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A delicious Gordon Ramsay chicken sandwich with grilled chicken, creamy coleslaw, and fresh greens on toasted bread.
Maryam

Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Elevate your sandwich game with this incredibly crispy chicken, marinated for tenderness and coated in a flavorful spice blend, all nestled in a brioche bun with a tangy spicy aioli and fresh toppings. A true Ramsay-inspired indulgence.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 850
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Buttermilk Marinade
  • 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts approx. 6-8 oz each, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce e.g., Frank's RedHot
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Crispy Breading
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste for heat
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or cooking spray, for air frying
For the Spicy Aioli
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise good quality
  • 1 tbsp sriracha or more, to taste
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 clove garlic minced very finely
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • pinch salt
For Assembly
  • 2 pieces brioche buns split
  • 4-6 leaves butter lettuce
  • 4-6 slices ripe tomato
  • 4-6 slices dill pickles optional, but recommended for tang

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Meat Pounding Mallet (or rolling pin)
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken Marinade
  1. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until uniform 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add the pounded chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Make the Spicy Aioli
  1. While the chicken marinates, prepare the aioli. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon mustard, finely minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust sriracha or lemon juice if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare the Breading
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined.
Bread and Cook the Chicken
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease or spray the air fryer basket.
  2. Remove one chicken breast from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge the chicken thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the breading adheres to all surfaces. Repeat with the second chicken breast.
  3. Place the breaded chicken breasts in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary). Lightly spray or drizzle the top of the chicken with vegetable oil. Cook for 10-12 minutes.
  4. Flip the chicken, spray or drizzle with more oil, and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).
  5. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest for a few minutes on a cutting board.
Assemble the Sandwich
  1. While the chicken rests, lightly toast the brioche buns. You can do this in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, in a toaster, or pan-fry them lightly in a dry skillet.
  2. Spread a generous amount of spicy aioli on both halves of each toasted brioche bun.
  3. Layer the bottom bun with lettuce, tomato slices, a crispy chicken breast, and dill pickles (if using). Place the top bun to complete your Gordon Ramsay Chicken Sandwich.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a dash of hot sauce directly onto the chicken before topping with the bun. The buttermilk marinade is key for tender chicken, so don't skip it! For pan-frying instead of air frying, use about 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry for 4-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.