Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich

Course Chicken, Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword air-fryer-chicken-sandwich, chicken-sandwich-recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 17

Marinate Time 30

Total Time 57

Servings servings

Calories 265kcal

Ingredients

2 8 oz chicken breasts cut in half to create 4 pieces (OR four 4-6 ounce chicken breasts)
1/2 cup dill pickle juice
1/2 cup whole milk plus 1/4 cup for the egg wash
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp baking powder (for an extra crispy coating)
1 x-large egg
cooking spray or an oil mister
brioche buns, dill pickles and mayonnaise for serving

Instructions

Pickle Brine : In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pickle juice and milk. Add in the chicken breasts turning to coat. Cover, allowing the chicken to marinate in the brine for 30 minutes.
To Prepare: In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, granulated garlic, salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, baking powder and black pepper.
In a separate shallow bowl whisk the egg with 1/4 cup reserved milk. (Or buttermilk).
Remove chicken from brine allowing excess to drip off. Dip each chicken breast in the egg wash then straight into the flour mixture. Coat all sides pressing the breading to adhere, if needed. Repeat with all of the chicken,
Spray the chicken breasts generously with cooking spray or an oil mister on all sides. Place into the air fryer basket without touching. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Transfer basket to the air fryer. Air fry the chicken for 15-17 minutes depending on the thickness and size of the chicken breasts. Check halfway through and flip coating with more cooking spray or spray using an oil mister to cover any dry spots. Fry until crispy and golden.
Serve immediately on warm buns with mayonnaise and pickles or any of your favorite toppings.
To Fry Crispy Chicken Breasts on the Stovetop:
Marinate and prepare the chicken per the recipe.
Heat 1-2 inches of peanut oil or vegetable oil in a skillet to 350-360°F.
Add the chicken breasts cooking for 4-5 minutes per side or until the juices run clear.
Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve on toasted buns.

Notes

Chicken: You could adapt this recipe using boneless skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs will take longer to cook so check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant read thermometer to be certain it reaches 165°F.

Double the Recipe: This recipe is for two chicken breasts (they were large!), but can easily be doubled depending on the amount of servings you need.

Moisten the Breading with Cooking Spray or Oil: It’s important to spray a generous amount of cooking spray on the chicken prior to placing into the air fryer. This will help the flour absorb the oil and cook, so you won’t get odd patches of dry flour. Repeat the process turning the chicken and spraying any dry spots with more cooking spray or using an oil mister, halfway through cooking.

Seasonings: You could add dry Italian seasoning, dried parsley or dried thyme to the breading to change the flavor profile.

Panko: You could add 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs to the flour for even more crunch!

Spice: For a spicy chicken sandwich, add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or a few dashes of sriracha or hot sauce to the marinade.

Topping Options: Feel free to add any kind of condiments or toppings to this sandwich. Lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, cheese or any of your favorite condiments. You may like a spicy mayo, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or BBQ sauce they all would taste delicious with this sandwich.

Can I Fry this Chicken on the Stovetop? Yes, you can! See the recipe card for instructions.

Nutrition