Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (each about 6–8 ounces)
- 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice (for marinating)
- 1 large egg (for marinade)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for marinade)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for marinade)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for marinade)
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (for marinade)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (for dredge)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for dredge)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste (for aioli)
- 4 brioche buns, split
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (or preferred cheese)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup dill pickle chips
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for toasting buns)
- 4–6 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Whisk together buttermilk, dill pickle juice, egg, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl.
- Place chicken breasts in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
- In a large shallow dish, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, dried dill weed, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove a chicken breast from the marinade, letting excess drip off.
- Press the chicken firmly into the flour mixture to coat all sides and shake off excess flour.
- Optional: For extra-crisp crust, dip the coated chicken briefly back into the marinade and recoat in the flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven to 350°F, with oil deep enough to submerge the chicken 2–3 inches.
- Carefully add one or two chicken breasts to the hot oil without crowding and fry 6–8 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil and keep the crust crisp.
- Combine mayonnaise, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper and chill at least 30 minutes.
- Brush melted butter on cut brioche buns and toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp.
- Spread dill aioli on both the top and bottom buns.
- Assemble sandwiches: layer shredded lettuce on the bottom bun, add crispy chicken, top with a slice of cheddar and dill pickle chips.
- Close sandwiches with the top bun and serve warm.
Notes
For maximum crunch, rest fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels to avoid steam softening the crust., Do not overcrowd the oil during frying to maintain temperature and ensure crispiness., Dill in the flour mixture adds subtle herbal aroma to the crust., To keep chicken crispy if made ahead, keep on wire rack in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes before serving., Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days, stored loosely wrapped in paper towels inside airtight containers., Reheat in a 400°F oven on a wire rack for 8–15 minutes or in an air fryer at 350–375°F for 6–8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F., The dill aioli can be made up to 4 days in advance and also works well as a dip for roasted vegetables or fries., For a lighter version, bake dredged chicken at 425°F on a wire rack until cooked through (18–25 minutes) for less fried aroma but good texture., Cheese and pickle toppings can be varied according to preference (e.g., Swiss, pepper jack, cucumber slices)., Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F for juiciness and safety.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: Approximately 600-700 calories per serving (estimate, varies with specific ingredients)
- Fat: Approximately 30-35 grams per serving
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 45-50 grams per serving
- Protein: Approximately 35-40 grams per serving