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Shake Shack Chicken Shack Sandwich

Shake Shack Chicken Shack Sandwich - recipe card
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A homemade version of the iconic Shake Shack Chicken Shack, featuring a juicy, buttermilk-brined chicken breast coated in a crispy, seasoned flour crust. Served on a soft potato bun with pickles and a tangy, creamy Shack Sauce, this sandwich delivers the perfect balance of crunch, zest, and savory flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170g each)
  • 1 cup buttermilk, well shaken
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying (or enough to reach 1/2 inch depth in skillet)
  • 4 soft potato hamburger buns, split
  • 4 leaves green leaf lettuce
  • 4 slices ripe tomato (about 1/4 inch thick)
  • 12 slices dill pickle chips (or 4 whole pickles sliced)
  • 1/2 cup Shack Sauce (recipe below)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne (if using). Add the chicken breasts, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours, to tenderize and flavor the meat.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, baking powder, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.
  3. Make the Shack Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off. Dredge each breast in the seasoned flour, pressing gently to adhere. Shake off any excess flour. Set the coated breasts on a wire rack for 5 minutes to allow the coating to set.
  5. In a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers (about 350°F / 177°C if using a thermometer). You want about 1/2 inch of oil in the pan.
  6. Carefully place the coated chicken breasts in the hot oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C.
  7. Transfer the fried chicken to a clean wire rack and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Keep warm in a 200°F / 93°C oven while frying the remaining batches.
  8. Lightly toast the potato buns in a dry skillet over medium heat, cut side down, until golden and crisp, about 1-2 minutes.
  9. To assemble: Spread a generous tablespoon of Shack Sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a piece of fried chicken, a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice, and 3 pickle chips. Spread a little more sauce on the top half of the bun and place on top.
  10. Serve immediately while the chicken is still crispy and the buns are warm.

Notes

Storage: Assembled sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh. To store, keep the fried chicken separate from the buns and toppings. Refrigerate the chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat: For best crispy texture, reheat the chicken in a 375°F / 190°C oven for 10-12 minutes, or until hot and crisp. Avoid microwave as it will soften the coating. The Shack Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. To freeze: The fried chicken can be frozen, uncooked, after breading. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Fry from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. Thaw before reheating if already cooked, or cook from frozen for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken shack sandwich, shake shack copycat, crispy chicken sandwich, buttermilk fried chicken, homemade fast food, American sandwich, stovetop frying, weeknight dinner, easy chicken sandwich, pickle sandwich

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/shake-shack-chicken-shack-sandwich/