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Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat)

Classic chicken tenders on a plate
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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!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Add the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sweetener to a large bowl, large enough to dredge the chicken. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the egg to a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
  4. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
  5. 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).
  6. Spritz the top of the chicken with peanut oil. Spray from a distance.
  7. Air fry on 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Every air fryer model and brand will cook at varying speeds. Monitor your results carefully, and adjust as needed.
  11. For toasted buns, toast the buns for 3-4 minutes on 400 degrees.
  12. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and assemble the sandwich.
  13. 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).
  14. 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.
  15. Stir to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer Chick-fil-A, air fryer chicken sandwich, chick-fil-a-copycat

Find it online: https://recipnest.com/air-fryer-chicken-sandwich-chick-fil-a-copycat/