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Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

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

Published: Feb 14, 2021 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat) is incredible and is cooked in just 12 minutes! It is a brined chicken that is battered and air fried to crispy perfection. Place on a bun, add more pickles, and dive in! Don’t forget the waffle fries!

front view of a homemade copycat Chick-fil-A sandwich made in the Air Fryer.
Copycat Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Sandwich
Contents hide
1 🍴 Why You Will Love This
2 🍔 Ingredients
3 🐔 Instructions
4 🐔 Storage
5 📌 Expert Tips
6 Recipe FAQs
7 Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich

I love eating at Chick-fil-A, but sometimes it is nice to just stay in and enjoy our evening and not fight the mile-long drive thru line. This crispy chicken sandwich curbs our cravings! 

This stands out because the chicken is brined in pickle juice. It locks in moisture and gives you an incredibly juicy sandwich. 

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🍴 Why You Will Love This

  • Crispy battered chicken
  • Juicy and moist 
  • Similar flavor to classic Chick-fil-A sandwich
  • No deep frying required 
  • Easy steps 
  • Affordable 
  • Kid-friendly 

This is so good, and rather easy to make at home. Give it a try!

🍔 Ingredients

ingredient photo showing everything on a white counter with labels.

Chicken Breast | I find the best results using a boneless, skinless breast. It works the best with the brine and is easy to flatten.

Brine | Chick-fil-A is known for brining their chicken in pickle juice, so we’ll do the same. It locks in the moisture and adds an amazing flavor

Breading | A combination of flour, cornstarch and seasonings make up the coating that turns the sandwich crispy and flavorful.

🐔 Instructions

process photos showing how to make an air fryer Chick-filA sandwich.
Simple Breading for the Copycat Sandwich

Step One: Place chicken in a gallon bag and pound them out to make them about ½ inch thick. Cut the breasts into four pieces and add the pickle juice brine to the bag. Let them rest in the pickle juice for 30 minutes. 

Step Two: As the chicken marinates, whisk the egg and milk together for an egg wash. Add in your flour, cornstarch and seasonings in another bowl for the dry batter.

Step Thee: Remove the chicken from the brine and dredge it in the egg wash, and then the flour mixture. Place it in your air fryer basket or tray.

Step Four: Spray a little oil so it crisps up the flour mixture when air fried. Make sure to get all sides of your chicken.

Step Five: Cook for six minutes at 340 degrees, turn it over and turn up the heat to 400 degrees for another six minutes. You will want to ensure the temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.

Step Six: Once chicken is fully cooked, remove and place on a bun with pickles.

I also share how to deep fry this and cook it in the Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot Duo Crisp in the printable recipe card below.

🐔 Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Then reheat in the microwave, or even toss back in air fryer to crisp it up.

If you enjoy meal prepping, make extra chicken and then freeze it for up to three months. All you have to do is remove, reheat and you have a sandwich.

Bake them in the oven to reheat, microwave, or even toss in the air fryer to toast them back up.

air fryer breaded chicken sandwich with pickles on top and waffle fires on the plate.
Serve with Your Favorite Waffle Fries!

📌 Expert Tips

  • It is very important to flatten your chicken, or it will not cook properly.
  • Use the oil to coat the outside of your chicken. If you skip the flour will look white and not turn golden brown as it air fries.
  • Pair with some waffle fries, Chick-fil-A coleslaw, or any other of your favorites.
  • Make sure to spray the chicken lightly with oil or the flour will turn white and not crisp up the way you want.
  • Double the recipe if you want to freeze some for meal prepping later on.

Recipe FAQs

What is on a Chick-fil-A sandwich?

This is a battered chicken sandwich that is served with pickles on a toasted bun. It is brined in pickle juice and retains a slight tangy flavor.

Does Chick-fil-A soak their chicken in pickle juice?

They are known for their stand out flavor. They soak their chicken in pickle juice to help lock in flavor and moisture for a juicy sandwich, nuggets, etc.

Can I use gluten free flour for this sandwich?

Yes! Substitute the flour for a gluten free blend to use for dredging your chicken.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • plate of ravioli with marinara and fresh parmesan on the grater
    Air Fryer Ravioli With Homemade Marinara
  • the air fryer is behind a plate of enchiladas and fresh tomatoes and onions are in bowls on the side
    Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas
  • beautiful green broccoli after roasting in the air fryer
    Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli
  • top down view of air fried pickles on a white plate with hand crafted dipping sauce in a bowl
    Air Fryer Pickles

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

front view of a homemade copycat Chick-fil-A sandwich made in the Air Fryer.

Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich

This is a battered chicken sandwich and topped with pickle slices. Make this easy air fried sandwich for lunch or dinner. Your kids will love it!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Brining Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 47 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 221kcal
Author: Ginny

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 2 Chicken Breasts
  • ¼ cup Pickle Juice
  • ¼ cup Water
  • 1 tbsp Oil
  • 6 Pickle Slices
  • 2 Hamburger Buns

Egg Wash

  • 2 Eggs
  • ½ cup Milk whole

Breading Mixture

  • 1 cup Flour
  • 2 tbsp Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Corn Starch
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a gallon size Ziploc bags. Pound them until they are ½ inch thick.
  • Cut the breast into four pieces.
  • Place the chicken back in the bag. Add in your pickle juice and water. Allow them to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Whisk the egg and milk together for and egg wash.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together your dry ingredients: flour, starch, and seasonings.
  • Place your chicken in the air fryer basket. Spray the chicken lightly with cooking spray.
  • Cook for six minutes at 340 degrees. Flip and cook for another six minutes at 400 degrees.
  • Place your chicken on your hamburger bun with three slices of dill pickles.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

How to Deep Fry | To deep fry, heat peanut oil in a pan or deep fryer. Drop-in your chicken breasts once battered, and fry up until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees. If you fry in a pan, make sure to flip the chicken for even frying. 
Make in Instant Pot Duo Crisp | Follow the exact same directions, except reach for your duo crisp lid, not the pressure cooker lid. Then halfway through cooking, remove the lid and flip the chicken. 
Make in Ninja Foodi | The Ninja Foodi is a great device as well. Use the crisping lid for this particular recipe as well. All directions will stay the same. 
Dill pickle juice is  ideal for the brining. It will help lock in moisture for a juicy chicken sandwich. 
Leftover chicken sandwiches can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Or you can freeze for up to three months. 
Serve with waffle fries, chips, coleslaw, etc. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2g | Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat)Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
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About Ginny

Hi! My name is Ginny and I know how busy life can be! I am a mom working hard to prepare healthy meals for my family that is always on the go!

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Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

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