← Back to Menu
KFC Double Down (Copycat)
Community Rating
Current community rating (1 vote)
About
One of the most infamous fast-food creations ever — no bun at all. Instead, two ultra-crispy fried chicken fillets sandwich bacon, melted cheese, and a creamy pepper mayo. It’s salty, smoky, cheesy, and unapologetically indulgent. The trick to the perfect Double Down is thin chicken fillets with a super crunchy crust, so the “chicken buns” hold everything together without falling apart.
FOR THE CHICKEN:
• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced horizontally into 4 thin fillets
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• vegetable oil, for frying
FOR THE PEPPER MAYO:
• 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• pinch salt
FOR ASSEMBLY:
• 4 slices bacon, cooked crispy
• 2 slices Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 slices cheddar cheese
Recipe
- 1Prep the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create four thin fillets. In a bowl mix buttermilk, paprika, and salt, then add the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor).
- 2Make the coating. In a shallow dish combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge thoroughly, pressing firmly so the coating forms rough craggy edges for maximum crunch.
- 3Fry the chicken. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the fillets for 4–5 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let them rest briefly on a rack so the crust stays crunchy.
- 4Make the pepper mayo. In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
- 5Melt the cheese. Place a slice of Monterey Jack and a slice of cheddar onto two of the hot chicken fillets so the residual heat melts the cheese slightly.
- 6Assemble the Double Down from bottom to top: crispy chicken fillet, melted cheese, two slices of crispy bacon, a generous spoon of pepper mayo, then the second crispy chicken fillet as the top 'bun'. Serve immediately while hot and crunchy.