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It’s been far too long since we’ve had any mention of buffalo chicken.
It seems I do this thing where I forget about the food my family loves most because I’m too busy trying my hardest to come up with new and exciting flavor combos to share with you all. Buffalo chicken is one of those dinners that my family will always love and never tire of. Even my dad, who says he doesn’t really like chicken, loves buffalo chicken…like most people. It’s kind of just and all-around highly relished item.
Anyway, when we were filming the video for this buffalo chicken quinoa salad, it got me thinking that I’ve never shared a recipe for a finger licking good buffalo chicken sandwich. As soon as I realized this I knew I had to share my recipe…but with a little twist. Because it’s me and adding my own little twist is what I do best!
With summer right around the corner, I can’t help but think about southern style foods…cornbread, sweet tea, fresh tomatoes, peaches, and fried chicken. This happens to me every May, and you know, I can’t really put my finger on just why it is that my mind sways towards this style of food. It’s not like I’ve ever lived in the south, but I think somehow it just reminds me of spring and early summer.
Whatever the reason, I’m not complaining. Southern food is the good for the soul kind of food that everyone loves. It’s Southern comfort food done in an easier, lighter, and slightly spicier way!
Full disclosure here, this may just be the best buffalo chicken I’ve ever made. The sweet tea really adds a special touch. The chicken gets soaked overnight in a sweet tea and buttermilk mix. If you don’t have time for an overnight soaking, an hour will do just fine, but the longer the chicken can soak, the more tender and moist it will be. The tea helps not only to give the chicken more flavor, but also to balance the heat of the buffalo sauce. It’s honestly a winning combo. So subtle that you aren’t quite able to decipher the sweet tea, but yet its sweetness enhances the flavors happening in this buffalo chicken. I know I am not making much sense, but just trust me. This is really good chicken.
And you know what the best part is? This recipe is so easy and involves no frying, heck yeah! I know you native southerners out there are probably rolling your eyes, and I’m sorry, I know fried chicken is great and all, but sometimes, oven-fried is really just the way to go. OKok and I mean, I kind of love it too. I don’t feel guilty or sick after eating it and my skin has zero grease burns. Yes, please.
I served my sandwich with some homemade greek yogurt ranch. You could also just use a little plain greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice, crumbled blue cheese, and a pinch of salt. If you aren’t a blue cheese fan, just use crumbled goat cheese. Or even better? Just melt a piece of cheddar right overtop of the chicken. YUM
Then top the sammies off with some shredded lettuce, carrots, and fresh avocado. The avocado is not traditional, but it seems that lately I’ve been adding avocado to just about everything, plus it’s so good for you.
Perfect sandwich though, right? It’s lightened up so we don’t have to feel guilty, yet totally delicious. Perfect for dinner tonight or for your next Sunday BBQ, which I’m hoping will be soon, because warm weather season is almost here…wait, it’s snowing…totally serious!
Literally cannot wait for warm weather…obviously.
Healthier Oven Fried Sweet Tea Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 1927 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut in half widthwise
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups sweet green tea
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 3 cups corn flake crumbs
- 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 8-12 brioche slider buns
- greek yogurt ranch, for serving
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- shredded lettuce, shredded carrots, microgreens, and sliced avocado, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Add the chicken to gallon size zip top bag. Pour the buttermilk, sweet tea and salt over the chicken. Toss well, cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.3. Add the corn flakes crumbs, flour, paprika and garlic powder to medium sized bowl. Stir to combine.4. Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, and dredge through the crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the chicken has been used. Make sure not to crowd your pan, if necessary use two baking sheets. Lightly brush the chicken with olive oil. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip the chicken over and continue cooking another 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.5. Drizzle the buffalo sauce over the chicken, covering it almost completely.6. To serve, stir the blue cheese into the greek yogurt ranch. Spread the greet yogurt on the bottom of each bun. Add the chicken and top with veggies and sliced avocado. Serve with buffalo sauce. EAT.
PS. I think this really needs to be called the Gerard Family signature sandwich…it’s so fitting.
We are HUGE buffalo chicken fans at our house Tieghan! Can’t wait to try these. Love that they aren’t fried.
YES!! These are for you then! Hope you love them Mary Ann!
How do you brush oil on the chicken without brushing the breading off? This sounds sooo good.
Hi Mary! I use a pastry brush to gently brush/dab the chicken with oil. Alternately, you can spray the chicken with and olive oil cooking spray. let me know if you have questions. Hope you the chicken and thank you!
Sounds amazing! I’ve never tried anything Buffalo, so clearly I’m missing out. 🙂
Yes!! You can totally start now!! Haha! Hope you love it Caroline!
A healthy chicken sandwich to take at my work. Thanks.
Hope you love it, thanks Abigail!
Tieghan, I’m intrigued but I’m vegetarian. How about a vegetarian adaptation or twist next? 🙂
OH! Love that idea! Maybe a cauliflower buffalo chicken sandwich…hmmm thinking about! Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
ps. if you want to make a veggie version, just slice cauliflower into rounds, roasted and then drizzle with buffalo sauce. YUM!
I don’t use wheat anything if I have a choice, nor do I ever use canola oil! That being stated, I know I will probably use either brown rice flour or coconut flour but either way, I’m in on this recipe & will let you know if the flours work!
That should work well! Let me know how it goes Barbara! Thanks!
YUM!!! This looks so good and semi-healthy. I try to always “oven fry” my chicken tenders and definitely going to do this as well. And…avocado? I love avocado and never thought to add it to this. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Yes!! Hopefully you will love it!! Thanks Penny! Let me know how it goes!
This one tickled my feathers, Tieghan!! I had a similar sweet tea marinated chicken sandwich from one of the gourmet food trucks when we visited Magnolia Farms (Jo and Chip Gaines place in Waco, TX) in March. I had to fight off each member of my family who were looking for a bite! It was amazing, and I am sure this one will be too!!
AH!! Must have been one delicious sandwich! Hopefully mine can come close to it! Thanks Leah!
These sandwiches would be gorgeous piled high on a platter for game day!! They look and sound delicious!!
Yes!! I would totally serve this on a game day! Thanks Deborah!
Wow! This looks delicious. I’m not usually a big fan of buffalo chicken but you have inspired me to give this a try!
Hopefully can change your look on it! Thanks Rosemary!
What is buffalo sauce?????????
Try Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce sold in the grocery store.
Yes, Franks buffalo sauce works great!
Hi Jeanne! Buffalo sauce is typically sold right next to the hot sauce, but I make my own with 1/2 cup franks hot sauce, 1/3 cup melted butter (can use olive oil too) and pinch of seasoned salt. Just mix it al together and done. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love the chicken!
How can you effectively brush oil on breaded pieces? Is there a recipe for buffalo sauce as it is not something that I am aware is sold in grocery stores here?
I usually spray both sides of breaded chicken (and my sheet pan) with an olive oil spray when oven baking to help it get brown and crispy. I use Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce (sold in the grocery store).
Hi Mimi! I use a pastry brush to gently brush oil over the chicken. Alternately you can use mist the chicken with and olive oil cooking spray. Buffalo sauce is typically sold right next to the hot sauce, but I make my own with 1/2 cup franks hot sauce, 1/3 cup melted butter (can use olive oil too) and pinch of seasoned salt. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love the chicken!
my mouth is WATERING at the thought of this. buffalo chicken will forever be one of my favorite foods…the crunch, the spice, the salt…& paired with the beer =) ah! just love everything about it! i’m excited to try your method for oven frying…i never have too much success with it but i’m sure you have tips that will help me perfect it! xx
I’m with you! It is one of the best flavors!
I really hope it goes well for you jess! Thanks so much!
Sorry, forgot to add…how much sugar do you use to sweeten the tea? Northern gal here!
Hey Patti! I used a homemade sweet tea that I sweetened with 1/4 cup of honey. If you buy unsweetened tea, just use 2 tablespoons honey for the cup of tea called for in the recipe. Let me know if you have questions.
Would it ruin it to use panko instead of cornflake crumbs? Looks amazing, thanks!
Hey Patti, no not at all. I think panko should work just fine. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the chicken! 🙂