Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Pickle Brined)

A crispy chicken sandwich with tomato pickles and lettuce on a plate with French Fries.

4.34 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Pickle Brined)

Chicken cutlets brined in pickle juice and buttermilk are breaded and air fried to create the most tender, flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich! Serve these crispy chicken sandwiches on brioche buns topped with the ultimate sandwich sauce.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Marinating Time2

Total Time2 40

Course: Main Course, Sandwiches

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 510kcal

Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast thin sliced
1 cup buttermilk
¾ cup dill pickle juice from jar of dill pickle chips
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons granulated garlic or garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs

Ultimate Chicken Sandwich Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons BBQ Sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Sriracha
1 teaspoon honey

For the Rest

4 to 6 sandwich buns I use brioche buns
Green leaf lettuce leaves
Tomato slices
Dill pickle chips from jar of pickles

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken (about 2 hours before you’re ready to start cooking)

Slice or pound chicken to about ¼-inch thickness and cut to size of the buns. Place in a sealable plastic storage bag or bowl. Pour the buttermilk and pickle juice over the top and move the chicken around until the liquid is well distributed. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Bread the Chicken

Line a large baking sheet with foil and set it aside.
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, granulated garlic or garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
Dredge a piece of chicken in the flour mixture, coating both sides and shaking off the excess. Next, dip it into the egg and then dredge it again in the flour, using your hands to pat the flour mixture onto the surface of the chicken. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the breading process with the remaining chicken.
You can skip to the the next step and air fry the chicken immediately after breading, if desired. Or, transfer the breaded chicken to the refrigerator to rest (no need to cover) for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking (this will help the breading adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off when cooked).

Air Fry the Chicken

Coat the air fryer basket with olive oil or a non-propellant cooking spray (like Chosen Avocado Oil Spray). Transfer as many pieces of the breaded chicken to the prepared air fryer basket that will fit without touching (you may need to cook it in batches). Spray the top of the chicken pieces with oil. Air fry at 400 degrees F. for 8 minutes. Flip the pieces over and continue to cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until crisped and fully cooked. Internal temperature should read a minimum of 165F when measured in the thickest piece of chicken.
Repeat as needed with remaining chicken. If cooking in batches, the second batch may cook a bit quicker.
To keep the first batch of cooked chicken warm while the second cooks, place it on a foil lined baking sheet in a conventional oven set to 200 degrees F.

Assemble the Sandwiches

Serve on buns with lettuce, tomatoes, dill pickle chips and sauce.

Video

Notes

Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich Tips

Chill - You can air fry the breaded chicken right away or, transfer it to the refrigerator to rest, uncovered, for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Chilling the breaded chicken will help ensure the breading will adhere to the chicken when cooked.

Oil - It's best to use olive oil in a mister or a non-propellant cooking spray, like Chosen Avocado Oil Spray. Regular nonstick cooking sprays can damage the nonstick lining of air fryer baskets over time.

Cooking Time - When cooking in batches, the second and subsequent batches may cook more quickly than the first. Check the chicken a minute or two shy of the total cooking time.

Spice it Up - Add a little cayenne pepper to the breading or increase the amount of sriracha in the sauce for a spicy chicken sandwich.

Keep Warm - Air Fryer Chicken Sandwiches are at their best immediately after cooking. But, to keep them warm between batches, place them on a baking sheet in a 200 degree F oven.

Alternate Stovetop Directions

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the breaded chicken being sure not to overcrowd the skillet.
Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, or until nicely browned, then flip and continue to cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when measured in the thickest piece of chicken.
Repeat as needed with the remaining chicken, adding additional oil, if needed.

Nutrition