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Simple but bold and full of flavor, this buffalo chicken sandwich takes pan-seared chicken cutlets, coats them in buffalo sauce, and sandwiches them on a fluffy bun with plenty of ranch dressing and all your favorite toppings. Perfect for tailgates, family cookouts, or anytime you’re in the mood for something with a little kick.

Side view of a buffalo chicken sandwich with an orange-colored grilled chicken breast, a thick slice of tomato, green lettuce, and a fluffy bun on a blue-grey plate.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

This recipe is super simple but packed with flavor! The chicken is seasoned with a simple, totally effective spice mixture, then it’s pan-seared and tossed in tasty buffalo sauce. Finish it off with your favorite toppings and a drizzle of ranch dressing and you’ve got a delicious, bold sandwich that’s perfect for parties or enjoying all on your own.
We left off the breading, opting for a lighter sandwich that you typically get with fried chicken. The pan-sear method gives your protein more of a grilled feel, without actually having to fire up the grill. If you’ve got an indoor grill you could totally use it instead!
Feeding a group? Set your buffalo chicken sandwiches up buffet-style, letting everyone go down the line to build their own perfect sandwich. It’s fun, you can really dress it up if you want, and everyone gets everything they like on their sandwich without you having to remember each person’s preferences. Offer toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, ranch dressing, blue cheese crumbles, and pickles, and don’t forget the carrots and celery!

Chef’s Tips

Chicken cutlets are nice and thin, which means they cook quickly. Keep an eye on them as they’re cooking, and check them with an internal meat thermometer to be sure they’re not under or overdone. They’ll only need 3-5 minutes per side, so overcooking them is easier than you think!
You can pick up pre-packaged chicken cutlets at the store, or you can make your own. To do that, you just need to slice chicken breasts in half horizontally, like you’re slicing a hamburger bun. Whether you buy them or DIY them, make sure the cutlets are all as close in size and thickness as you can get them. If any have exceptionally thick spots, pound them thin with a meat tenderizer or a rolling pin (or even a heavy saucepan). If they’re unevenly thick, they’ll cook unevenly.

Overhead, angled view of a buffalo chicken sandwich on a plate. The top bun and slice of tomato are slightly askew.

Side Ideas For Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Sam Guarnieri

Sam is a travel, food, and fitness enthusiast from the New York metro area who loves creating new and inventive recipes. Her love of food goes all the way back to her early childhood, cooking alongside her mom and Nonna – the two best cooks she knows! She's a big believer that good-for-you food can still explode with flavor and (most importantly) be easy to make. When she's not in the kitchen, Sam can usually be found planning her next vacation, spending time outdoors, or bingeing the latest Netflix docu-series.

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