Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich

Ready for an Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich?

 

Did I really need to test this recipe for Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich so many times? Probably not. But hey, it had to be perfect!

Hot Chicken Sandwiches, y’all!

Regardless, I reserve the right to tweak this recipe for Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich in the future. I learned so much in the process of developing this recipe. But still, I think I have a lot more to learn!

For instance, what was super important was that the chicken was tender and crispy. My fried chicken is legendary, but this is not fried chicken. Chicken tenders are boneless and are usually quickly deep fried. My fried chicken is bone-in (tastier chicken) and is slowly pan fried, which takes at least 45 minutes. Milk and buttermilk are what I use in my fried chicken and the long frying times makes the crust crispy. However, the quick deep-frying time for chicken tenders needs a water-based batter for crispness. Milk and buttermilk give quickly cooked chicken a tender flaky crust. See? I learned something.

When you can’t get to Austin…

I also learned that I didn’t like coating the chicken tenders with just cornstarch. A flour cornstarch blend was the perfect coating for my Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich. The water-based batter using this same coating mixture made this recipe a bit easier too by cutting out a few steps.

Other recipes that I saw used complicated seasoning blends for the flavoring of the chicken and the hot drizzle. I stuck with the basics – salt, pepper and Tabasco. I like the searing hot vinegar snap of Tabasco and it is usually something I have on the pantry shelf.

The added paprika doesn’t really move the heat level needle in this recipe for Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich. Because the frying time is quick, the crust can look a little pale. I like the added redness that the paprika gives the crust.

And of course, you have to make your sandwich with Texas toast and sweet bread and butter pickles. The hubs makes great homemade pickles. I am trying to talk him into sharing his recipe so I can share it with you!