Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches can be made at home on Sundays or any day of the week, without ever having to visit the restaurant! 😉
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
KFC Chicken Littles and Chick fil-A Chicken Sandwiches are the bomb, right!
Uou can have Chick-fil-A Sandwiches on Sundays and any day of the year, without ever having to step foot in that restaurant. 😉
After trying many different brands of air fryers, this Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer (<<< get this one!!!) is my favorite. It cooks very evenly and it is more reliable than most of the other brands.
Cast of Ingredients for Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Don’t let the list of ingredients scare you away. They are just normal pantry items.
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Ingredients for Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Breast – if you prefer thighs, use thighs.
- Eggs and Milk
- Flour and Potato Starch
- Celery Seed – CFA uses celery salt, but I think it tastes better using celery seed
- Pickles, Salt and Pepper and Paprika
- Secret Ingredient – this is CFA’s secret ingredient
Before you gather ingredients, think about soaking potatoes and make my delicious Air Fryer French Fries or even some Air Fryer Onion Rings as a side.
Place Chicken Breasts in Baggie
How To Pound Chicken
- Place the chicken breast in a large Ziploc Baggie and zip it locked.
- Place the bag of chicken on a wooden cutting board.
- Use a Meat Tenderizer and pound the chicken until it is about 1/2 inch thick and/or pretty even from end to end.
Don’t throw out this bag after pounding as it will be used again for the marinade!
Pounded Chicken Breast
What Size to Cut Chicken Breasts
- Depending on the size of your buns and chicken breasts, cut the breasts into two or three pieces.
- The chicken will bulk up after breading, so cut the chicken into pieces that are a bit smaller than the buns.
Pro Tip: Buns come in so many sizes and size of chicken pieces is dependent upon bun size. For sliders, you may need to cut the chicken into four pieces.
Another delicious recipe to use for parties and events is my Air Fryer Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Wings. OMG, the goodness in these is incredible.
Place Chicken Breasts into Baggie with Pickle Juice
Why Use Pickle Juice for Chick-fil-A Chicken?
- Dill pickle juice and peperoncini juice both work well to brine and tenderize the chicken. Dill pickle juice however, will give you the exact taste of the famous chain restaurant.
- The chicken will plump up and keep from drying out.
- Pickle juice also makes the chicken very juicy while cooking. You can even brine chicken parts and pieces in pickle juice for cooking with other methods.
Fear not, the chicken is not going to taste like one big ole pickle! My Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Sandwich recipe is great for making ahead and storing in the freezer, for when the mood strikes. Another recipe which uses pickle juice as a brine is my Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
Dunk Chicken in Egg Mixture
In one Mixing Bowl, prepare the flour and seasonings mixture. In another Mixing Bowl, crack open the eggs and Whisk together well.
Can the Chicken Be Frozen in Advance?
- Yes, there are two ways to make freezer meals.
- Prepare several packages of pounded chicken breast with dill pickle juice and use your FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System and place into freezer for when a sudden Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich craving hits.
- The chicken can also be frozen after the breading has been added. The chicken can be cooked frozen. You will just need to add a few more minutes.
For a low carb version, try my Low Carb Chicken Schnitzel recipe!
Shake off Excess Flour Coating
How to Bread Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
- Drop one piece of chicken at a time into the Egg/Milk Mixture.
- Use Silicone Coated Tongs (you don’t want to scratch your Air Fryer) and pick up the chicken and place in Flour Mixture Bowl.
- Use the Tongs to toss flour over the chicken and flip to make sure the chicken is completely coated.
- The pick up the chicken with the Tongs and shake off any excess flour.
The reason I like to use Tongs, rather than fingers, is that the wet with the flour will gunk up on your fingers and make it difficult for the flour to stick properly.
Prepare Air Fryer Basket for Chicken
For more information on seasoning air fryers, please see my How to Properly Season Air Fryer Basket to Prevent Sticking article.
Tips and Tricks for Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches
- Cut chicken into slightly smaller pieces than the bun.
- Pound the chicken evenly so that it is the same thickness all around.
- When dredging the chicken more is not better. A light layer will do. Shake off excess coating!!!!! This is key. If you do not shake off excess coating, the coating WILL fall off the chicken when you flip the pieces.
- Grease basket of air fryer well.
-
Generously Spray Chicken Breasts with Oil
Can I use Air Fryer Crisper Lid?
Of course, it is meant to be used as an air fryer.
- Mealthy CrispLid (buy from Mealthy) / Mealthy CrispLid (buy from Amazon)
- Instant Pot Crisping Lid (buy from Instant Pot) / Instant Pot Crisping Lid (buy from Amazon)
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Zaxby’s Chicken Dipping Sauce is really good on this sandwich too, in lieu of mayonnaise! Serve along with my Delicious Air Fryer French Fries. Truth be told, I also have a Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer, so that I can do my fries at the same time. 🙂
You can use your Air Fryer to butter and toast the very soft buns you bought, or, if you love to bake, like I do, use your own homemade Bread Buns. I like to put my Dill Pickle Chips right up on top of the Air Fried Chicken, because they belong on top and not hidden away. Be proud of those Pickles! I also like to add a dollop of mayonnaise to my Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. Enjoy.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to Make:
- Air Fryer Persian Kabab Koobideh {Chicken Kabob}
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeño Poppers – makes a nice appetizer or dinner.
- Lemony Middle Eastern Air Fryer Crispy Sumac Chicken
- Air Fryer Japanese Blistered Shishito Peppers
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer
- J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk– a MUST have, probably my most used utensil
- Cilio Olivewood Spatula
- Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
- My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
- Meat Tenderizer – Breading Station – Silicone Coated Tongs
- Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking
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Here is your handy printable recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts Boneless/Skinless pounded
- 1/2 cup Dill Pickle Juice
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Potato Starch
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Celery Seed ground
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil extra virgin
For Assembling
- 4 Hamburger Buns toasted/buttered
- 8 Dill Pickle Chips or more
Spicy Option
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper for spicy sandwiches
Recommended Products
Instructions
- Place chicken into a Ziploc Baggie and pound, so that the whole piece is the same thickness, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut chicken into two or three pieces (depending on size). Each piece should be a bit bigger than your buns.
- Place pieces of chicken back into Ziploc baggie and pour in pickle juice. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, beat egg with the milk. In another bowl, combine flour, potato starch, baking powder and all spices.
- Using tongs, coat chicken with egg mixture and then into flour mixture, making sure pieces are completely coated. Shake off excess flour (this is important).
- Spray the basket of your air fryer with Oil and place chicken into air fryer and spray the chicken with oil.
- Cook at 340 degrees for 6 minutes. Using silicone tongs, carefully flip the chicken and spray with oil. Cook for 6 more minutes.
- Raise the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for two minutes on each side.
- Serve on buttered and toasted buns, with 2 pickle chips and a small dollop of mayonnaise, if desired.
Notes
Can an Air Fryer Lid Be Used?
Yes, any crisping lid can be used to make Chic Fil-a Chicken Sandwiches.- Mealthy CrispLid (buy from Mealthy) / Mealthy CrispLid (buy from Amazon)
- Instant Pot Crisping Lid (buy from Instant Pot) / Instant Pot Crisping Lid (buy from Amazon)
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich.
- Creamy & Crispy Air Fryer Avocado Fries - perfect side dish for Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich!
- Air Fryer Greasy Spoon Home Fried Potatoes - you will think you are in a New York diner!
- Quick Air Fryer Doughnuts {Cinnamon & Sugar Donuts} - don't forget dessert.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Make:
- Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak with Blue Cheese Butter Keto - this will be the best thing you ever ate!
- Air Fryer Carne Asada Recipe {Grilled Meat Tacos} - totally incredibly delicious!
- Air Fryer Simple Grilled American Cheese Sandwich - you won't believe the ease of this recipe.
- Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish {Louisiana Cajun Style}
Nutrition
PIN this Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich {Copycat Recipe}!
Made this today because we love Chick fl A. Followed instructions exactly and admit it was tasty. I took care to follow the recommendations to shake off excess flour. Cooked at 340 for the required time and 400 for 2 min each side. It just did not look anything like in the picture. Not sure what happened. Will try again later in the week.
Otherwise, very tasty.
Maybe it’s just me or the air fryer I have, but I cooked this longer than directed and the crust never got crispy. On top of that, a lot came off while I was flipping. I have one of those air fryers with multiple sheets/levels and not a bucket one, so could have been that. I’ll still to breaking in panko like usual.
This recipe was so good we had some leftovers and I tried making sandwiches for the next day ans heating it up but the chicken turned into jerky is there a reason why I got so hard?
Hi Destiny. I am glad you enjoyed the sandwiches. If your heat was too high on the reheat, that would dry it out. Jill
I cannot wait to try this recipe! I just got a Cuisinart Air Fryer/Toaster oven. I would like to make your fries to go with this, but I don’t see it being possible to make both at the same time. Which would you do first and howo do you keep one item hot and ready to eat while the other is frying?
Thanks! I am new to this air fryer cooking!
I’m making this Sunday is the bun included in the nutritional facts?
Thank you
This recipe is fantastic on flavor point! I would only add a tiny bit of more salt but other than that – this is super!
Thank you so much, Margie. Jill
These are amazing!! I have having trouble with the chicken sticking to the tray even when I spray with oil…any suggestions?
Thanks, Jenny. It is important to shake off the coating after each dipping. Jill
The taste was good. Most of the coating got crisp. I think 1/2 cup of flour is enough for two breasts adjusting the spices. I think that 5 and 5 minutes would be better. Came out a little dry which has never happened before with chicken. Loved that simple suggestion to make sure extra coating is always shaken off. Logically I now see why less is better. Thanks.
Thanks, Kathy. Did you soak the chicken in the pickle juice for a while, as that will keep the chicken nice and juicy. Jill
Does the nutritional facts include the bun?
Made this tonight and it was a HUGE hit with my family!! I followed the recipe exactly and they turned out perfect! My 10 year old, who is a very picky eater, ate 1 whole sandwich plus 1/4 of another! He also asked if this dinner could be put into “the regular rotation”. Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks, Colleen. Glad everyone liked it. Every person on earth is a picky eater, so don’t worry about your child. We all like what we like. Jill
Would love to try to make these and have all of the ingredients other than potato starch. Is there a substitute that can be used in lieu of the potato starch as we are in the middle of the COVID-19 Safer-At-Home state orders and do not want to venture out just to grab a non-essential item?
Hi Angela. Potato starch can be ordered on line, which I link to in the recipe, but you can try using cornstarch or tapioca starch. Jill
We’re on day #8 of the 15 day lock down.
I ventured out for the first time in 3 weeks to find boneless skinless chicken breasts at the supermarket. Normally, I’m a boneless skinless chicken thigh kinda guy but let’s do this thing; breasts it shall be.
I was surprised at the yield. $5.62 worth of chicken breasts is 5 chick-faux-let sandwiches (from 1 breast) and at least 2 chicken cordon bleu…. thingies (I have no idea how to do this, so far) for tomorrow night. For myself and my son, we’re talking 2-3 days worth of homemade food.
And I have chicken boob scraps for the dog. Who knew!??
It’s comfort food tonight, with a favorite tried and true recipe. Tomorrow, we’ll tackle something new and exciting (food wise) as we wait out these scary and difficult times.
Hi Tom. I am glad you are staying safe. We’ve been locked down here for a couple of weeks and will continue on the lock down. I am so glad you are enjoying this recipe and have enough to feed yourself and your son. Thank you for the lovely message. You got this! Jill
Well, basically, not exactly. 🙂 I hope you enjoy my recipe. Jill
I’ve been making these for a couple of years now in our old basket air fryer. I recently got one of the Emeril Air Fryer 360s (basically a convection oven) and am going to give it a whirl tonight. This is the first recipe I came across it’s the one I’ve continued to stick with. I often have a hard time not losing my breading when I flip them but no one seems to care. I’m going to make them tonight and I think I’m going to double coat them and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to let the breading set up and see if it holds better. Even if half the breading is gone, they still taste awesome. It’s all about the Izzy’s pickle juice. I like to finish these with Dirty Dick’s hot sauce. Sweet heat.
I have an Omni, will the cooking time and temperature be Thebes same?
I don’t know what that is, but any air fryer recipe works in any air fryer, just like any oven recipe works in any oven regardless of brand. Can you imagine if recipes were specific to every single brand of oven on the market? LG Chicken, Samsung Chicken, Frigedaire Chicken, White Westinghouse Chicken, GE Chicken….
Made this for my boyfriend and I for dinner tonight. I paired it with a spicy garlic mayo (one clove of garlic and however much hot sauce I felt like) and it was so good! I will definitely be making this again.
Thank you, Allie. Jill
That sounds great, Allie. So glad you enjoyed my recipe. Jill
Thank you for all the help.I am going to try the Chic-Fil-A sandwich this weekend. I just got my Ninja Foodi Air Crisper and love it. We love Chic Fil A but it is 20 miles from our home and always 2 lanes so busy.
Thanks, Lorraine. Enjoy and please let me know how you do. Jill
Hi! The flavor of this is amazing, but I’ve made this twice now and keep running into the same problems. For some reason the flour/wet mixture gets stuck to the basket and falls off the chicken (even after liberally spraying it). I’m new to the air fryer world and am confused. Any suggestions?
I’ve read that you should put anything with breading in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
What did I do wrong? None of the breading stayed on the chicken. When I flipped the chicken it came right off?
One part of my first meal using the crisplid. Everyone in the family loved it. Can’t wait to make again and try a spicy version. Never disappointed in any of your recipes I tried. Thank you for making supper a lot easier since I found you!
Hi Natasha. Thank you so much for the sweet and kind words. I am glad you are enjoying my recipes. Jill