The Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich features a crispy chicken filet topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onions, and smoky BBQ sauce, all nestled in a toasted sesame seed bun, delivering a savory and satisfying flavor experience.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Fry baskets
- Tongs
- Sheet pans
- Baking rack
- Cheese slicer
- Bacon cooker or oven
- Onion slicer
- Sauce bottle or ladle
- Bun toaster or grill
- Sandwich assembly station
- Heat lamps or warming station
- Gloves
- Spatula
- Knife
- Serving tray or basket
Ingredients
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast filet
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 slices smoked bacon
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fried crispy onions
- 2 tablespoons smoky BBQ sauce
- 1 sesame seed sandwich bun
The boneless, skinless chicken breast filet should be well-marinated in buttermilk to ensure tenderness and flavor absorption. Use a seasoned flour mixture with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a crispy, flavorful coating when fried in vegetable oil. Smoked bacon slices and cheddar cheese add rich, smoky notes, while fried crispy onions contribute a satisfying crunch. Toast the sesame seed sandwich bun properly to prevent sogginess and maintain texture. Your recreated Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich will capture the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and crispy elements just like the original from Arby's copycat menu.
Instructions
- Marinate chicken breast filet in buttermilk.
- Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Dredge marinated chicken in flour mixture until coated.
- Preheat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chicken filet in oil until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Place fried chicken on baking rack to drain excess oil.
- Cook smoked bacon slices until crispy using bacon cooker or oven.
- Slice cheddar cheese and prepare crispy fried onions.
- Toast sesame seed sandwich bun using bun toaster or grill.
- Place fried chicken filet on bottom bun.
- Top chicken with cheddar cheese slice and crispy bacon.
- Add fried crispy onions on top.
- Drizzle smoky BBQ sauce over the toppings.
- Cover with top bun.
- Serve sandwich on tray or basket.
Substitution
The Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich from the copycat menu mimics the crispy fried chicken filet layered with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onions, and smoky BBQ sauce, all encased in a toasted sesame seed bun. You can substitute smoked bacon with turkey bacon or a vegetarian bacon alternative if preferred, maintaining the smoky flavor profile. If a deep fryer is unavailable, pan-frying the chicken breast in a heavy skillet with vegetable oil can achieve a similar crispy texture. Use store-bought crispy onions or quickly fry thinly sliced onions yourself if pre-made toppings are not accessible. Toast the bun on a grill pan or in a toaster oven if a commercial bun toaster is not handy, ensuring your sandwich holds together and remains warm during assembly.
Tips
Your chicken filet must be fully submerged in the 350degF (175degC) oil for even cooking and to achieve the perfect golden brown crust. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to ensure tender, flavorful meat. Use a baking rack to drain excess oil after frying to keep the sandwich crispy rather than greasy. When assembling, evenly distribute smoky BBQ sauce and toppings to balance flavor in every bite.
Nutritions
The Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich contains approximately 650 calories, with 36 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbohydrates, and 38 grams of protein. The crispy chicken filet provides a good source of protein, while the smoked bacon and cheddar cheese add saturated fat and sodium. Your sandwich also supplies dietary fiber from the toasted sesame seed bun, as well as small amounts of vitamins and minerals from the spices and smoky BBQ sauce. Keep in mind that frying increases calorie content, so consider this if you are monitoring your fat intake.
Storage
Store the Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil to maintain its crispiness and prevent moisture buildup. Keep the sandwich refrigerated at or below 40degF (4degC) to ensure food safety and freshness for up to 2 days. Reheat gently using a toaster oven or conventional oven to preserve the crispy texture of the chicken filet and bacon without sogginess.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute the smoked bacon with turkey bacon or a plant-based alternative for a lighter or vegetarian option. Swap cheddar cheese with pepper jack or smoked gouda for a different flavor profile. Instead of frying the chicken, bake it at 400degF for 20-25 minutes to reduce oil use while still achieving a crispy texture. Consider using a garlic aioli or spicy mayo in place of smoky BBQ sauce to customize the sandwich's taste to your preference.
Allergies
The Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich contains common allergens such as gluten from the all-purpose flour and sesame seeds from the bun. It also includes dairy in the form of cheddar cheese and buttermilk, as well as possible egg traces in the crispy onions and BBQ sauce. If you have allergies to any of these ingredients, make sure to check with the restaurant before ordering to protect your health.
Why this recipe?
Arby's Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich menu is favored for its bold smoky flavor, tender chicken breast, and savory blend of smoked Gouda cheese, crispy smokehouse bacon, and BBQ sauce. You'll appreciate the balance of smoky and sweet flavors combined with fresh lettuce and tomato, delivering a satisfying, hearty meal. Replicating this sandwich at home is worth trying due to its unique flavor profile and high-quality ingredients that elevate the standard chicken sandwich experience. Making a copycat version allows customization and the enjoyment of restaurant-quality taste in your own kitchen.