French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich

French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich

Welcome to Eatimi! I’m Olivia Hart — a home-cook who believes delicious food doesn’t need complicated techniques. Here I share easy everyday recipes, family meals, quick ideas for busy days and helpful kitchen tips to make cooking simple and fun. My goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen and enjoy homemade food with joy, comfort and love. 💛

A few years back, I discovered the pure indulgence of a French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich at a local diner. The crispy, golden chicken tucked between sweet, fluffy French toast ignited a culinary spark in me. Finding the perfect balance of savory and sweet made every bite an explosion of flavor.

When I recreated this dish at home, it quickly became a family favourite. The process of marinating the chicken made it tender and juicy, while the French toast brought a delightful sweetness to the entire experience. Sharing this meal with loved ones over a relaxed brunch became a cherished tradition in our household.

Whether for a special occasion or a weekend treat, this sandwich will surely bring smiles and satisfaction. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can whip up this delightful dish. Let’s dive into how to make your own French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich.

French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich Basics

Fundamentals

The backbone of your French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich lies in its components: marinated chicken and perfectly prepared French toast. A quality marinade ensures the chicken stays juicy and flavorful after cooking. You’ll need two large boneless and skinless chicken breasts, buttermilk, spices, and breadcrumbs for that lovely crunch.

The French toast, made from thick-cut bread like challah or brioche, infuses sweetness and richness into the sandwich. Partnering crispy chicken with fluffy French toast creates an irresistible contrast.

Preparation/Setup

Begin by marinating the chicken breasts. Combine 1 cup buttermilk (or milk), 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. Ensure the chicken breasts are fully coated, then cover and refrigerate them for at least two hours. For optimal flavor, I recommend marinating overnight.

In another bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to create the egg mixture for the French toast. This step adds a lovely hint of vanilla sweetness that perfectly complements the savory chicken.

Ingredients

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need for this amazing dish:

• 2 large chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
• 1 cup buttermilk (can be substituted with milk)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 slices thick-cut bread (challah or brioche recommended)
• 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking the French toast)
• Maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, and whipped cream (for serving)

Directions

Once your chicken has marinated to perfection, follow these steps to assemble and cook:

1. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece in 1 cup of flour, ensuring an even coating.
2. Dip the floured chicken into the whisked egg mixture, followed by a coating of 1 cup breadcrumbs. This creates a crunchy exterior when cooked.
3. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add oil. Carefully add the chicken breasts, cooking them until golden brown on both sides, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes per side.
4. While the chicken cooks, prepare the French toast. Heat another skillet and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Soak each slice of bread in the egg mixture, allowing it to absorb for several seconds on each side. Cook until golden brown on both sides.
5. Assemble the sandwich by placing fried chicken between two slices of French toast. Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream to elevate the experience.

Techniques for the Best French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich

Technique

Cooking chicken thoroughly yet retaining moisture can be challenging. The marination step plays a vital role here. The acid in the buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken, allowing it to remain juicy even during cooking.

Monitor the heat while frying. A medium heat allows the chicken to cook through without burning the exterior. Use a meat thermometer and aim for an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).

Tips/Tricks

For an added layer of flavour, consider adding herbs to your marinade or experimenting with different spices such as cayenne pepper or Italian seasoning. Try letting the chicken marinate overnight for the best results. This overnight soak enhances absorption of flavors, resulting in a deeply seasoned and tender piece of meat.

In case of leftover chicken, it makes for excellent meal prep throughout the week. Slice leftovers for salads or wraps for quick lunches.

Perfecting Your French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich

Perfecting Results

Achieving the perfect crunch on the chicken is as simple as ensuring proper dredging before frying. The layering of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs is essential. If you notice soggy chicken post-fry, it may be due to an excess of marinade on the chicken. Always allow the chicken to drip off excess before dredging.

For the French toast, using stale bread will yield better results. Stale bread absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soggy, allowing for denser, fluffier slices.

Troubleshooting/Variations

If you find the outside of your chicken browning too quickly, lower the heat. Alternatively, if your French toast isn’t browning, increasing the temperature slightly can help. Consider leveraging different breads or even stuffing your French toast with cream cheese for a unique variation.

You can also modify the seasonings in your breading or dip. Adding cinnamon to the egg mixture brings delightful warmth, further enhancing the sweet-salty experience.

Serving Your French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich

Serving/Presentation

Presentation adds an appealing touch. Slice your sandwich in half to showcase the layers of crispy chicken and fluffy French toast. A generous drizzle of maple syrup, along with a dusting of powdered sugar, creates an inviting sight. Fresh fruit such as strawberries or blueberries can add a burst of colour and freshness, making it Instagram-worthy!

Pairings/Storage

While traditional pairings often include beverages, consider serving alongside a crisp green salad or seasoned sweet potato fries to balance the richness. Storing leftovers? Keep the chicken and French toast separate in the refrigerator, ensuring they retain their individual textures. Use within three days for the best flavour.

For reheating, an oven works wonders. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and reheat your chicken and French toast until warmed through, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Conclusion

A French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich brings together exquisite flavours and textures in a wonderful way. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. The layers of crispy, juicy chicken nestled between sweet, fluffy French toast creates comfort and delight in every bite. Bringing this indulgence to your kitchen is simpler than it seems, allowing you to create countless memories around the table with family and friends. Enjoy each moment—one delicious sandwich at a time.

French Toast Fried Chicken Sandwich

A delightful blend of crispy fried chicken and sweet, fluffy French toast that creates a satisfying sandwich for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Course: Brunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 680

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients  

For the Chicken Marinade

• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk) Can be substituted with milk
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts

For the Breading

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup breadcrumbs For a crunchy exterior

For the French Toast

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 slices thick-cut bread (challah or brioche recommended)
• 2 tablespoons butter For cooking the French toast

For Serving

• maple syrup
• powdered sugar
• fresh fruit
• whipped cream

Method 

Marinating the Chicken

1. Combine buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat chicken breasts fully with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight for optimal flavor.

Preparing the Egg Mixture

1. Whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in another bowl.

Cooking the Chicken

1. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off.
2. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in egg mixture, and coat with breadcrumbs.
3. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and cook chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side.

Making French Toast

1. Melt butter in another skillet and soak each slice of bread in the egg mixture before cooking until golden brown on both sides.

Assembling the Sandwich

1. Place fried chicken between two slices of French toast.
2. Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Notes

For the best results, ensure the chicken is thoroughly dredged before frying and use stale bread for the French toast. Allow leftover chicken to be sliced for meals throughout the week.