Pickle-Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich

By Alexa Weibel

Updated Feb. 19, 2025

Pickle-Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
45 minutes, plus brining
Rating
5(2,461)
Comments
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Pointedly low-fuss and remarkably moist, this recipe gets its verve from pickles used two ways: Dill pickle brine seasons and moistens the chicken from the inside-out, while chopped pickles add zip to the coleslaw. Many fried chicken sandwich recipes use breasts, but thighs have more fat, which means they’re more flavorful and harder to overcook. The chicken also fries at a lower temperature, so it finishes cooking and its crust crisps at precisely the same time. The buttermilk is key to the crispness here, so avoid any substitutions. Paired with cornstarch, it forms a thick crust that shatters with each bite. This sandwich is best enjoyed immediately, with your favorite hot sauce and a pile of napkins. (Watch the video of Alexa Weibel making pickle-brined fried chicken sandwich here.)

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Ingredients

Yield:4 sandwiches
  • 4boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 ounces each)
  • 24dill pickle coins (about ¾ packed cup), plus ½ cup pickle brine
  • ½cup mayonnaise
  • 4teaspoons drained capers, chopped
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • ¾cup buttermilk
  • 1cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼cup cornstarch
  • 1tablespoon onion powder
  • Canola oil or other neutral oil, for frying (4 to 6 cups)
  • 2tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4soft buns, like brioche, split
  • 1⅓cups thinly sliced green cabbage (about 4 ounces)
  • Thinly sliced red onion, for serving (optional)
  • Hot sauce, for serving (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (32 servings)

368 calories; 22 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 309 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add the chicken thighs and ½ cup pickle brine to a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally to marinate evenly.

  2. Step 2

    While the chicken marinates, prepare the pickle mayonnaise: Finely chop 8 dill pickle coins. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, capers and chopped pickles; season generously with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

  3. Step 3

    When ready to cook the chicken, pour the buttermilk into a wide shallow bowl. In a separate wide shallow bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, onion powder and 1 tablespoon each salt and pepper; whisk to combine.

  4. Step 4

    In a large Dutch oven or deep cast-iron skillet, add 2 inches of oil and, over medium-high, heat to 325 degrees, about 5 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Working with one piece at a time, remove the chicken from the brine, transfer to the buttermilk and turn to coat. Lift chicken from the buttermilk, allowing the excess liquid to drip off, then add it to the flour mixture and turn to coat, patting extra flour mixture on top to ensure the chicken is well coated on all surfaces. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.

  6. Step 6

    Working in two batches, add the chicken to the hot oil and cook, turning every 1 to 2 minutes, until crust is deep golden and chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and season with salt and pepper. (An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest part of the thigh should read at least 165 degrees.) Repeat with the remaining chicken, adjusting the heat to ensure that the oil maintains a temperature of 325 degrees.

  7. Step 7

    Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large, preferably nonstick, skillet over medium. Add 2 buns, split-side down, and cook until warmed and toasted, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining butter and buns.

  8. Step 8

    Make the coleslaw by tossing the cabbage with half of the pickle mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper. Slather the remaining pickle mayonnaise on the bottom of the buns and top with the chicken, red onion, remaining pickles and coleslaw. Serve with hot sauce, if using.

Ratings

5 out of 5
2,461 user ratings
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Comments

Emily

We loved this with my slight mods 1. You only need the pickle mayo and pickle coleslaw. there is no need for more pickles on the sandwich. 2. Don't salt the coleslaw or the pickle mayo (pickle adds plenty). 3. No capers necessary for pickle mayo 4. halve the salt in the flour coating. 5. Don't butter buns (already super decadent) just toast in toaster oven. 6. Serve with a hot sauce (we used frank's red hot) it makes it extra good.

Madi

This was INCREDIBLE! My wife and I love to cook and this is honestly one of the best things to come out of our kitchen. Made a few minor adjustments just for personal preference. Would definitely not skimp on either the salt or butter... why would you?! - added Frank’s hot sauce to the mayo - double dipped the chicken (buttermilk, flour, buttermilk, flour) - served with only mayo and romaine, very simple, very delicious

Jeanne

I've made this family favorite as written at least ten times before. Tonight I rolled the dice and substituted red grouper for the chicken thighs. I followed the rest of the recipe faithfully. I must admit I was nervous plunking $35/lb. grouper into a pickle juice marinade, but the sandwiches were amazing. The pickle slaw and buttermilk batter did not drown out the taste of the fish (as I had feared), they enhanced it. I bet any firm white fish would work. This is a fabulous recipe.

CB

The reviews did not disappoint, one of the best dishes we have ever made and possibly one of the best NYT recipes. Did it with both chicken things and thin chicken breasts from WF, both were perfect. Marinated chicken for 8 hrs in leftover Grillo pickle juice I reserved just for this recipe. We grilled some of the brined chicken thighs, instead of frying, just to see what it would taste like, and they were also sublime. Buttering the buns not necessary, we used brioche buns from WF and quickly warmed them on the grill. I temped the oil each time I added a batch, and resisted the urge to overcrowd, this is one time that keeping the oil at the right temp is critical. Temped each chicken piece before removing from oil to avoid undercooked disappointment. Mayo mix, slaw and red onions are a must. Hot sauce was a nice addition. My very picky 10 yr old said this was the best chicken ever- that is a huge compliment. The four of us just munched in silence over the perfect harmony of flavors. There is nothing I would change in this receipt, everything was perfect.

Sofia

Loved this but proportions are way off, you will have a lot of leftovers if you follow the amounts suggested here. I would cut down everything for the breading mix by half and that should be enough, and also no need to use buttermilk, a regular egg wash or regular milk is more than enough too.

Khalid

I made it and did'nt put lots of salts and peppers (have personal issues with the pepper) and it came out excellent. The chicken is really juicy and crumbly from outside. I tend to overcook the burgers normally but if temperature is managed properly, this problem can go away. I want to make this atleast 5-6 times this summer for weekend afternoons.

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