Donut Chicken Sandwich

Ok hear me out. We all love the chicken and waffles trend. So why not take that sweet and savory combo to the next level and make a Donut Chicken Sandwich!?

honey mustard dripping off a fried chicken sandwich


 

If you’ve ever been to KFC (or even watched TV,) you’ve probably seen or heard about their donut chicken sandwich. Perfectly crispy fried chicken sandwiched between two halves of a sticky, sweet glazed donut. Are you drooling yet?

It was the start of the chicken sandwich wars, the newest fried chicken trend- you know when Kentucky Fried Chicken, Popeyes, TGI Fridays and every other fast food chain decided to come up with some over the top fried chicken breast sandwich. My first impression was EWWWW, but the sweetness of the donut combined with a chicken filet made sense to me. The doughnut sandwich it was!

head-on fried chicken sandwich on a plate

Donut Chicken Sandwich Ingredients

There isn’t really much to these sandwiches (besides a few ingredients and deliciousness, that is!)

ingredients for donut chicken sandwich
  • Donuts– You can’t really have a donut sandwich without donuts, right? I like to stick with just a simple yeast glazed donut for this recipe. You don’t want to use something like a jelly donut because that will get very messy when you try to cut it in half. The plain, neutral flavor of a glazed donuts allows you to appreciate the crispy, salty flavor of the fried chicken. Krispy kreme is the ideal donut, but your standard grocery store glazed is probably larger and will hold the chicken best.
  • Fried chicken tenders– chances are if you’re reading this recipe about a donut chicken sandwich, you aren’t trying to be particularly health conscious. I guess in theory you could substitute grilled chicken, but the crispness and flavor of fried chicken is what really sets this sandwich apart. Use leftover fried chicken, grab some hot and ready at your local grocery store or heat up frozen chicken according to package directions.
  • Honey mustard– No good sandwich is complete without the perfect sauce! Although simple, honey mustard in itself is both sweet and savory, so it is the perfect complement to this sandwich. It has just enough tang to really bring all of the flavors together.

Our spicy food lovers might also swap the sauces for Nashville Hot Sauce, honey habanero pickles and chipotle pepper mayo. Other might add American cheese, cheese sauce or sharp cheddar cheese. Some prefer a beef patty, and who am I to judge considering one of my favorites it pulled pork?

No matter how you make it, have napkins ready because they are messy and make sure to share it to social media, because it is sure to create a buzz.

Make It!

  1. The biggest decision of this sandwich is whether to use one donut or two. Either slice one in half and use it as a top and bottom or sandwich it all between two donuts. I usually slice one more because the sandwich gets too big for me to eat.
  2. Place hot, cooked chicken strips on the donut and smother with honey mustard.
  3. Top it off and enjoy it!
step-by-step images of how to make a fried chicken sandwich

Make Ahead & Storage

I’m going to give it to you straight- these aren’t the best as a make-ahead item OR leftovers. Enjoy them hot and fresh. They are a novelty item and they honestly don’t take a long time to make or assemble.

collage of donut chicken sandwich for pinterest

More fun donut recipes:

donut bread pudding corner

Donut Bread Pudding

Glazed donuts drenched in a decadent vanilla custard and baked until puffy, topped with cinnamon, nutmeg and a bourbon caramel sauce.
See The Recipe!
close up of a donut pulled pork sandwich

Pulled Pork Donut Sandwich

BBQ pulled pork topped with coleslaw and sandwiches between a glazed yeast donut.
See The Recipe!
serving platter of cinnamon sugar biscuits in the air fryer

Air Fryer Donut Recipe

Buttery and delicious Air Fryer Donuts in just 10 minutes and using only 4 ingredients. Coated in cinnamon sugar, these are going to be your new favorite!
See The Recipe!
close up of fried chicken sandwich smothered with honey mustard sauce
angle view of donut chicken sandwich

Donut Chicken Sandwich

5 from 9 votes
Crispy fried chicken sandwiched between a sticky, sweet donut makes this Donut Chicken Sandwich the ultimate sweet and savory!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich

Ingredients

  • 1 glazed donut , cut in half
  • 3 pieces chicken strips , hot and cooked
  • 1 tablespoon honey mustard sauce

Instructions

  • Place chicken stips on one half of the cut donut.
  • Smother with honey mustard sauce.
  • Top with other half of donut.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 293 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 9 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 5 mg, Sodium: 78 mg, Potassium: 11 mg, Sugar: 33 g, Vitamin A: 1 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 1 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 293
Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: donut sandwiches, fried chicken sandwich
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    I was skeptical too but this is so indulgent and delicious I enjoyed every bite! My nephew who loves doughnuts was a fan too. Thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    This is so wrong…that’s its SO right!!! Count me IN. Love sweet and salty together. These would be a fun brunch item!