Copycat Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Recipe – Crispy & Spicy

Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich delivers the perfect combination of crispy fried chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and creamy peppercorn ranch that rivals any chicken-focused restaurant. While Arby’s may be famous for roast beef, this sandwich proves their versatility with a tender buttermilk chicken breast that’s fried to golden perfection, coated in authentic buffalo sauce, and elevated with parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing. The result is a sandwich that balances heat, creaminess, and satisfying crunch in every bite.

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Why Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Works

This sandwich succeeds because it elevates the classic buffalo chicken concept with premium touches. The extra-crispy buttermilk coating creates an incredible texture that contrasts with the tender chicken interior, while the authentic buffalo sauce provides the perfect balance of heat and tang. The secret weapon is the parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing, which adds cooling creaminess and sophisticated flavor depth, transforming this from ordinary fast food into something special.

Why This Is the Copycat Recipe You Should Try 

This is a pretty straightforward version of a fried buffalo chicken sandwich. Some other copycat recipes call for using a beer-batter base or adding poultry seasoning, but there is no need to get that fancy.

This recipe allows the spice of the buffalo sauce and the flavors of the peppercorn ranch dressing to come through. 

Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Ingredients 

For the Fried Chicken:

• Hamburger buns – Soft foundation that holds all components without overwhelming flavors
• Chicken breasts – Lean protein that becomes tender and juicy when properly prepared
• All-purpose flour – Creates crispy coating base that adheres well and fries beautifully
• Salt – Enhances all flavors and helps tenderize chicken during preparation
• Black pepper – Adds gentle heat and aromatic complexity to the breading mixture
• Buttermilk – Tenderizes chicken while creating a tangy flavor and perfect coating adhesion
• Vegetable oil – High smoke point oil ideal for achieving crispy frying results

For the Buffalo Sauce:

• Frank’s RedHot sauce – Classic buffalo sauce base with perfect heat level and tang
• Unsalted butter – Creates smooth, rich sauce that coats chicken beautifully
• Worcestershire sauce – Adds umami depth and complexity to the buffalo flavor profile

For Assembly:

• Parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing – Cooling, creamy element that balances buffalo heat
• Iceberg lettuce – Provides fresh crunch and cooling contrast to spicy elements

Ingredient Notes

Frank’s RedHot is the classic hot sauce for making buffalo chicken, but if you prefer a different one, feel free to use it as a substitute.

Peppercorn ranch dressing is one of the show’s stars, so make sure to choose a good brand like the one from Twisted Ranch. You can always make your own if you prefer. 

How To Make a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich 

This recipe has many steps, but they are not complicated. Read all the instructions and go slow. To make things easier, the instructions are broken down into several sections.

Setting up the breading station:

1. Stir together the flour, salt, and pepper in a wide shallow baking dish. Add a few tablespoons of the buttermilk and mix with a spoon. You don’t want the flour to turn into a paste, but you need to add enough buttermilk for the flour to form tiny clumps. The small clumps will make the sandwich extra crispy. 

2. Pour the remaining buttermilk into another shallow baking pan.
3. Place a wire rack on top of a baking tray. 

Preparing the chicken patties:

1. Put one chicken breast inside a plastic bag and seal tightly, being sure to push out all the air. 
2. Use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to lightly pound the chicken until it is an even thickness of about one inch. 
3. Repeat with the remaining chicken breast.
4. Put the pounded chicken breast on a cutting board and use a knife to slice horizontally into two 1/2-inch pieces. 
5. Repeat with the other pounded chicken breast.

Breading the chicken:

1. Dry the chicken pieces with a paper towel.
2. Dip the chicken into the buttermilk and let the extra drip off.

3. Put the chicken into the seasoned flour and coat both sides. Shake off the excess.
4. Place on the wire rack and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

5. Let the chicken rest on the wire rack for at least five minutes to allow the coating to adhere.

Frying the chicken:

1. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a deep fryer or a heavy-bottom pan. The temperature is critical, so check it with a thermometer. 
2. Cook two pieces of chicken at a time in the oil for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Check that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F and place them on a clean wire rack over a baking tray.
3. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. 

Making the buffalo sauce:

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the butter, Frank’s RedHot sauce, and a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce. If you want spicy buffalo sauce, add some diced jalapeno peppers.
2. Heat, but don’t allow it to come to a boil by frequently whisking. 
3. Turn off the heat. 

Assembling Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich:

1. Spread softened butter on the hamburger buns and toast them under the broiler.  
2. Put a little peppercorn ranch on each of the toasted bottom buns. Add some shredded iceberg lettuce on top. 
3. Coat each fried chicken breast filet with a quarter of the buffalo sauce by tossing it in a bowl. 
4. Place the sauced chicken breasts on top of the lettuce. 
5. Spread a little more creamy parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing on the top buns and put them on the chicken pieces. 

The Best Sides for a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich 

Serve this Buffalo crispy chicken sandwich with fries, mozzarella sticks, or jalapeno poppers.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage: Wrap leftover sandwiches individually in plastic wrap and store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator
• Freezer Storage: Wrap chicken pieces individually in aluminum foil, place in freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months
• Air Fryer Reheating: Reheat at 370°F for 6 minutes (thawed) or 10 minutes (frozen), adding time as needed
• Oven Reheating: Reheat at 400°F for 12 minutes (thawed) or 18-20 minutes (frozen) until heated through

Love Arby’s? Try These Copycat Recipes

• Beef and Cheddar Sandwich
• Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich
• Tzatziki Sauce

Take a look at this guide to Arby’s Sauces.

Favorite Sandwich Recipes

• Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
• Buffalo Chicken Sliders
• Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
• Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Egg Salad Sandwich
• Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
• Loose Meat Sandwich
• Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets
• Taco Bell Sandwich
• Whataburger Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich

Check out my easy chicken recipes and the best sandwich recipes on CopyKat!

Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich – Easy Copycat Recipe

Make Arby's famous buffalo chicken sandwich at home! Crispy buttermilk fried chicken with buffalo sauce and parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing.

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Arby’s Recipes, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 440kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• vegetable oil for frying
• ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 4 hamburger buns
• 2 tablespoons peppercorn ranch salad dressing with parmesan
• ½ cup shredded iceberg lettuce

Instructions

• Place the chicken in a zip top bag, and use a meat mallet to gently pound the chicken to a uniform thickness of about 1/2 inch. If the chicken is 1 inch thick take a knife and cut the breast horizontally instead.
• Place the flour, salt, and ground black pepper in a pie plate. Add about 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk and stir. This will make a coating on the chicken with some extra crispy bits that your sauce can hold onto. The coating will look a little shaggy.
• Place the remaining buttermilk into another pie plate.
• Pat the chicken dry, dip it into the buttermilk, and shake off the excess.
• Fip the chicken into the seasoned flour, coating both sides. Shake off the excess.
• Place the chicken on a wire rack to rest for about 5 minutes.
• While the chicken is resting, add vegetable oil to a heavy-bottomed pot until it is 3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F over medium-high heat.
• Slowly place the chicken into the hot oil, 2 or 3 pieces at a time. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. If your chicken is large it will need to cook a little longer. You can test with a meat thermometer make sure the internal temperature is 165°F.
• When the chicken is done, place it on a clean wire rack as you continue to cook the remaining chicken.
• While the chicken is cooking, make the Buffalo sauce by placing the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, butter, and Worcestershire sauce in a small pan over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted, whisking the sauce from time to time.
• To toast the buns, spread a small amount of softened butter on the inside of the buns and place them under the broiler until they are golden brown.
• To assemble to sandwiches, spread about 1/2 tablespoon of peppercorn ranch onto each bottom bun. (If you really like ranch, you can spread a little on the top buns too).
• Top with shredded lettuce.
• Place the chicken in a bowl and drizzle the Buffalo sauce onto the chicken. Toss to coat the chicken with the sauce.
• Place the Buffalo chicken on top of the lettuce, cover it with the top bun, and get ready for a delicious messy sandwich!

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1533mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 3mg