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Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwich recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a crispy, flavorful panko breadcrumb crust infused with hot sauce and spices, all served on soft brioche buns with a spicy mayonnaise spread. It’s a quick and easy meal perfect for those who love a bit of heat in their sandwiches, cooked to perfection in the air fryer for a healthier take on fried chicken sandwiches.


Ingredients

For the Chicken and Coating

  • 4 Hamburger Buns
  • 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 tablespoons Hot Sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot Sauce)
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

For the Spicy Mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise


Instructions

  1. Prepare Breadcrumbs: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated with oil. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until they turn lightly brown, then set aside to cool. This step ensures the breadcrumbs become extra crispy when air fried.
  2. Make the Batter: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg, all-purpose flour, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This spicy batter will flavor the chicken and help the breadcrumbs adhere.
  3. Prepare the Chicken: Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and tenderize them gently using a meat mallet to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Cut each breast in half crosswise to create four pieces total.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first into the prepared batter, ensuring an even coat. Then dredge them thoroughly in the toasted panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the crust fully.
  5. Air Fry the Chicken: Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway through. If the breadcrumbs appear dry mid-cooking, lightly spray with additional cooking spray to promote browning and crispiness.
  6. Prepare Spicy Mayo: While the chicken cooks, mix together the hot sauce and mayonnaise in a small bowl to create a creamy and spicy spread.
  7. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread the spicy mayo generously on the top halves of the hamburger buns. Layer the crispy chicken patties on the bottom buns and add your favorite toppings if desired (lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc.). Top with the mayo-spread bun halves and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, you can double coat the chicken by dipping again in the batter and breadcrumbs before air frying.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in both the batter and mayo to suit your preferred spice level.
  • Ensure the chicken pieces are cooked through by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • To keep buns from getting soggy, toast them lightly before assembling.
  • You can substitute any hot sauce of your choice for different flavor profiles.