Sunny Anderson Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipes

SUNNY'S CLASSIC BBQ CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the brine and chicken: In a medium pot on high heat, add the tea, 1/4 cup salt and 1 cup water. Cook, stirring, until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Pour the cooled brine into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken thighs and breasts and refrigerate overnight.
• About 2 hours before grilling, remove the chicken from the bag and pat dry. Let rest on a plate in the refrigerator for 1 1/2 hours, then at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• For the sauce. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the ketchup, beer, brown sugar, paprika, chile flakes, garlic powder and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and the sugar is completely dissolved, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat a grill to high heat.
• Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken pieces. Over the direct heat, put the chicken on the grill on what would be the skin side. Grill until the chicken easily releases and there are grill marks, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip and move the chicken to the indirect heat area of the grill and brush with the sauce. Cover and grill until cooked through, brushing with the sauce again once or twice, another 6 to 8 minutes.

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, shallot, garlic, jalapeno, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Place the chicken breasts between 2 pieces of parchment paper and, with a rolling pin or a meat mallet, pound them until they are evenly 1/2 inch thick. Slice each piece of chicken in half crosswise so you have 2 pieces approximately the same size. Place the chicken in the marinade, making sure each piece is well coated, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to (but not more than) 24 hours.
• When ready to cook the chicken, preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan and place them in the oven.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, celery salt, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper and set aside.
• Pour oil into a medium (9-inch round by 4 1/2-inch high) Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, until it is 2 inches deep. Clip on a candy thermometer and heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, lift the chicken from the marinade, dredge it in the flour mixture, submerge it again in the marinade, then again in the flour mixture, lightly shaking off the excess. Transfer the chicken to a plate or sheet pan until ready to fry.
• When the oil is 350 degrees F, carefully lower 3 pieces only into the oil with tongs and adjust the heat to keep the oil at 350 degrees F. Don't crowd the chicken! Cook for 5 minutes, turning once to brown evenly. With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to the sheet pan in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Sprinkle all the chicken with salt and keep warm for up to 15 minutes, until ready to serve.
• To assemble, place the bottom of each bun on a plate, spread with some of the Buttermilk Herb Mayo, then a lettuce leaf, 4 pickle slices, then a piece of chicken. Spread the underside of the top bun generously with more of the mayo and place on top of the chicken, mayo side down. Serve while the chicken is still warm.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, scallions, parsley, chives, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

SUNNY'S SPICY BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, gochujang and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Pour into a resealable plastic bag and add the chicken. Seal and massage the bag to coat the chicken; refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
• In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Remove the marinated chicken from the bag and shake off the excess marinade. Drop all of the chicken into the flour mixture and toss to coat. Let rest, refrigerated, for 1 hour. Toss again, then rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, followed by 30 minutes at room temperature.
• In a cast-iron pan or deep fryer, add about 2 inches peanut oil and heat to 375 degrees F. Toss the chicken one last time, then shake off the excess flour. In batches, add the chicken gently to the oil and fry until cooked through and the juices run clear, 12 to 16 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• For the waffles: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the salt and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth, then add the milk, vegetable oil and almond extract. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the liquid ingredients and gently stir the batter with a wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the batter.
• Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lightly coat the top and bottom of the iron with cooking spray.
• Pour about 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup batter into the waffle iron. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a serving platter and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the waffles warm with the fried chicken and maple syrup.

SUNNY'S EASY CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
• Season each chicken breast with salt and pepper, then coat each breast with cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Press the chicken breasts into the mixture 1 at a time to coat on all sides, shaking off the excess. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake, flipping halfway through, until the juices run clear, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and turn on the broiler. Spoon the pizza sauce evenly over the top of each chicken breast and top with a slice of mozzarella. Place under the broiler and watch for the cheese to melt and bubble. Serve.

SUNNY'S EASY BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the marinade: In a bowl, add the yogurt, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Stir until everything is one color. Scoop into a large resealable bag and add the chicken. Leave on the counter at room temperature for 2 hours.
• To cook the chicken: In a large pan with straight sides on medium-high heat, add the butter and then the chicken chunks from the bag, discarding the marinade. Cook, turning, until some parts are browned but most are still white, about 8 minutes.
• For the sauce. Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, ginger and garlic to the pan. Things should be bubbly and hot. Stir to marry everything and when the pan smells like garlic and ginger, add the heavy cream and stir again until everything is the same color. Partially cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
• For serving: Stir in the cilantro and serve over rice with another sprinkle of cilantro.