Popeyes Chicken Sandwich: Ultimate Review, Price & Taste Test

Popeyes Chicken Sandwich was launched in August 2019; it initiated a culture frenzy more intense than anything fast food had seen for years, which turned into the “sandwich wars”, igniting a fierce viral confrontation of fast food chicken that erupted on social media as both chains engaged in a heated back-and-forth as to which had the best chicken sandwich. But what made the Popeyes version so appetizing? There’s not much to the sandwich – a juicy, hand-battered chicken breast seasoned with Louisiana spices, fried, and served on a buttery brioche bun with pickles and either mayonnaise or spicy Cajun sauce on the bun.

What was most alluring about the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich was all the different flavours and textures- crunchy, peppery coating, tender, juicy chicken meat to bite into, the tartness of the pickles, and, if spicy, a generous sauce coating. Fans were excited about its flavours and boldness- many declared it so much better than its competitors; it balanced heat, sweetness, and crunch, with no one element dominating the overall flavour profile.

The following allergens are found in the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich:

Allergens

• Soy (found in the oil)
• Milk (included in the buttermilk batter for the chicken)
• Wheat (found in the bun and breading on the chicken, which contains flour)
• Eggs (used in the mayonnaise and  breading)

Calories

Calories: 380

Serving Size: 1 Burger

Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Craving Popeyes’ legendary chicken sandwich? Imagine savoring a homemade version that’s even crispier, juicier, and packed with flavor. We’ve cracked the code to their viral recipe—discover how to recreate this fast-food icon (with a few chef-approved upgrades!) in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Bun

The Popeyes Sandwiches are known for their soft and smooth buns that make you feel like you’re munching on a cloud. Here’s what you need to have for making the buns:

• 1/4 cup whole milk 
• 2 tbsp water 
• 2 tbsp bread flour 
• 1 tbsp sugar 
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast 
• 3/4 cup warm whole milk 
• 3 1/4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt 
• 1 large egg with yolk 
• 3 tbsp butter 
• Egg wash with 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water

Sauce

Well, how can we forget the signature spicy mayo sauce used in the Popeyes Sandwich, which is universally loved by all Popeyes Customers.

• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 cup mayo
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper 
• 2 tbsp chives 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Crispy Chicken Patty

For a Crispy Chicken Sandwich following ingredients are needed:

• Skinless chicken breast (3 pieces)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup pickle juice 
• 1 tbsp paprika 
• 1 tbsp cayenne
• 1 tbsp ground pepper 
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1 cup potato or corn starch 
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Frying oil 
• Chopped dill Pickles (for topping) 

Sandwich Preparation

Make Popeyes’ famous chicken sandwich at home with this surprisingly easy recipe! Total prep time is 4 hours and 35 minutes (including marinating time for maximum flavor), with only 20 minutes active time. This recipe makes 6-8 generous sandwiches—perfect for a crowd or meal prep. And leftover sandwiches will remain crispy and delicious for 2-3 days, stored properly in a container or bag. ProTip: The secret ingredient for that juicy, spicy explosion is all the extra, hands-off marinating time.

• Make the Base: In a medium-sized saucepan, add ¼ cup water and ¼ cup milk, place on medium-high, and heat until the milk and water warm (do not let it boil!)
• Make the Tangzhong: Gradually add the bread flour to the warm milk and water, mixing with a whisk and making a paste-like dough. Continue to mix it until it is quite thick and has some lumps; it does not need to be perfectly uniform. Remove from the heat and let it cool until you are ready to add it to the dough.
• Proof the Yeast: At the same time, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, yeast, and ¾ cup of warm whole milk. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will be frothy and bubbly.
• Make the Dough: After the yeast has proofed, add the salt and a portion of the bread flour; attach the hook and begin to mix on a medium speed. Add the eggs and extra yolks one at a time, mixing after each egg is incorporated.
• Add the Tangzhong: With the mixer still running and the hook attached, slowly pour the cooled tangzhong into the bowl, making sure it is fully incorporated into the dough.

Signature Sauce

• Add mayo and hot sauce to a bowl and stir with a spoon
• Now add salt, diced chives, cayenne, and smoked paprika to the mix
• Stir until you reach a light pink color.

  Chicken Patty

• Prepare the Chicken: Apply pressure equally to the chicken breast with a knife when cutting evenly to create a ¾-inch thick piece of chicken.
• Marinate: Whisk the buttermilk, pickle juice, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder together in a mixing bowl, and then place the chicken into the buttermilk marinade.
• Rest: Allow the chicken to soak in the marinade overnight (the longer the chicken soaks in the marinade, the better the flavor, but at least you need to soak it for 1 hour if you are short on time).
• Coating Mix: Whisk the flour, salt, and potato or corn starch together for the dry portion of the coating in another bowl. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of buttermilk into the flour mixture, and then with your fork, continue stirring to a shaggy, clumpy mixture.
• First Fry: Once the chicken has soaked, coat the chicken in the flour coating, and then place it into the oil, heated to 325°F. Fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken when golden brown, and allow it to rest.
• Temperature Change: Bring the oil temperature to 375°F.
• Second Fry: Once the oil has heated back to375°F, add the chicken back into the oil and re-fry to deepen the golden brown color. Fry until the desired level of brown is achieved, which usually only takes about 2-3 minutes.
• Season: Once removed from the oil, season with flaky sea salt while hot.
• Assemble: Take the burger bun and slice horizontally with a spoonful of the signature on both halves.
• Final: Place the chicken patty between the buns, and garnish with fresh dill pickle slices.

Chicken Sandwich Variations

Ready to elevate your homemade Popeyes-style sandwich? Keep the base recipe the same, but try these easy ways to achieve adventurous and bold restaurant-style results:

• Crunch and Freshness: For something crunchy and fresh, add crunchy lettuce, crispy bacon, and juicy slices of tomato between the bun and the chicken for texture and brightness.

• Undercover Sauce: Drizzle the patty with Popeyes’ signature Chicken Dipping Sauce (or a fave-copycat version of it) to achieve a true salty-and-sweet pairing.

• Mild and Spicy: Instead of mayo, smother the chicken patty with creamy Ranch dressing or use a smoky BBQ sauce to balance the heat of the Cajun spices!

Recommended Sides

You can try the following sides with the Popeyes chicken sandwich to create the ultimate meal:

1. Cajun Fries: Dip the Popeyes Cajun fries in the spicy mayo sauce or add them inside the burger for an added flavor.
2. Coleslaw: You can add the coleslaw inside the burger or eat it on your own. We recommend that you eat it separately as this won’t water down the burger’s tanginess. 
3. Onion Rings: You can try the onion rings that have a crispy exterior and a soft, sweet interior. Dipping them in the sauce will enhance the flavor and make you drool for more!

Review

Popeyes’ Chicken Sandwich delivers on its hype with superior crispy chicken and great flavor. It’s a top contender for the best fast-food chicken sandwich, especially if you crave that signature crunch. Get the spicy version if you like heat!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Popeye’s chicken sandwich launch was more than just a menu addition; it became a clear cultural and commercial paradigm shift in the overall fast food market from fast food traditionalists to a new set of realities. The product undoubtedly drove the successful demand, but it was not only the quality of the product, the marketing, and viral social media buzz, or how the combination all came together to inspire an enthusiastic “Chicken Sandwich War” with competitors, such as Chick-fil-A.

The ultimate scarcity of the chicken sandwich was frustrating to the original consumers but arguably created even more demand and buzz; this may serve as an example of how scarcity and memes generate consumer purchases in this reality. Even though the issues of supplying the product to the restaurants were a problem, Popeyes still enjoyed a large lift in sales and company/brand visibility.

What we learned from trying to unravel the mess of telling stories in this digital age and timing properly is that old-school advertisements can be strategically new-school social media advertisements. Ultimately, the chicken sandwich phenomenon changed the competitive landscape because competitors were trying to innovate the scarcity-driven demand that Popeyes created, and it proved that a good enough product launch timing could not only stop a competitor upfront but also take back market share and send loyal consumers away in seconds. Popeye’s success story became the model for food and virality, with the ultimate commodification possibly being a transition in American fast food culture.