Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich

Laura Lynch

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Air Fryer Chicken Sandwiches are quick to make and they turn out super crispy and ready to top with your favorite sandwich toppings. With just a little oil, these are cooked to perfection in an air fryer!

(The recipe and instructions for this sandwich were updated on 1/5/24)

I’m going to tell you a secret. Well, two actually. There are two secret ingredients to this sandwich. They are pickle juice and cornstarch.

Marinating the chicken in pickle juice not only keeping the meat incredibly tender and moist but also gives it a delicious flavor. When you bread the chicken, you have to add cornstarch to make it perfectly crispy in the air fryer.

Why You’ll Love It

• Although store-bought breaded chicken breasts are incredibly convenient to make in the air fryer, you can also make delicious breaded chicken yourself. It does take more time, but in my opinion it tastes better and is crispier.
• If you’re wanting to make some pretty killer chicken sandwiches in your air fryer, you’re in for a treat with this recipe. Give it a try and you’ll see!

Ingredients You Need

• Chicken breast – I use a thick, rounder chicken breast for these, so I can cut cut it in half to make 2 thinner patties that will fit on the bun. If you have a piece that’s really elongated, you’ll have to cut off the thinner end so it doesn’t hang over the bun.
• Dill pickle juice – This is a great solution for brining chicken. It really helps impart a nice juicy, salty flavor. If you can’t get pickle juice, you can use 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
• Egg and milk – This is one part of the breading mixture that will give you a nice crispy breading that sticks well to the chicken.
• Flour, cornstarch, baking powder – This is the other part of the breading mixture. You’ll need these ingredients to make a dredging station for the breading on your chicken.
• Seasoning – Paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper are enough to bring out the flavor in this chicken sandwich recipe.
• Spray cooking oil – Spray cooking oil is a must-have to get the breading crispy, so it’s not floury.
• Brioche buns – You can use any burger buns you like, but I think brioche is definitely the way to go. It’s got a nice chew to it and enough flexibility that it doesn’t break apart while you’re eating.
• Toppings – We use a quick cole slaw, pickles, jalapenos, and a sriracha mayo.

Helpful Tips

• You can use chicken breast or thighs for this recipe.
• It’s always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F(75°C) and doesn’t go over (you don’t want to overcook it!), and since all air fryers cook differently, it’s a good idea to check the chicken a couple of times during cooking.
• You can change up the toppings however you like.
• Don’t leave out the cornstarch. It’s necessary for a crispy outcome.

How to Make a Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich

Step 1: Brine the chicken

Combine the water and pickle juice in a resealable bag. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 30 minutes. If you have longer, you can brine it for longer.

Step 2: Bread the chicken

In a bowl, whisk the egg and milk until evenly combined. In another bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, pepper, paprika, and salt.

Dip the marinated chicken into the egg mixture, then coat in the flour mixture. Repeat by dipping the chicken back into the egg mixture and then back into the flour. Set the pieces on a plate to rest for 5 minutes.

Spray the tops of the chicken really well with cooking spray. The flour needs to be at least lightly saturated. Flip over and spray the other side.

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken

Place the two pieces of chicken in the air fryer basket, not touching. Air fry at 380°F(195°C) for 18 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through and spray them once more.

Step 4: Make the sauce and coleslaw

While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients until smooth.

Add the coleslaw to a bowl along with 1 tablespoon of the sauce. Stir to combine.

Step 5: Assemble

Spread some of the sauce on each top and bottom bun. When the chicken is done, transfer the pieces to the buns and top with a few pickles, jalapeno slices, and the quick slaw. Close the sandwiches and serve immediately.

How to Reheat Chicken in an Air Fryer

You might have made too many chicken pieces and want to store them for another meal. That’s perfectly find. You can easily reheat them in the air fryer whenever you’re ready. They will take less than half the time to re-crisp as they did the first time, so put them in the air fryer on 400° F(205°C) for about 8 minutes – 4 on each side. This will reheat them through and give them a crispy exterior.

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Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich

Air Fryer chicken sandwiches are simple to make and come out just like your favorite restaurant sandwich.

4 from 27 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2 servings

Calories 599 kcal

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Cooking oil sprayer

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 medium chicken breast boneless and skinless, cut in half lengthwise
• 1/4 cup (59 ml) cold water
• 1/4 cup (59 ml) dill pickle juice
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup (59 ml) milk
• 3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (4 g) cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
• 2 hamburger buns
• Bread-and-butter pickles
• 1/2 cup (35 g) shredded cabbage

For the sauce

• 1/4 cup (56 g) mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
• 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) paprika

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Instructions

 

• Combine the water and pickle juice in a resealable bag. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 30 minutes.
• In a bowl, whisk the egg and milk until evenly combined.
• In another bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, pepper, paprika, and salt.
• Dip the marinated chicken into the egg mixture, then coat in the flour mixture. Repeat by dipping the chicken back into the egg mixture and then back into the flour. Set the pieces on a plate to rest for 5 minutes.
• Spray the tops of the chicken really well with cooking spray. The flour needs to be at least lightly saturated. Flip over and spray the other side.
• Place the two pieces of chicken in the air fryer basket, not touching.
• Air fry at 380°F(195°C) for 18 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through and spray them once more.
• While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients until smooth.
• Spread some of the sauce on each top and bottom bun.
• When the chicken is done, transfer the pieces to the buns and top with a few pickles and some shredded cabbage. Close the sandwiches and serve immediately.

Notes

• You can use chicken breast or thighs for this recipe.
• It’s always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F(195°C) and doesn’t go over (you don’t want to overcook it!), and since all air fryers cook differently, it’s a good idea to check the chicken a couple of times during cooking.
• You can change up the toppings however you like.
• Maybe toast the buns before dressing, if you have an extra moment.

All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 599kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 39gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 298mgSodium: 874mgPotassium: 485mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 913IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Chicken

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Laura Lynch

Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.