Thai Fried Chicken Sandwich (Printable)

Crispy Thai-spiced chicken with sriracha mayo and fresh veggies on brioche

# Components:

→ For the Fried Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons red curry paste
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder

→ For the Dredge

07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - ½ cup cornstarch
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ For Frying

11 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ For the Spicy Mayo

12 - ½ cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

→ For Assembly

15 - 4 brioche buns
16 - 1 cup shredded cabbage
17 - ½ cup pickled carrots
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

# Method:

01 - Whisk together buttermilk, fish sauce, red curry paste, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for optimal flavor penetration.
02 - Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish, mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
03 - Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or Dutch oven. Heat to 350°F, maintaining temperature throughout frying process.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Press each breast firmly into the flour mixture, turning to coat all sides thoroughly and ensuring an even layer adheres to the meat.
05 - Cook chicken breasts in batches for 6 to 8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
06 - Whisk mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl until smooth and fully incorporated. Adjust sriracha quantity to achieve desired heat level.
07 - Lightly toast brioche buns until golden brown and slightly crisp, being careful not to burn.
08 - Spread spicy mayo generously on both halves of each bun. Place fried chicken on the bottom bun, layer with shredded cabbage, pickled carrots, and fresh cilantro leaves. Crown with the top bun and serve immediately while chicken remains crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The red curry marinade creates layers of flavor you cannot get from regular fried chicken
  • That sriracha mayo hits the perfect balance between creamy and fiery
  • Crispy cabbage and pickled carrots cut right through the richness
02 -
  • Letting chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels keeps the crust crispy longer
  • Oil that drops below 350°F makes greasy chicken with soft coating
  • Overcrowding the pan drops oil temperature fast. Fry in batches
03 -
  • Pounding chicken to even thickness guarantees uniform cooking and better texture
  • Letting dredged chicken rest for 5 minutes before frying helps the coating adhere better
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