Air-Fried Spicy Chicken Sandwich: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Making a spicy chicken sandwich in an air fryer is a great way to satisfy your fried chicken sandwich cravings without the hassle and added calories of deep frying. The key to a juicy sandwich is brining the chicken in a mixture of pickle juice and buttermilk, while a combination of flour, panko breadcrumbs, and cornstarch will give it a crunchy coating. You can also add some kick to your sandwich with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or sriracha mayo.

Chicken brine: soak chicken in pickle juice and buttermilk

Chicken brine is a crucial step in making a tender and juicy chicken sandwich. The combination of pickle juice and buttermilk is a game-changer, infusing incredible flavour into the chicken and ensuring its tenderness. Here's a detailed guide on how to brine your chicken to perfection:

Step 1: Prepare the Brine

In a sealable plastic bag or a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and dill pickle juice. If you're using store-bought buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing milk with vinegar. For every cup of milk, add a tablespoon of white vinegar, and let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes to thicken. As for the pickle juice, you can use the brine from your homemade garlic dill pickles or opt for jarred pickle juice. If you're using store-bought brine, enhance its flavour by adding some thinly sliced garlic and fresh dill.

Step 2: Soak the Chicken

Add your chicken pieces to the brine, making sure they are fully coated. You can use either white or dark meat, depending on your preference. Cover the container or seal the bag, and let the chicken soak in the refrigerator. The ideal brining time is between 2 to 4 hours, but you can also leave it overnight for an even more intense flavour.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

Once the brining process is complete, it's time to prepare the chicken for breading. Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken pieces. Then, using plastic wrap, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. You can use a mallet, pan, or rolling pin for this step. This step ensures that your chicken cooks evenly and gives it a uniform shape for your sandwiches.

Step 4: Breading (Optional)

While brining is essential for flavour and tenderness, breading adds that extra crispiness to your chicken sandwich. If you choose to bread your chicken, prepare a flour mixture by combining all-purpose flour with seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add a little cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for an extra kick. In a separate bowl, whisk some eggs. Now, simply dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, dip it into the egg, and then dredge it again in the flour. Repeat this process for all your chicken pieces.

Step 5: Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer the breaded chicken pieces to the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Spray the tops of the chicken with oil, and air fry for 8 minutes. Then, flip the pieces over and continue cooking for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Ensure that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

And there you have it! By following these steps, you'll end up with delicious, tender, and juicy chicken sandwiches that will impress anyone who takes a bite.

Breading: coat chicken in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs

Breading the chicken is a crucial step in achieving that desirable crispy texture and mouth-watering flavour. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to coat your chicken with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs like a pro:

Step 1: Prepare the Flour Mixture

In a shallow bowl, combine all-purpose flour with a generous mix of seasonings. For a spicy kick, include garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Don't be shy with the spices, as they will enhance the flavour of your chicken sandwich. You can also add cornstarch to the flour mixture for an even crispier coating.

Step 2: Beat the Eggs

In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together some eggs. You can also add a bit of milk or buttermilk to this mixture, as it will help the breading stick to the chicken and provide a tangy flavour. If you want an extra crispy texture, go ahead and add some cornstarch to this egg mixture as well.

Step 3: Prepare the Breadcrumbs

To take your breading to the next level, use Panko breadcrumbs. These will give your chicken an irresistibly crunchy texture. For an extra crispy sandwich, spread the breadcrumbs on a baking sheet, spray them with cooking spray, and bake them in the oven at 400°F for about 3-4 minutes. Keep an eye on them, shaking the tray occasionally, until they turn golden brown.

Step 4: Dredge the Chicken

Now it's time to coat your chicken! First, dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dunk the floured chicken into the egg mixture, letting the egg coat the chicken nicely. Finally, return the chicken to the flour mixture or coat it with the prepared breadcrumbs. Use your fingers to press the coating onto the chicken gently, ensuring it adheres well.

Step 5: Let the Chicken Rest

Once your chicken is coated, let it rest for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial, as it helps the breading bond to the meat and ensures that your breading won't fall off easily during cooking.

Step 6: Spray with Oil

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, give it a final touch by spraying some oil on top of the breaded chicken. This step will help you achieve that golden, crispy exterior.

And there you have it! Your chicken is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray it with oil again to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Enjoy your delicious, spicy chicken sandwich!

Cooking: fry chicken in air fryer at 400°F for 12-24 mins

Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get juicy, tender chicken with a crispy coating. Here's a step-by-step guide to frying chicken in an air fryer at 400°F for 12-24 minutes:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

First, decide if you want to brine or marinate your chicken. While this step is not necessary, it can add flavour and moisture to your chicken. If you choose to brine, a simple option is to use pickle juice and buttermilk, which will give your chicken a hint of pickle flavour. You can also add spices like cayenne pepper to the brine for a spicier sandwich. If you decide to brine, allow the chicken to soak for at least 30 minutes to several hours, depending on how intense you want the flavour to be.

Alternatively, you can simply season your chicken with salt and pepper, or a spice rub of your choice. Smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder are great options for adding flavour and a nice golden colour to your chicken.

Step 2: Bread the Chicken (Optional)

If you want a crispy coating on your chicken, you can bread it before air frying. For a basic breading, set up a dredging station with a shallow bowl of all-purpose flour, and a second shallow bowl with a mixture of egg and buttermilk. You can also add spices like garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the flour for extra flavour.

Dip the chicken first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally back in the flour. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated at each step. Let the breaded chicken rest for about 15 minutes while you preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd it, as this will affect the cooking time and crispiness. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken for 12-24 minutes, flipping it halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Step 4: Assemble Your Sandwich

Once your chicken is cooked, it's time to assemble your spicy chicken sandwich. Place the chicken on a brioche bun, top with lettuce, tomato, and pickle slices, and spread a generous amount of spicy mayonnaise on the top bun. Enjoy!

Assembly: add toppings and sauces to bun, then place chicken on top

Now it's time to assemble your spicy chicken sandwich!

Take your brioche bun or roll and spread your sauce on the cut side of the top bun. You can use a mixture of mayonnaise, honey, BBQ sauce, and mustard, or just mayo and mustard. If you want to make it extra spicy, add some hot sauce or sriracha to your sauce.

Next, place your toppings on the bottom bun. You can use lettuce, tomato, and pickle slices, or get creative with toppings like jalapeños, coleslaw, or bacon.

Now it's time to add the star of the show—the chicken! Place your crispy, tender chicken patty on top of your toppings.

Finally, place the sauced top bun on your sandwich, and there you have it—a delicious spicy chicken sandwich, made right in your air fryer!

Variations: try different sauces, toppings, and seasonings

There are endless ways to customize your spicy chicken sandwich. Here are some ideas for different sauces, toppings, and seasonings to try:

Sauces

• Spicy mayonnaise: Mix mayonnaise with your choice of hot sauce, such as Cholula, Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce, or sriracha. You can also add a dash of garlic powder or lemon juice to the mixture.
• Honey mustard: Combine dijon mustard, yellow mustard, BBQ sauce, and honey.
• Chick-fil-A sauce: Mix dijon mustard, yellow mustard, BBQ sauce, honey, and mayo.
• Spicy mayo: Mix sriracha and mayo.

Toppings

• Fresh veggies: Add cayenne pepper, lettuce, tomato slices, or pickle chips.
• Cheese: Include a slice of American cheese for a deluxe sandwich.
• Bacon: For a cowboy-style sandwich, add two slices of crispy bacon.
• Onion: Top your sandwich with a thick slice of raw red onion or an onion ring.
• Coleslaw: Add some crunch and creaminess to your sandwich.

Seasonings

• Cajun seasoning: Use a Cajun seasoning blend that includes salt, dried onions, garlic, herbs, and cayenne.
• Italian seasoning: If you don't have any pickle seasoning, Italian seasoning is a good alternative.
• MSG: Add a little MSG to your breading for an extra savory boost.

Frequently asked questions