Spicy Chicken Sandwich is what’s on the menu today! Crunchy, juicy, spicy all in one bite.
If you are like me and love sandwiches, then this one is for you. Recently KFC announced it was bringing the Zinger sandwich to its menu in the US. Well did you know the Zinger sandwich was first created in 1984 in Trinidad?
I fondly remember growing up in Trinidad and going into town was like the highlight of our school vacation. Whenever we were would go into San Fernando or Princess Town, there was sure to be a stop at KFC. I know here in Minnesota KFC is not all that special, it has a lot of grease and fat and it just does not taste like Trini KFC.
I always got the Zinger combo which included a spicy chicken sandwich, slathered with mayo, some sad looking lettuce and not all the time tomato. This was served up with fries and a drink.
Let me back up a minute, first off, its a whole experience when you go to KFC in Trinidad. There is a very good chance they are out of chicken. Yes I said out of chicken…being that it is KFC and all. The lines are not long but the wait is HUGE. Just get in line and be prepared to wait a lifetime. Finally when it gets to be your turn, its most exciting to be greeted by the crabbiest person to work at KFC.
I truly believe that is a requirement when they hire you to work there, must be crabby and rude to the customers all the time. You gotta love it! Its like the when you land in Trinidad and you have to go through immigration in the airport…I think they are all related.
Anyway back to KFC…the Zinger chicken sandwich I believe was made with chicken breast and they also had a Cruncher, which was not spicy but more crunchier, hence the name. The cruncher was made with thigh meat. Recently, like within the last 2 years I believe they announce that they were bringing the Zinger here to the US. Of course I had to try it…sadly it was nothing like what I grew up eating.
I knew I had to try to recreate this sandwich. It is not the same, it never will be but it is darn close.
I am not sure what it was about both sandwiches, but it was definitely worth the fuss. I think KFC has its own mayo that they use, that has a different taste.
When I started testing out this sandwich, I went in all different directions. I tried using literally 16 different spices. But it was not the same. The seasoned flour would burn faster than the inside would cook. I also tried adding a teaspoon of corn starch to make it crispier. Don’t do that. Yes it was crispier but it was a hard crisp if that makes sense.
I used egg wash instead of just water, then I thought why would KFC use eggs? That is extra overhead expenditures for a company that big. So I decided to use water. I do not know if Trinidad uses green seasoning but I did in my recipe because I am anal like that. This is totally optional.
Its all about the spices and the technique used to create the ruffles in the chicken. I also tried breading the chicken and leaving it to sit a few hours. NO don’t do that as well. That only made the flour flat on my chicken. I wanted ruffles. In order to create that, you have to either use a basket or I used my hands, I gently shook off the excess flour using my hands like a cradle. This rocking motion is what creates the ruffles.
Another tip I learned is if you are doing a large amount of chicken, after a few rounds, sift out the clumps in the flour. This makes sure your breading is not clumpy. Toasting your buns before will also help as no one likes a soggy sandwich right?
This Spicy Chicken Sandwich was so yummy and it really did take me back home to Trinidad! Do not let all the spices scare you off. The same spices you will be using in the marinade, you will be using in the seasoned flour.
Check out the video below and give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more recipes like this. Next up I will be doing a popcorn chicken. It close…but still working out the kinks!
Click here for Spicy Chicken Sandwich recipe.
Also if you have not as yet check out the Spicy Fried Chicken recipe.
