🍗 Air Fryer Fried Chicken Sandwiches
🍽️ Serves: 2–4 (depending on chicken size)
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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2–4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (pounded to even thickness)
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1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
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1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
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Salt & pepper to taste
For the Breading:
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1 cup plain flour
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½ cup cornflour (cornstarch) – for extra crisp
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp cayenne (optional)
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Salt & black pepper to taste
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Spray oil (or a little vegetable oil for brushing)
For the Sandwich:
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2–4 burger buns (brioche or soft rolls work best)
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Pickles
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Lettuce
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Sliced tomato (optional)
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Mayonnaise (or spicy mayo, ranch, or aioli)
👨🍳 Method:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
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Mix buttermilk, hot sauce (if using), salt, and pepper.
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Add chicken and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).
2. Prep the Breading:
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In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornflour, spices, and salt.
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Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off, and dredge in the flour mix. Press it in well for a shaggy, craggy coating.
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(Optional but better) Let coated chicken rest on a wire rack for 10–15 mins to help the breading stick.
3. Air Fry the Chicken:
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Preheat air fryer to 190°C / 375°F for 3–5 minutes.
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Lightly spray or brush chicken with oil on both sides.
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Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
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Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until golden, crispy, and internal temp is 75°C / 165°F.
4. Assemble the Sandwich:
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Toast your buns lightly (in a pan, toaster, or air fryer for 1–2 mins).
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Spread mayo or sauce of choice on the buns.
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Add crispy chicken, pickles, lettuce, and tomato if using.
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Close it up and dig in!
🔄 Variations:
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Nashville Hot: Brush with spicy butter sauce after cooking.
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Spicy Mayo: Mix mayo + sriracha or hot sauce + a little honey.
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Cheese it up: Add a slice of American, cheddar, or pepper jack right after cooking.