Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich Recipe – Easy Kitchen Guide

When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival a hearty chicken sandwich. The Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich shines on its own, yet it can be elevated by some perfect pairings. 

Think of sides like crispy fries or a vibrant coleslaw. A refreshing iced tea or a tangy lemonade can wash it down nicely. If you’re feeling adventurous, some spicy pickles on the side can add a nice crunch and kick. Creating a complete plate takes this delicious sandwich experience to the next level.

Ah, the Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich. Just the name conjures up images of golden-fried chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and that creamy ranch goodness. I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in this tasty treat more times than I can count. 

After some trial and error in the kitchen, I’ve devised a way to re-create this fan favorite right at home. Trust me, whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, a backyard barbecue, or simply indulging on a weekend, this recipe will not disappoint. So, let’s dive into how to make this delightful dish.

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What is the Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich?

At its core, the Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich is a classic sandwich that combines several textures and flavors. It starts with a tender, fried chicken breast, coated in a spicy buffalo sauce and topped with ranch dressing. 

All this goodness gets nestled between two soft potato buns. With crisp lettuce to balance the heat and a touch of creaminess from the ranch, it’s a sandwich made in comfort food heaven.

What Makes This Recipe Different from Other Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich Recipes?

What sets my version apart is the balance of heat and flavor. Instead of just dumping buffalo sauce on the chicken, I marinate the chicken in a buttermilk mixture. This process enhances tenderness while allowing the spices to penetrate deeply. The homemade ranch dressing brings an extra layer of flavor, far superior to store-bought versions. Each ingredient is chosen carefully, making this recipe not only delicious but also healthier than the drive-thru option.

How Does It Taste?

Imagine biting into that crispy chicken, the crunch giving way to juicy meat. The tangy buffalo sauce ignites your taste buds, and the cool ranch dressing balances that heat perfectly. It’s a dance of flavors that keeps your palate entertained with every bite. The potato bun adds a soft yet sturdy structure, supporting the sandwich without overpowering it.

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Dish

Here’s what you’ll need to gather for this incredible homemade buffalo ranch chicken sandwich:

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups cultured buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup spicy hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Ranch Dressing:

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup cultured buttermilk
• 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped dill
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

For Buffalo Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup Frank’s RedHot sauce
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of crafting this sandwich!

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, honey, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the chicken breasts and ensure they are fully submerged. Marinate for at least one hour in the refrigerator, allowing those flavors to soak in and the chicken to tenderize.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

In a separate bowl, mix flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sea salt. This seasoned flour will give the chicken that crunch that we all love.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade. Allow any excess liquid to drip off before dredging each piece in the seasoned flour mix. Make sure to coat it thoroughly for maximum crunch.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot (about 350°F), carefully add the coated chicken breasts. Fry them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy – the internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Step 5: Make the Buffalo Sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, whisk in Frank’s RedHot sauce and cayenne pepper. Stir until well combined and heated through. This sauce will bring the signature kick!

Step 6: Prepare the Ranch Dressing

In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cultured buttermilk, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt. Mix until everything is well blended and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Assemble the Sandwich

Start with a soft potato bun. Add a generous scoop of ranch dressing on the bottom half. Place the fried chicken breast on top, drizzle generously with buffalo sauce, and finish with a handful of fresh romaine lettuce. Cap it with the top half of the bun.

Tips & Tricks on Making Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich

1. Quality Oil: Use a good frying oil, like canola or peanut oil, for frying. It has a high smoke point and will result in crispier chicken.
2. Double-Dip: For extra crunch, dip the chicken in the buttermilk mixture again after dredging in flour, and then dredge it in flour once more.
3. Let It Rest: After frying, let the chicken rest on a wire rack to cool slightly and retain its crispiness.
4. Adjust the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of hot sauce in the marinade and sauce. Conversely, add extra cayenne if you love it fiery!
5. Make Ahead: Prepare the ranch dressing a day ahead. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Nutrition Information

whataburger buffalo ranch chicken sandwich recipe nutrition facts

How Do I Store This Dish?

Leftovers? They won’t last long, but if you have some, store any uneaten components separately. Keep the fried chicken tightly wrapped in foil or a covered container in the fridge for up to three days. The ranch dressing should sit in a separate container, lasting about a week.

When ready to reheat, use an oven rather than a microwave to retain that crispy texture. It works best at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

What Other Substitutes Can You Use in the Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich Recipe?

1. Chicken Thighs: Instead of breasts, use boneless skinless thighs for a juicier bite. The cooking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them.
2. Gluten-Free Flour: For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend. Your frying technique remains the same, ensuring crunchiness.
3. Plant-Based Chicken: For a vegetarian version, try crispy plant-based chicken patties. You’ll still get the crunch and flavor without the meat.
4. Greek Yogurt: Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy ranch dressing that packs in extra protein — plus, it’s a healthy swap!
5. Different Greens: If romaine isn’t your favorite, swap it out for butter lettuce or arugula. The flavors will still pop!

Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Ah, the Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich. Just the name conjures up images of golden-fried chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and that creamy ranch goodness.

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Author: Lori Walker, MS, RD

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 420kcal

Equipment

• Large Bowl

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups cultured buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup spicy hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 4 soft potato buns
• 1 tablespoon salted butter softened
• Ranch dressing
• Ranch Dressing Components
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup cultured buttermilk
• 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped dill
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• Buffalo Sauce
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup Frank’s RedHot sauce
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of crafting this sandwich!

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

• In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, honey, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the chicken breasts and ensure they are fully submerged. Marinate for at least one hour in the refrigerator, allowing those flavors to soak in and the chicken to tenderize.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

• In a separate bowl, mix flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sea salt. This seasoned flour will give the chicken that crunch that we all love.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

• Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade. Allow any excess liquid to drip off before dredging each piece in the seasoned flour mix. Make sure to coat it thoroughly for maximum crunch.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

• Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot (about 350°F), carefully add the coated chicken breasts. Fry them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy – the internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Step 5: Make the Buffalo Sauce

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, whisk in Frank’s RedHot sauce and cayenne pepper. Stir until well combined and heated through. This sauce will bring the signature kick!

Step 6: Prepare the Ranch Dressing

• In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cultured buttermilk, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt. Mix until everything is well blended and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Assemble the Sandwich

• Start with a soft potato bun. Add a generous scoop of ranch dressing on the bottom half. Place the fried chicken breast on top, drizzle generously with buffalo sauce, and finish with a handful of fresh romaine lettuce. Cap it with the top half of the bun.

Notes

• Quality Oil: Use a good frying oil, like canola or peanut oil, for frying. It has a high smoke point and will result in crispier chicken.
• Double-Dip: For extra crunch, dip the chicken in the buttermilk mixture again after dredging in flour, and then dredge it in flour once more.
• Let It Rest: After frying, let the chicken rest on a wire rack to cool slightly and retain its crispiness.
• Adjust the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of hot sauce in the marinade and sauce. Conversely, add extra cayenne if you love it fiery!
• Make Ahead: Prepare the ranch dressing a day ahead. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Keyword: Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

 Conclusion

Creating the Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich at home is not just a way to enjoy a restaurant favorite; it’s a culinary journey that brings satisfaction and delight. With a little preparation and the right ingredients, you can treat yourself and your loved ones to a meal that captures those crave-worthy flavors. 

So why settle for the drive-through? Next time you’re in the mood for some comfort food, whip up this sandwich and enjoy every bite. It’s a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss!

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Author Profile

Lori Walker, MS, RD

My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more