The Crave-Worthy Secret To Dollywood's Famous Chicken Sandwich
Nestled in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Dollywood, a 160-acre theme park known for award-winning rides, entertaining shows, and, of course, a variety of southern food. Each year, it rounds up more than three million visitors and brings 4,000 jobs to the area (per WVLT).
Dollywood's food could possibly be a bigger draw than its rollercoasters, as it has options suited to a variety of tastes. One notable spot is Aunt Granny's Restaurant, which serves up country-style favorites such as fried chicken, pork loin, and mashed potatoes. It's also been named one of America's top 10 best theme park restaurants by USA Today. Another great choice is Front Porch Café, as it features some of Dolly Parton's favorite meals. If you're looking for something on the go rather than a more formal dining experience, you could always check out Frannie's Food Truck — an eatery with a chicken sandwich so delicious that it's known as "famous" when it comes up in discussion (per Hallmark Channel). But what makes these crispy birds so crave-worthy?
Pickle brine does the trick
Those looking for a great chicken sandwich in Dollywood should look no further than an unassuming truck near Dolly's Closet boutique. Touted as one of the most famous eateries in the park, Frannie's Food Truck is a chicken sandwich joint with a secret that keeps it desired. In an interview with the Hallmark Channel, Dolly Parton revealed that the chicken "is dipped in pickle juice," to give it its flavor. As the video rolls, pastry chef Lanna Talley, while interviewed in front of the truck, stated that the chicken is marinated in the pickle juice for six to eight hours before it's prepared.
According to The Endless Meal, marinating your chicken in pickle brine improves its tenderness and taste, and makes it exceptionally juicy. It's suggested to leave the chicken soaking for at least two hours, but no longer than a day to preserve the texture. It seems like the cooks at Frannie's know what they're talking about, so you might want to toss them in there for six to eight hours for the best results.