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Detailed view of the ultra-crispy breaded chicken crust with visible black pepper and lemon zest flakes.

Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich: The Ultimate Zesty Fried Chicken Guide

This Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich features an ultra-crispy, golden-fried breaded chicken breast infused with fresh lemon zest and coarse black pepper, served on a toasted brioche bun with creamy lemon aioli and fresh arugula.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Foundation
  • 2 large chicken breasts 450g total
  • 1 cup buttermilk 240ml
  • 2 brioche buns split and toasted
The Crust
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour 190g
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch 64g
  • 1 tbsp coarse-ground black pepper 6g
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest fine zest
The Sauce
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise 120ml
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice 15ml

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet For even frying
  • 1 Meat Mallet To pound chicken to even thickness
  • 1 Microplane For fine lemon zest

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. Submerge in buttermilk for 30 minutes.
  2. Mix flour, cornstarch, pepper, and zest. Dredge chicken, pressing to embed spices.
Cooking
  1. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken until deep golden-brown (4-5 mins per side).
  2. Layer aioli, chicken, arugula, and onion rings on toasted brioche buns.

Notes

Rub the lemon zest into the flour to release oils.
Always rest the breaded chicken for 10 minutes before frying to prevent the coating from falling off.