If you’ve ever craved something spicy, crunchy, and wildly satisfying—but also needed it to feel doable on a weeknight—Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw is about to be your new personality. (Kidding. Mostly.) It’s got that shatter-crisp fried chicken, a saucy buffalo kick, and a cool ranch slaw that swoops in like the responsible friend who keeps everyone hydrated.
I’m Aneta from Chicken Magic Recipes, and this is exactly the kind of meal I make when I want my family to think I worked way harder than I did. Let’s cook some magic.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw
- Crunch + heat + cool creaminess in every bite (aka: the holy trinity).
- Buttermilk marinade keeps the chicken juicy and tender, even if your day wasn’t.
- The ranch slaw adds freshness and crunch—no sad, soggy sandwich vibes here.
- It feels like restaurant food… but you’re wearing leggings, and nobody’s judging.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient earns its spot here—no freeloaders.
For the chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – juicy base of the sandwich
- Buttermilk – tenderizes and adds flavor
- All-purpose flour – the main crispy coating
- Cornstarch – extra crunch, less oiliness
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper – bold flavor in the dredge
- Salt & pepper – don’t skip these; they’re the “why does this taste so good?” part
- Buffalo sauce – the spicy, tangy signature
For the ranch slaw
- Green & purple cabbage – crunch + color
- Carrots – sweetness and texture
- Fresh parsley & dill – that herby ranch brightness
- Mayonnaise & sour cream – creamy ranch base
- Lemon juice & apple cider vinegar – tang to cut the richness
- Salt & pepper – to balance everything
For serving
- Brioche buns – soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold the party together
How To Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, mix:
- buttermilk
- a pinch of salt
- a dash of cayenne
Add the chicken breasts, cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight is even better).
This step is like giving your chicken a spa day so it stays juicy later.
Step 2: Make the Ranch Slaw
In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
- mayo
- sour cream
- lemon juice
- apple cider vinegar
- chopped dill
- chopped parsley
- salt and pepper
Add shredded cabbage and carrots, then toss until coated. Chill until serving.
Pro tip: The slaw gets better as it sits—like leftovers, but emotionally stable.
Step 3: Prepare the Dredge
In another bowl, mix:
- flour
- cornstarch
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- cayenne
- salt and pepper
Remove chicken from the marinade, let the excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mix. Press it in—don’t be shy. This is where the crunch is born.
Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
Fry in batches until golden brown and the internal temp hits 165°F.
Move the chicken to a wire rack (not paper towels). A rack keeps the coating crisp instead of steaming itself into sadness.
Step 5: Sauce the Chicken
Toss the hot fried chicken in buffalo sauce—or brush it on if you want a milder heat.
(And yes, it will look messy. Buffalo sauce is not here to be dainty.)
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich
Toast your brioche buns, then build:
- bottom bun
- buffalo chicken
- a generous spoonful of ranch slaw
- top bun
Serve immediately while everything is hot, crisp, and living its best life.
Aneta’s “Don’t Panic, You’ve Got This” Tips
- Want extra crunch? Double-dredge: flour mix → back into buttermilk → flour mix again. It’s dramatic, but worth it.
- Keep oil temp steady. If it drops too low, the chicken absorbs oil and turns heavy. (We want crispy, not “nap immediately.”)
- Slaw too thick? Add a tiny splash of lemon juice or a spoon of buttermilk to loosen it.
- Sauce control: If you’ve got picky eaters, sauce only half the chicken and let everyone customize.
- Don’t worry if your coating looks a little wild. That craggy, uneven texture is the crunchy magic.
A Little Personal Story From My Kitchen
The first time I made this, I was aiming for “fun dinner” and accidentally landed on “nobody speaks because they’re too busy chewing.” My family went full silent mode—the good kind of silent, where you know you nailed it. Now it’s my go-to when we need a pick-me-up meal, especially on those long days when cooking feels like one more thing on the list.

FAQs About Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw
Can I bake or air-fry instead of deep frying?
Yes! You’ll lose a bit of that deep-fried crunch, but it’ll still be delicious. Spray the coated chicken generously with oil and cook until it reaches 165°F inside. Keep the ranch slaw the same—Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw still shines.
How spicy is this sandwich?
It depends on your buffalo sauce and how much cayenne you add. Want it milder? Use less cayenne and brush the sauce lightly instead of fully tossing.
How do I store leftovers?
Store chicken and slaw separately. Reheat chicken in an oven or air fryer to bring back crispiness. Slaw stays best chilled and crunchy for about 2–3 days.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely. Thighs are extra juicy and forgiving—great choice if you want maximum tenderness.
Bring On the Crunch
If your dinner routine has been feeling a little “same old,” this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw is the kind of meal that snaps you out of it—in the best way. It’s crunchy, saucy, creamy, and just messy enough to feel like a treat. Make it once, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your “request dinner” in your house.
When you try this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw, tell me: are you team toss in sauce or team brush it on? I love hearing how you make the magic yours.
Keep the Chicken Magic Going (More Recipes You’ll Love)
- If you’re in a full-on buffalo mood after this sandwich, you’ll probably love Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowls—same spicy energy, but it’s the easy “everything on one pan” kind of dinner.
- Want something lighter on the bun but still big on flavor? Try Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps for that crispy-and-saucy bite with a fresh, crunchy twist.
- If the ranch slaw was your favorite part (no shame—ranch has a fan club), you’ll be obsessed with Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad—it’s quick, crunchy, and perfect for lunch the next day.
- And if you’re collecting sandwich wins like badges of honor, don’t miss Slow Cooker Parmesan Garlic Chicken Sandwich—it’s cozy, garlicky, and basically makes itself while you do literally anything else.
If you made this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw, I’d love to hear how it turned out—please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ below. Your feedback helps other hungry readers find their next favorite dinner!
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw
- Total Time: 35 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Ranch Slaw is the ultimate crunchy-spicy sandwich. Juicy buttermilk-marinated chicken is fried to golden perfection, tossed in bold buffalo sauce, and topped with creamy, herb-packed ranch slaw on a toasted brioche bun. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day, or anytime you’re craving serious comfort food with a kick.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
-
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved if thick)
-
2 cups buttermilk
-
½ tsp salt
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
-
1 cup all-purpose flour
-
¼ cup cornstarch
-
1 tsp paprika
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
1 tsp onion powder
-
½ tsp cayenne pepper
-
½ tsp salt
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
Oil for frying
-
¾ cup buffalo sauce
For the Ranch Slaw
-
2 cups shredded green cabbage
-
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
-
½ cup shredded carrots
-
½ cup mayonnaise
-
¼ cup sour cream
-
1 tbsp lemon juice
-
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
-
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
-
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
-
Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly
-
4 brioche buns, toasted
-
Optional: pickle slices
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, and cayenne. Submerge chicken and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor). -
Prepare the Ranch Slaw:
In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add cabbage and carrots. Toss until fully coated. Refrigerate until ready to use. -
Make the Dredge:
In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. -
Coat the Chicken:
Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to coat evenly. -
Fry the Chicken:
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 6–8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a wire rack. -
Sauce the Chicken:
Toss hot chicken in buffalo sauce or brush sauce over the top. -
Assemble the Sandwich:
Place buffalo chicken on toasted brioche buns. Top generously with ranch slaw and optional pickles. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra crunch, double dredge the chicken (dip back in buttermilk, then flour again).
Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F for best crisp texture.
Store leftover chicken and slaw separately. Reheat chicken in oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
For a lighter option, air fry at 375°F for 14–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour marinating)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1250 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg