bite.
Step 5: Make the French Toast
Whisk together eggs, milk, almond extract or vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Dip your brioche slices in this fragrant batter and fry them in butter until golden and slightly crisp on the edges. These slices will cradle the fried chicken perfectly, adding a tender, buttery, and sweet layer to your sandwich.
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich
Layer your golden fried chicken between two slices of that heavenly French toast, then drizzle generously with the bourbon sweet chili sauce. Every bite offers a delightful harmony of textures and flavors — sweet, spicy, crispy, and soft. You’ll want to savor every mouthful!
How to Serve French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich with Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro add a hint of brightness that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the sandwich. If you love a little crunch, thinly sliced pickles or a dollop of crunchy slaw lift the overall flavor experience without stealing the spotlight from the star of the dish.
Side Dishes
Pair this sandwich with crispy sweet potato fries, a light garden salad, or even creamy coleslaw. The variety of textures complements the sandwich’s sweet and savory notes, making for a complete and satisfying meal that never feels too heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress at your next brunch or casual dinner party? Cut the sandwich in half and arrange it on a rustic wooden board alongside small bowls of the bourbon sweet chili sauce for dipping. Adding colorful microgreens around the platter adds a pop of color that invites your guests to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To keep the flavors fresh, store the bourbon sweet chili sauce separately in an airtight container.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the fried chicken and French toast slices separately in freezer-safe bags for up to 1 month. This way, you can quickly reheat and assemble your sandwich anytime cravings hit without compromising texture or taste.
Reheating
Reheat the fried chicken in an oven or air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy again, about 10 minutes. Warm the French toast gently in a skillet or microwave to avoid sogginess. Reheat the sauce on the stove or microwave until warm and drizzle just before serving for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely. Chicken thighs provide extra juiciness and flavor, but chicken breasts work well too. Just be careful to not overcook them as they can dry out faster than thighs.
Is bourbon necessary in the sauce?
The bourbon adds a lovely smoky warmth and complexity, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute with a splash of apple cider vinegar or just omit it for a milder sauce.
What type of bread is best for the French toast?
Brioche is ideal because of its rich, buttery flavor and soft crumb. Challah or thick-cut white bread can be good alternatives if brioche is unavailable.
How spicy is the bourbon sweet chili sauce?
The sauce has a gentle kick with balancing sweetness from the apricot preserves and honey. If you like more heat, increase the sriracha or chili sauce slightly to suit your taste.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free self-rising flour and bread to adapt this recipe. Just ensure your flour blend has leavening agents for that light, crispy coating on the chicken.
Final Thoughts
This French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich with Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is pure joy on a plate, bursting with flavor, texture, and character in every bite. It’s a dish that transforms simple ingredients into something truly special, perfect for treating yourself or impressing friends at any meal of the day. Give it a try — you might just discover your new favorite sandwich!
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French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich with Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
A decadent French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich combining crispy buttermilk fried chicken thighs with sweet and tangy bourbon sweet chili sauce, nestled between buttery brioche French toast slices. Perfect for brunch or a comforting meal that balances savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 4 Chicken Thighs
- 2 cups Self-Rising Flour
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 1/2 tbsp Tony’s Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp White Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 Eggs (for dredging after marinating)
French Toast
- 4 slices Brioche Bread
- 4 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 tsp Almond Extract (or vanilla extract)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- Pinch Nutmeg
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter (for frying)
- Pinch Salt
Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 cup Apricot Preserves
- 1 tbsp Chili Sauce
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Bourbon
- Dash Sriracha
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Clean the chicken thighs and place them in a bowl with 1 cup of buttermilk. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably up to 2 hours, to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Heat Oil: In a Dutch oven or deep heavy-bottomed pot, heat enough oil to 350°F (175°C) to ensure perfect frying temperature for the chicken.
- Dredge and Fry Chicken: Mix the self-rising flour with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Tony’s seasoning, white pepper, and salt. Dip the marinated chicken first into 2 eggs beaten separately, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour. Fry the chicken thighs in the hot oil for about 7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare Bourbon Sweet Chili Sauce: In a small pot, combine apricot preserves, chili sauce, honey, bourbon, and a dash of sriracha. Simmer gently over medium heat, stirring often until the sauce thickens slightly and intensifies in flavor, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make French Toast: Whisk together 4 large eggs, milk, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Heat a skillet over medium heat with unsalted butter. Dip brioche bread slices into the egg mixture, coating evenly, then fry in the butter until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Keep warm.
- Assemble Sandwich: Place a piece of fried chicken on a slice of French toast, drizzle generously with the bourbon sweet chili sauce, and top with another slice of French toast. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer improves tenderness and flavor.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for crispy, not greasy chicken.
- Adjust sriracha in the sauce to control heat level.
- Use brioche bread for its buttery richness and soft texture ideal for French toast.
- This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh to preserve crispiness.
