Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sandwich

	Why You’ll Love This Recipe
	Southern comfort classic – Crispy fried chicken and creamy pimento cheese combine for bold, nostalgic flavor.
Textural contrast – Crunchy chicken, soft bun, and tangy pickles create a perfect bite every time.
Crowd-pleasing – Great for casual dinners, backyard gatherings, and game-day menus.

What is Pimento Cheese?

There’s a reason pimento cheese is often called ‘the caviar of the South.’ While it isn’t a cheese in the traditional sense, it’s a creamy, spreadable blend made with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sweet pimento peppers. I also stir in green onions for extra depth of flavor. The cheeses are gently folded together so the mixture stays slightly chunky, with visible pieces of cheddar rather than a smooth purée. Pimento cheese can be made up to two days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Pimento peppers – The key ingredient in making pimento cheese spread is pimento peppers. The small, red, heart shape peppers are very mild and sweet in flavor. They can typically be found jarred or canned in most grocery stores. While commonly used in pimento cheese recipes or cheese balls, they are also used to stuff olives.
Seasonings – The flour used to dredge the chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, cayenne and paprika. This combination adds just a bit of spice.
Buttermilk – The typical American buttermilk is low-fat. It also has a rich, tangy flavor and a texture more similar to sour cream or yogurt than cream or milk. This makes it ideal for brining or dipping chicken thighs for tender, golden brown fried chicken.
Chicken – I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. Chicken thighs are both a cheaper cut as well as extremely flavorful. When they are fried the remain incredibly tender. If swapping in chicken breasts I would recommend slicing them thinner so they cook more quickly and don’t dry out.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Pro Tip

Let the fried chicken rest on a wire rack for a few minutes after cooking to keep the breading crisp and prevent sogginess from steam.

Swaps and Substitutions

Chicken: Use boneless thighs or chicken tenders instead of breasts for juicier meat.
Breading: Swap panko for crushed cornflakes for extra crunch.
Cheese: Substitute sharp cheddar or pepper jack in the pimento blend for added heat.
Bun: Use brioche, potato rolls, or ciabatta in place of classic buns.
Pickles: Try bread-and-butter pickles or spicy pickled jalapeños for different flavor profiles.

How to Make This Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sandwich (Step-by-Step)

dredged boneless skinless chicken thighs. — **Step 1: Heat the oil and dredge the chicken.**
Fill a large cast iron pan with vegetable oil so it reaches 2-inches up the pan. Heat the oil to 350°F (180ºC). In a medium shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt, paprika, pepper and cayenne. Second, whisk the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce together in a medium bowl. Working one piece at a time, dip chicken in the buttermilk mixture then dredge in the flour.

Fried boneless chicken thighs on baking rack. — **Step 2:** **Fry the chicken.** Shake off any excess flour and fry in the oil, flipping once, until the chicken is golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken and allow to drain on a paper towel-lined plate or a cooling rack.

Southern Pimento Cheese spread. — **Step 3: Make the pimento cheese.**
In a medium mixing bowl stir together the cream cheese, mayonnaise and Worcestershire until completely combined. Fold in the cheese, pimentos and green onion until evenly distributed.

Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe. — **Step 4: Assemble sandwiches and serve.**
Spread 2 tablespoons of the pimento cheese mixture on the bottom half of each of the buns and top with a piece of the fried chicken, bacon, tomato and lettuce. Close the sandwich and repeat with the remaining ingredients.

How to Serve Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sandwiches

As a sandwich: Stack the crispy chicken with pimento cheese and pickles on a toasted bun.
With sides: Serve alongside waffle fries, coleslaw, or dill pickle chips.
For sharing: Pair mini sliders on cocktail buns with dipping sauces for gatherings.

How to Store Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Chicken: Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Pimento cheese: Keep the pimento cheese spread refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
Assembly: Store components separately and assemble just before serving to maintain texture.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a healthier version of the pimento cheese fried chicken sandwich?

Yes. Bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying, and use a lighter pimento cheese made with Greek yogurt or part-skim cheese.

Is the pimento cheese fried chicken sandwich spicy?

The spice level depends on your seasoning; add cayenne or hot sauce to the breading or pimento cheese for extra heat.

What kind of oil should I use to fry the chicken?

Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, like canola or peanut oil, for even, crispy frying.

Can I prepare the components ahead of time?

Absolutely. Make the pimento cheese and bread the chicken ahead, then fry and assemble just before serving.

How do I keep the chicken crispy if making ahead?

Place the fried chicken on a wire rack instead of a plate so air circulates and prevents steam-softening.

Other Recipes to Try

If this pimento cheese fried chicken sandwich hit all the right notes, give these recipes a try:

Thanks for cooking with me! If you made this recipe, leave a 🌟 rating and share your thoughts or tips below. I’d love to hear from you!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe