This Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat) recipe is the best homemade meal the whole family will love! The chicken is brined in pickle juice and buttermilk, which produces tender and juicy chicken with a crispy breading. Add in cayenne pepper and fresh veggies for the spicy deluxe!
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Table of Contents
How to Brine and Marinate the Chicken
I love to use buttermilk to brine chicken, it also helps produce a nice, thick breading. The restaurant actually uses a combination of eggs and milk, which I have noted below in the substitutions if you prefer to use that.
The brine also includes pickle juice! I have found that most dill pickle juice will work well with this recipe.
There's always a hint of pickle taste in just the breast alone, if you want more pickle flavor, then allow the chicken to soak in the pickle juice for a couple of hours.
Why is Pickle Juice Used?
Pickle juice has a lot of salt. It has often been used to brine chicken because salt will help carry moisture throughout the chicken to produce juicy chicken breasts. Have you ever wondered how the breast gets so juicy?!
Coupled with an air fried breast, you truly can't go wrong.
What Type of Oil to Use
I like to use peanut oil because it's what Chick-fil-A uses and it has a high smoke point, which is essential for air frying. During recipe testing, I also noted that peanut oil does help these sandwiches taste more like Chick-fil-A!
You can also use avocado oil or olive oil.
Oil is essential if you want a crispy, breaded chicken breast. It will help crisp the chicken. You don't need much!
How to Make Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
- Drizzle the chicken breasts in buttermilk and pickle juice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Add paprika, Confectioner's sweetener, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken, along with all-purpose flour.
- Remove the chicken from the liquid and dredge it in the flour and place the chicken breast in the air fryer. (Optional to dredge the chicken in a beaten egg first).
- Air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 400 degrees.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
Cook the chicken for 17-22 minutes total, until the chicken has reached your desired level of crisp.
How Many Calories Are in the Sandwich?
The standard chicken sandwich has 440 calories and 19 grams of fat. The deluxe has 500 calories and 23 grams of fat.
How to Substitute Buttermilk
You can use 1 beaten egg along with ½ cup of milk instead of buttermilk in this recipe. That's actually similar to what Chick-fil-A uses, but I find that buttermilk helps produce a thicker crust. Use what you prefer.
If you opt for this method, marinate and brine the chicken in pickle juice only. After 30 minutes, combine the beaten egg and milk. Dredge the chicken in the egg and milk mixture and then into the seasoned flour.
Homemade Chick-fil-A Sauce
To make your own sauce you will need Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, BBQ sauce, honey, and mayo. I often omit the mayo and still love the flavor.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Fried Chicken Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
You may also enjoy my Chick-fil-A Copycat Frosted Lemonade, Crispy Fish Sandwich and
Smoked Fish Dip recipes.
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Keto Low Carb Chicken Wings (Maple BBQ)
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
You will alsol love our French Dip Sandwich with Au Jus sandwich.
Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Mine were 6-8oz each.
- 1 cup pickle juice
- ½ cup buttermilk See notes below for how to substitute buttermilk.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
- ¼ teaspoon pepper Adjust to taste.
- 1 tablespoon powdered sweetener
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional for the spicy chicken sandwich
- 1 egg beaten
- cooking oil I used peanut oil
Sandwich Toppings
- 2 buns I use brioche.
- 4 slices dill pickle chips
- 2 slices leaf lettuce Optional for deluxe sandwich.
- 4 slices fresh tomatoes Optional for deluxe sandwich.
Chick-fil-A Sauce
- ¼ cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons BBQ Sauce hickory smoked
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum See substitution in the notes below.
Instructions
- You can use a sealable bag or a large bowl to brine the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl or sealable bag along with the pickle juice and buttermilk. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Add the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sweetener to a large bowl, large enough to dredge the chicken. Stir to combine.
- Add the egg to a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge both breasts in the beaten egg and then the flour. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. (The use of the egg is optional and will help keep the breading intact on your sandwich. I often make this without using the egg).
- Spritz the top of the chicken with peanut oil. Spray from a distance.
- Air fry on 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Be careful with tongs. You don't want to lose any of the breading on the chicken. Your chicken may be fully cooked at this point and you may only need a couple of minutes to crisp this side of the chicken. Spritz this side of the chicken.
- Air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes until the chicken is crisp. You should also use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
- Every air fryer model and brand will cook at varying speeds. Monitor your results carefully, and adjust as needed.
- For toasted buns, toast the buns for 3-4 minutes on 400 degrees.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and assemble the sandwich.
Chick-fil-A Sauce
- Combine the mayo, honey, BBQ sauce, and mustard in a bowl. (I often omit the mayo and still love the flavor. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to fit your taste).
- Add the xanthan gum to a separate bowl along with 2 teaspoons of the sauce. Stir to thicken and add it to the bowl with the sauce.
- Stir to thicken.
Video
Notes
- You can substitute buttermilk for ½ cup of milk instead of buttermilk in this recipe. If you use milk, you will need to use the beaten egg. That's actually similar to what Chick-fil-A uses, but I find that buttermilk helps produce a thicker crust. Use what you prefer. Marinate and brine the chicken in pickle juice only. After 30 minutes, combine the beaten egg and milk. Dredge the chicken in the egg and milk mixture and then into the seasoned flour.
- If you have issues with the breading staying intact, be sure to use a beaten egg. Dredge the chicken in the egg prior to the flour.
- Chick-fil-A serves their buns buttered. Feel free to butter that bun.
- You use powdered sweetener as opposed to granular for a softer texture in the breading. With granular, you will be able to taste the grains of the sweetener.
- You can add more sweetener if you wish.
- I use peanut oil because it's what Chick-fil-A uses. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil.
- I go light on the salt because the pickle juice is salty. Adjust to taste.
- You can easily make these nuggets, by chopping up the chicken breasts into 1-2 inch chunks.
- Instead of xanthan gum you can combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of water, stir and add it to the sauce.
Tia says
I was hoping the recipe would drop tonight! My chicken is in the air fryer! I'm so excited to eat!! Super easy to make! And will be ready in just over 30 mins from start to finish (start implying 30 minutes after I took it out of the fridge).
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Trista Adkins says
Brandi!! You knocked this one out of the park! I made the egg & milk version since I didn't have buttermilk, and I cut the chicken into nuggets. They were gone in no time, a huge hit with the whole family. I'm definitely picking up buns and buttermilk this weekend to make the sandwich version. This is going to be a new regular for the kids, for sure!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I can't wait until you try it with the bun!
Brittany says
Bomb !!!! Loved it . I’m not one who is keen on following recipes but this one was easy and taste amazing !!
Thank you !
staysnatched says
Yay! Gotta love when I can impress someone who normally improvises!
Nikkia Underdue says
Girrrlll this recipe was right on point!! The chicken breast was juicy and the seasonings definitely reminded me of Chicfila!! Then the sauce taste just like my favorite chicfila sauce too! Im over here inhaling it now! Lol I’m definitely making this again!
staysnatched says
ha ha! Can't wait until you make it again!
Andrina says
Tried this recipe using the alternate option without buttermilk and it was delicious!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It's definitely something I will cook again.
staysnatched says
I'm glad that option worked for you!
Melissa says
The recipe was great! I made the chicken in tenders bc that’s what I had and it still turned out delicious. I can’t wait to try it again!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you liked it!
Erica says
Quick, easy and absolutely delicious receipe!!! I love this verison better than the original, it was really juciy, crispy and that pickle flavor cooked into the chicken breast takes it to a whole other level of bombness. My chicken temperature was fully cooked after the inital initial 15 minutes so be sure to check before you flip to determine if you just need a few minutes to crisp the other side or need more time to continue cooking the chicken.
staysnatched says
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the tips!
Anonymous says
I made the recipe in the regular oven( I know I need an air fryer now, ordered today). The flavor was great and very much worthy of comparison with chic fil a. Thank you for the recipe.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it works in the oven!
Jennifer says
Yasssss! I made this sandwich today for lunch & it was sooooo good. This will definitely be in rotation at my house.
staysnatched says
Yes! Love it. We have it on rotation, too!
Alisan says
This was DELICIOUS!! Easy to make and the chicken came out so juicy. I will definitely be making this more often. Can’t wait to try it as nuggets. Thanks for the recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! The nuggets work great!
Anne says
Amazing! I can't believe how easy this was to make! The sauce is spot on for the chick-fil-a sauce. I had the same experience as the other reviewer, my chicken was done after 15 minutes. The only thing I would change is the buns I bought - they were too skimpy for the sandwich. Will definitely make it again!
staysnatched says
Buns are tough because the sandwich is a healthy size!
Keri says
ANOTHER WINNER! I can never find buttermilk so I used milk & egg like the notes say. SO BOMB! Added the cayenne for spice and it was perfect. I skipped the bun and made a lettuce wrap but everyone else used a bun. I also melted a slice of cheese on top for a minute in the air fryer. Held together well and now I have to thaw more chicken to make it for lunch tomorrow.
staysnatched says
I love that you enjoyed it without the bun!
Mary o hara says
@Keri, Butter milk is everywhere!!!😳😳
Laura says
This sandwich is legit! So dang good! Next time I will definitely make the sauce, too. I have loved everything I've made from your site. It's my new go-to for everything. Keep up the amazing work!
staysnatched says
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Melissa says
This is my second review of this recipe because I’ve now tried it with buttermilk and with the alternative! Both are great, but I’ll give the buttermilk an edge! Highly recommend this recipe and all of Brandi’s recipes!
staysnatched says
haha! YES!
Tiffany says
Well, can I just say this sandwich was so good! It was beyond good and so moist. And it was even better the next day for lunch. I just happened to have buttermilk so I used it to brine with the pickle juice...from the pickles I fried that night too based on another staysnatched recipe. Thanks so much for sharing your recipes. I am a fan!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Marissa says
This was Absolutely divine. It will definitely be a weekly lunch
staysnatched says
I have been making it weekly, too!
Aimee A says
BRANDIIIIII GIRLLL! This recipe is AMAZING!! I saw this on your IG page and decided to come and try it out today. Listtteeennnn this recipe is EVERYTHING! We absolutely enjoyed it! Thank you thank you thank you! For those who are sceptical, you HAVE to try it, it won't disappoint yoy.!
Aimee A. says
Oh and I'm sharing this recipe with my family too!!?
staysnatched says
Yes, as you should!
staysnatched says
haha! LOVE IT! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Myra Thompson says
This is the first recipe I tried today, and it was a hit! Everyone loved the flavor. This will definitely be on repeat for us. Thank you so much for sharing!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Marsha Patrick says
Amazing! So juicy and delicious! I’m so happy that I can now make my own special sauce! When I say you hit this out of the park??!!! I mean grand slam deliciousness! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! This is what I like to hear.
Erika says
Yum! Easy to make, made exactly like the recipe and worked the very first time! I have since made it weekly for my boys ... it’s a hit!
staysnatched says
I love when it works on a first try!
OK says
What is the calorie amount?
staysnatched says
All of the nutrition info is in the recipe card, the area directly above where you typed in this comment.
Patricia says
I am going to try your recipe as soon as my son gets his air fryer. He insists that no one can make Chic fi a chicken that tastes like the real thing. Hoping to prove him wrong! ?
staysnatched says
I hope you do, too!
Mike says
Delicious!!! I had trouble keeping the breading on it. What are your thoughts about dredging the chicken twice?
staysnatched says
You can try that.
Shauna says
We don’t eat at Chick-fil-a due to a peanut allergy. This sandwich is amazing and a great alternative to going to the restaurant. Easy recipe to follow and super juicy chicken in the air fryer. Was also tempted to just eat the sauce with a spoon!
staysnatched says
I love the allergy tip!
PAT MARINO says
MADE THIS FOR LUNCH TODAY
OUTSTANDING. ALL YOUR RECIPES
HAVE BEEN GREAT. THANK YOU.PAT.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed!
Karri says
I made this last night and it was SPOT ON. My family loved it!!!!! Thanks!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad you liked it!
Carnyel says
Still trying to get used to my air fryer and Brandi's attention to detail in her instructions is ridiculously helpful. I did omit the pickle juice for my nonpickle loving family and the recipe was still amazing. Even my grown picky son complemented it. On to the next one... Thanks C
staysnatched says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Jenn T says
Loved this sandwich! I love the pickle juice flavor in CFA & these. We had ours with the air fryer fries, too.
staysnatched says
That's my favorite way to eat it!
Natalie aka Eilatan82 says
Hi Brandi,
I loved this recipe the flavor was on point! I had to take out the milk and I was missing the pickle juice BUT I loved the way it came out. I will be trying this recipe again this weekend now that I have the pickle juice and I have passed it on to my family to try. I maybe will make chicken nuggets this time.
The best thing about it that surprised me was the sugar! I have always worried about sugar in recipes but it really worked out to balance the salt and other flavors.
staysnatched says
That's their secret ingredient! And the pickle juice.
Lori D. says
Oh my goodness! This was just the bomb....especially the sauce on top! I made it by the recipe, only in the deep frier, for the husband and kids. Then, I put the same seasoning in crushed pork rinds for me and used the air fryer. I was asked if we could have this once a week. Thank you for a new family favorite. ❤️
staysnatched says
So glad I could impress the family!
Stephanie says
This was super easy to make and will be making it again in nugget form. My only note is that I need to upgrade my air fryer!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Missy M. says
Oh. My. Goodness! I just tried this recipe, and it was DELICIOUS. It tasted like the real thing!! My husband was upset that I didn’t make more; he had 2 sandwiches. ? We both loved it to say the least. I forgot to spray the bottom of my airfryer so my breading wasn’t the prettiest but it was still delish. I omitted the mayo in the sauce since I am not a fan, and my oh my, it was awesome. This will definitely become a staple in our home! Thanks for the awesome recipe.
staysnatched says
I often want a second sandwich!
Anonymous says
This was delicious. I only did the brine for 30 mins and it still had great flavor. I didn’t read thoroughly and made a mistake so a repeat attempt is coming soon. However, even with my error, this was still a win in this house!
staysnatched says
I'm glad it worked out!
Carrie says
I made these as nuggets with GF flour for lunch and my little girl with celiac cried tears of joy!! She has been missing CFA nuggets since her diagnosis but she doesn’t have to go without anymore! Thanks for this great recipe!!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Sateria says
This was so good! I can’t believe how juicy the chicken breast was and my husband enjoyed it too! I used buttermilk and gluten-free all purpose flour.
staysnatched says
I'm glad gluten free flour worked!
Claire Kraeling says
This pickle brine! wow!!! I used tenders, they only needed about 9 minutes to cook through, and the FLAVOR was AMAZING! This recipe rocks!
staysnatched says
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.
Charlie says
These were amazing! Will absolutely be making again. We used jarred jalapeño juice because we didn’t have pickle juice—so tasty!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Ebony S says
Just made this for my family and it was amazing!! My chicken was so moist I couldn’t stop eating it ????. That buttermilk pickle juice ❤️❤️❤️!
This recipe will definitely be in rotation at my house!
staysnatched says
hahaha! Yes! It's so juicy!
ShaToya says
I dont live near a chick-fil-a so I dont get to enjoy it very often so I was happy to try this recipe. I made this sandwich last week it came out so good, my husband asked me to make it again this week. Thanks for looking out lol!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Nicki says
So so so good! It tastes just like Chick-Fil-A! I made chicken thighs instead of a sandwich and they turned out perfect. This will become a staple in our house!
staysnatched says
I'm going to try these chicken thighs next!
Shannon Bronsink says
I’m excited to try this recipe! Have you tried it with almond flour rather an AP?
staysnatched says
No I haven't.
Coby says
Oh my goodness, this is amazing! My whole family loved it!!!
staysnatched says
I’m so glad the family loved it!
Lindsey says
SO DANG GOOD! And so easy to make. The sauce is amazing! I made chicken tenders with the same recipe and they were equally as amazing! I've been told to make this recipe often because of how much of a hit it was!
staysnatched says
love it! So glad you enjoyed it!
Lyndsey M. says
This recipe more than lived up to the hype. It was so good, and ridiculously easy. Definitely will be in regular rotation at my house!
staysnatched says
Glad it lived up to the hype!
Danielle Thompson says
Brandi, I can’t wait to try this. What do you think about using thighs instead of breasts? Any adjustments?
staysnatched says
The cook time will vary. You have to cook chicken using a meat thermometer until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Watch it and test the temp.
Ebony says
Really enjoyed. Easy to make. My chicken was so moist.
staysnatched says
That's the best part of this sandwich!
Maryam says
This is the BEST sandwich I’ve ever had. Tastes so much better than chickfila in my opinion and want to make it multiple times a week. Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
staysnatched says
Yay. Best sandwich, I love the sound of that!
Kendra says
My kids and I loved the recipe! It is easy to make and very flavorful.
Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Morgan says
My husband and I LOVED these sandwiches. The brine kept the chicken so juicy and the chicken had the perfect amount of breading. I am going to make these again because I forgot the powdered sugar but they still turned out awesome!
staysnatched says
Yes! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Cassie says
This is so good! The best air fryer, or really any, breaded chicken I’ve made. Will be a staple in my house! In a pinch without pickle juice or buttermilk I’ve omitted them and it’s still great!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you still enjoyed it!
Lauren says
This chicken sandwich was so good and easy to make. I will be using this recipe again and telling my friends to try it out.
staysnatched says
Thanks for telling your friends!
Sheyla L. says
Wow. I am blown away! I made the low carb/spicy version. So dang delicious and PACKED with flavor.
staysnatched says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Christina says
This recipe was so easy! When I asked my husband what he wanted for dinner he said chick-fil-a. I remembered seeing this on Instagram and thought I’d give it a go. He ate two and asked for more!
staysnatched says
haha I love that I was able to impress him.