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Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich with a Flavored Coating Recipe

4.7 from 71 reviews

This Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich features tender boneless chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk, coated with a flavorful spiced flour mixture, and air-fried to crispy perfection. Served on toasted hamburger buns with fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a zesty spicy mayo, this sandwich delivers a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Coating

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Spicy Mayo

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce

Assembly

  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Tomato slices
  • Pickle slices

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a shallow dish, place the chicken breasts and cover them with 1 cup of buttermilk. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
  2. Prepare the Coating: In a separate dish, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure even distribution of seasoning.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the buttermilk, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture until fully coated for a crispy crust.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  5. Air Fry the Chicken: Place the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness.
  6. Make the Spicy Mayo: While the chicken cooks, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons hot sauce in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
  7. Toast the Buns: Once the chicken is nearly done, place the hamburger buns in the air fryer for a few minutes to toast them lightly for added texture and warmth.
  8. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread the spicy mayo evenly on the toasted buns. Layer with lettuce leaves, tomato slices, pickle slices, and top with the juicy air-fried chicken breast. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for longer (up to 4 hours) for even more tenderness and flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the mayo according to your preferred spice level.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in a conventional oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • For extra crispiness, spray a light coat of oil on the chicken before air frying.
  • Feel free to add cheese or substitute toppings to customize your sandwich.

Keywords: air fryer chicken sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, healthy chicken sandwich, spicy mayo chicken sandwich, buttermilk chicken sandwich