This Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich is a crispy, juicy Chick-fil-A-inspired sandwich made with chicken breasts, a pickle juice and buttermilk brine, seasoned flour, and a light coating of oil for a golden air-fried crust.
The chicken is seasoned from the marinade through the breading, giving every bite plenty of flavor without deep frying. If you enjoy crispy chicken recipes, these Dry Rub Chicken Wings are another easy option to keep in your rotation.
Serve the chicken on a soft brioche bun or your favorite sandwich bun, then add pickles, lettuce, tomato, or homemade sauce depending on how you like your sandwich.
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich Ingredients
Detailed ingredient amounts are available in the recipe card, but these are the main ingredients used to build the sandwich.
Chicken Breasts
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well for sandwiches because they cook relatively quickly and fit naturally on a bun. If the pieces are especially thick, you can pound them slightly for more even cooking.
For another easy chicken dinner, try this Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken.
Pickle Juice
Pickle juice adds tang and salt while helping flavor the chicken before it is breaded. It is one of the ingredients that gives this sandwich its familiar fast-food-inspired taste.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk works alongside the pickle juice to tenderize the chicken and adds a slightly tangy richness. It also helps the flour coating stick to the chicken.
Flour and Seasonings
All-purpose flour forms the base of the breading. Paprika, garlic powder, powdered sugar or sweetener, salt, and pepper season the coating so the crust has flavor throughout.
Cooking Oil
A light coating of oil helps the flour brown and crisp in the air fryer instead of remaining dry or powdery.
Egg
A beaten egg can be used before the flour dredge to help the breading adhere, although the source recipe treats this step as optional.
Buns
Soft brioche buns work especially well, but any sandwich bun you prefer can be used.
Why Pickle Juice Works
The pickle juice and buttermilk brine adds flavor before the chicken ever reaches the seasoned flour.
Combine the pickle juice and buttermilk, add the chicken, and make sure the pieces are fully submerged. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The source also allows the chicken to remain in the brine for up to 8 hours.
For another chicken recipe with plenty of bold flavor, try these Honey Garlic Chicken Wings.
Why Powdered Sugar Is Your Secret Weapon
A small amount of powdered sugar in the breading helps create the slightly sweet flavor associated with this style of chicken sandwich.
It works alongside the paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, pickle brine, and buttermilk rather than making the chicken noticeably sweet.
The sugar also helps the exterior brown as the chicken cooks, especially when the breading is lightly coated with oil. It is a small ingredient, but it contributes to both the flavor and the golden appearance of the crust.
How to Make an Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich
Detailed measurements are available in the recipe card below.
- Add the chicken breasts to the pickle juice and buttermilk mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Combine flour with paprika, powdered sugar or sweetener, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and remove excess liquid.
- If using the optional egg step, coat the chicken in beaten egg.
- Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour.
- Transfer the breaded chicken to the air fryer.
- Lightly coat with cooking oil and air fry until crisp and fully cooked.
For another easy meal that uses chicken in a completely different way, this Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet is another simple dinner idea.
How to Get Crispy Breading
After brining, remove excess liquid from the chicken before breading. Too much moisture can make it harder for the flour coating to adhere evenly.
If you use the optional egg wash, coat the chicken and allow the excess egg to drip away before transferring it to the flour.
Press the seasoned flour lightly onto all sides of the chicken, then shake away any loose flour. An even coating works better than thick clumps.
A light coating of cooking oil is important because it helps turn the flour golden and crisp rather than leaving visible dry flour on the surface.
For another crispy air-fryer chicken option, try Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings.
Air Fryer Temperature and Cooking Time
Cook the chicken at 400°F.
The source gives a total cooking range of approximately 17 to 22 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the chicken and how quickly your air fryer cooks.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The USDA safe temperature chart lists 165°F as the minimum safe internal temperature for poultry.
Can You Make It Without Buttermilk?
Yes. The source gives an alternative using 1 beaten egg and ½ cup milk.
When using this method, brine the chicken in pickle juice alone for 30 minutes. Then combine the egg and milk, dip the chicken into the mixture, and dredge it in the seasoned flour.
The source notes that buttermilk tends to produce a thicker crust, so the coating will be slightly different.
What Oil Should You Use?
The source prefers peanut oil because it has a high smoke point and helps create a flavor closer to the Chick-fil-A-style sandwich.
Avocado oil or olive oil can also be used. You only need a light coating to help the breading crisp.
If you are making a casual meal or snack spread, Loaded Hummus Pitas can add a lighter savory option alongside the sandwiches.
Homemade Chick-fil-A-Style Sauce
The homemade sauce uses a simple combination of:
- Dijon mustard
- Yellow mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Honey
- Mayonnaise
The source notes that the mayonnaise can be omitted if you prefer the sauce without it.
For another easy chicken recipe that works well for casual meals, Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a useful make-ahead option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I brine the chicken?
Brine the chicken for at least 30 minutes. The source says it can remain refrigerated in the pickle juice and buttermilk mixture for up to 8 hours.
Do I have to use an egg wash?
No. The egg step is optional. The chicken can go from the pickle juice and buttermilk mixture into the seasoned flour after excess moisture is removed.
Why is my breading not crispy?
Remove excess marinade before breading, press the flour evenly onto the chicken, shake away loose flour, and lightly coat the breading with cooking oil before air frying.
What temperature should I air fry the chicken?
The source uses 400°F.
How long does the chicken take to cook?
The source gives a total cooking range of approximately 17 to 22 minutes. Because air fryers vary, check the chicken for doneness rather than relying only on the clock.
Can I use a different oil?
Yes. Peanut oil is preferred in the source, but avocado oil or olive oil can also be used.
PrintAir Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
I’ve been sharing air fryer recipes for over a decade, and this chicken sandwich proves fast food doesn’t stand a chance. The chicken is seasoned from the marinade to the breading, so every bite is crispy, juicy, and full of real flavor, not just salt. I walk you through it step by step, so this comes out right every single time. This recipe has hundreds of 5 star reviews. You will soon know why!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Total Time: 62 mins
- Yield: 2, 2 chicken sandwiches 1x
- Category: dinner, lunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Mine were 6-8oz each.)
- 1 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (See notes below for how to substitute buttermilk.)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (Adjust to taste.)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (Adjust to taste.)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sweetener
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (Optional for the spicy chicken sandwich)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- cooking oil (I used peanut oil)
- 2 buns (I use brioche.)
- 4 slices dill pickle chips
- 2 slices leaf lettuce (Optional for deluxe sandwich.)
- 4 slices fresh tomatoes (Optional for deluxe sandwich.)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons BBQ Sauce (hickory smoked)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (See substitution in the notes below.)
Instructions
- You can use a sealable bag or a large bowl to brine the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl or sealable bag along with the pickle juice and buttermilk. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Add the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sweetener to a large bowl, large enough to dredge the chicken. Stir to combine.
- Add the egg to a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge both breasts in the beaten egg and then the flour. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. (The use of the egg is optional and will help keep the breading intact on your sandwich. I often make this without using the egg).
- Spritz the top of the chicken with peanut oil. Spray from a distance.
- Air fry on 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Be careful with tongs. You don’t want to lose any of the breading on the chicken. Your chicken may be fully cooked at this point and you may only need a couple of minutes to crisp this side of the chicken. Spritz this side of the chicken.
- Air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes until the chicken is crisp. You should also use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
- Every air fryer model and brand will cook at varying speeds. Monitor your results carefully, and adjust as needed.
- For toasted buns, toast the buns for 3-4 minutes on 400 degrees.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and assemble the sandwich.
- Combine the mayo, honey, BBQ sauce, and mustard in a bowl. (I often omit the mayo and still love the flavor. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to fit your taste).
- Add the xanthan gum to a separate bowl along with 2 teaspoons of the sauce. Stir to thicken and add it to the bowl with the sauce.
- Stir to thicken.
Nutrition
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Protein: 43 g
Keywords: air fryer Chick-fil-A, air fryer chicken sandwich, chick-fil-a-copycat
