Six Crispy, Juicy, Fried Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Popeyes

You may have seen a lot of fried chicken sandwich photos this week or caught wind of the full-blown frenzy after Popeyes sold out of their hottest new sandwich. Well, not all of us are willing to wait in lines around the block, especially if we can make similar (if not better) fried chicken at home. Here, six of our tried-and-true fried chicken dishes that promise all the crunchy, crispy, juicy glory without the 30 minute line.

Fried Chicken Sandwich with Spicy Slaw

This fried chicken cutlet pairs best with a crunchy, spicy slaw like this one made from cabbage, carrot, mint, cilantro, chile, and lime juice. Pair it with a full-bodied wine and call it a day.

Classic Fried Chicken

Here’s your textbook fried chicken recipe. Chef Julia Lee mastered this recipe while working on the PBS shows of chefs Martin Yan and Jacques Pépin, and suggests always brining chicken so that it seasons all the way through.

Oven-Fried Chicken

Yes, satisfying oven-fried chicken does exist. A Sunset reader turned us on to this recipe and we’ve been oven-fried fans ever since. Plus, the savory-spicy breading is made from homemade breadcrumbs, cheese, and ground chiles.

Panko Chicken Bento Box

Coat your chicken strips in panko for a lighter take on fried chicken, and finish it off with homemade ginger ketchup and Japanese onigiri.

Dijon Chicken with Panko Crust

Here’s another panko chicken winner, but this time with an easy-to-make sauce made from Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, Asian sesame oil, and soy sauce.

Sunday Fried Chicken

This extra crunchy fried chicken recipe uses chicken breast or legs (up to you!) then coats them in a mix of Corn Flakes crumbs, thyme, and paprika. You’ll keep this dish in your recipe rolodex for years.