A New Take on Atlanta’s Iconic Lemon Pepper

Breakfast/brunch spot Bomb Biscuit has clinched a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its premium execution of tried-and-true Southern staples, but dishes like the Lemon Pepper Chicken Biscuit show how straying slightly from tradition can yield delicious results. Here, juicy chicken thigh is brined in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce, dredged in seasoned flour and deep fried until crispy. Then, the dark meat is tossed in a housemade sauce of lemon juice and zest plus freshly ground peppercorn. “Using chicken thighs results in juicy chicken, and the fresh lemon brings out a bright note,” says Erika Council, chef/owner. The chicken is served with bread-and-butter pickles in a freshly baked buttermilk biscuit, which not only holds up well to the hearty filling but also soaks up the sauce.

“It’s a blend of textures and flavors, between the crispy chicken and a soft, pillowy biscuit rounded out with a crunch from the pickles,” Council says. “The flavors really meld together, from the savory, salty chicken to zesty sauce and the sweetness from the biscuit.” And as with all Bomb Biscuit’s chicken sandwiches, the Lemon Pepper Chicken Biscuit can be “fully loaded” to include a choice of cheese and egg.

Along with the restaurant’s Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit, the Lemon Pepper Chicken Biscuit is a top seller, courtesy of its iconic flavor combo, says Council. “Lemon pepper is a classic Atlanta flavor; locals and visitors seek it out. The dish is an homage to the city.”

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