The Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich from Smashburger features a juicy, crispy chicken breast tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, topped with creamy blue cheese crumbles, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomato, all nestled in a soft, toasted bun for a bold and flavorful bite.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Tongs
- Mixing bowl
- Sauce brush or spoon
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Toaster or grill
- Spatula
- Food thermometer
- Tray or plate for assembly
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 4 leaves romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 2 large tomato slices
- 2 soft sandwich buns
Ensure the chicken breasts are fully submerged in buttermilk for at least an hour to achieve maximum tenderness and flavor. Use a food thermometer to confirm the internal chicken temperature reaches 165degF for safe consumption. When coating the chicken, evenly mix flour with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to ensure consistent seasoning. Maintain vegetable oil at 350degF during frying to achieve a crispy exterior without overcooking. Your Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich copycat from Smashburger will deliver the perfect balance of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy blue cheese on a soft toasted bun.
Instructions
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness.
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk (at least 30 minutes).
- Mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Dredge marinated chicken in seasoned flour.
- Fry chicken breasts until golden and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
- Drain fried chicken on paper towels or rack.
- Toss fried chicken in buffalo sauce using a mixing bowl or sauce brush/spoon.
- Toast sandwich buns with toaster or grill.
- Wash and dry lettuce leaves and slice tomato.
- Place buffalo chicken on toasted bun bottoms.
- Top chicken with blue cheese crumbles.
- Add lettuce and tomato slices.
- Cover with top bun.
- Plate assembled sandwiches and serve.
Substitution
The Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich from Smashburger copycat menu allows easy ingredient substitutions, such as using ranch dressing instead of blue cheese crumbles for a milder flavor or swapping buffalo sauce with hot sauce mixed with melted butter for customized heat. If you lack a deep fryer, pan-frying the chicken breast in a skillet with vegetable oil works well to achieve a crispy texture. When preparing your chicken, marinate it overnight in buttermilk to enhance tenderness and flavor. You can use any sturdy sandwich bun like brioche or potato rolls if soft sandwich buns are unavailable for a slightly different texture. Ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165degF using a food thermometer for safe consumption.
Tips
Ensure your deep fryer oil maintains a steady temperature of 350degF (175degC) to achieve a crispy, evenly cooked chicken breast. Marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes in buttermilk to tenderize and infuse moisture, which prevents dryness during frying. Use a food thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165degF (74degC) for safe consumption. When tossing the fried chicken in buffalo sauce, coat it evenly but avoid soaking to retain crispiness in your sandwich.
Nutritions
The Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich provides a substantial protein boost from the chicken breast, essential for muscle repair and maintenance. Blue cheese crumbles add calcium and probiotics, supporting bone health and digestion. Buffalo sauce and spices contribute minimal calories but enhance flavor without added sugars. Your meal includes fresh lettuce and tomato slices, offering fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants to complement the rich proteins and fats.
Storage
Store leftover Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich components separately to maintain freshness. Keep the fried chicken wrapped in foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165degF (74degC) before serving. Store lettuce and tomato slices in a sealed container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture and keep buns in a bread box or airtight bag to prevent staleness.
Variation or Alternatives
Swap blue cheese crumbles for crumbled feta or goat cheese to create a milder, creamier flavor profile. Instead of deep frying, try oven-baking the chicken breasts at 400degF (200degC) for about 25 minutes to reduce oil usage while maintaining juiciness. Use a spicy ranch or garlic aioli in place of buffalo sauce for a cooling twist that still complements the crispy chicken. Toast your buns on a grill pan to add a subtle smoky char that enhances the sandwich's overall taste.
Allergies
The Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich contains common allergens such as dairy from blue cheese and buttermilk, wheat from the all-purpose flour and sandwich buns, and eggs may be present in the breading depending on the recipe used. If you have allergies to dairy or gluten, it is important to verify ingredient sources and preparation methods to avoid adverse reactions. Cross-contamination with other allergens is also possible in restaurant or commercial kitchens, so informing your server or chef about your allergy is essential.
Why this recipe?
The Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich from Smashburger offers a perfect balance of spicy Buffalo sauce and creamy blue cheese that excites the taste buds. The crispy chicken patty delivers a satisfying crunch while complementing the bold flavors, making it a popular choice among spice lovers. This sandwich stands out for using fresh ingredients and a signature sauce blend that's difficult to replicate. You should try making a copycat recipe to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal tailored to your preferred spice level and ingredient freshness.