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The Sassy Foodie » Recipes » Meals for One

Air Fried Spicy Chicken Sandwich {Popeyes Copycat}

Published: Oct 4, 2021 by Sunena Anand · This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission from sales. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · 8 Comments

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Remember when spicy chicken sandwiches took over the nation? Like, people fighting over chicken sandwiches take over. What a time that was. That spicy chicken sandwich is so easy to recreate at home. Perfectly brined with pickle juice and hot sauce, breaded and air fried to crisp perfection, all on a soft butter brioche bun, this spicy chicken sandwich might just be better than the fast food counterpart.

Spicy chicken sandwiches on parchment paper, with a glass of beer

These sandwiches go perfectly with air fryer potato wedges, or even mustard potato salad - the options are endless!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Air Fried Spicy Chicken Sandwich {Popeyes Copycat}
  • 💬 Comments

Ingredients

Ingredients for spicy chicken sandwiches labelled on a sheet tray
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Whole milk
  • Pickle juice
  • Louisiana hot sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Old bay
  • All purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Mayonnaise [not pictured]

A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.

Instructions

START WITH...

Collecting all your ingredients - This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby. 

Make the mayonnaise - Mix together the spicy mayonnaise spread, and set aside.

Step by step instructions to prepare the chicken sandwiches
  1. Pound the chicken: Using either a meat mallet or any heavy objects in your kitchen, pound out the chicken breast until the chicken breast is big enough to fit your bun.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to a mixing bowl. Marinate in the hot sauce, pickle juice and milk. Let the chicken sit as long as you have time for - the longer the better! I recommend at the very least, 30 minutes.
  3. Dredge the chicken: To another mixing bowl, add the flour, spices and salt. Add in 2 tablespoons of the liquid marinade to the chicken and stir. Let most of the marinade drip off the chicken, and add to the seasoned flour. Dredge on both sides.
  4. Air fry: Spray the chicken on both sides with cooking spray - I used avocado oil spray. Put in the air fryer basket, and air fry for 10-15 minutes at 390°F. The timing will depend on your individual air fryer, so keep an eye out at the 10 minute mark!
  5. Assemble the sandwiches: Liberally spread the spicy mayonnaise on both sides of your brioche buns. Top with the chicken breast, bread and butter pickles, and finish with the top bun!

Expert Tip

Spray the chicken completely! Because we are air frying these chicken cutlets, be sure to coat the entire surface area of the chicken in oil or cooking spray. This will ensure there is no "raw" flour, and the entire surface is crispy.

Substitutions

  • Chicken breast - If you prefer dark meat, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as well.
  • Milk - For extra tang, you can use buttermilk. You can also use cream that you have on hand, such as half and half or heavy cream.

Variations

  • Non-spicy - omit the hot sauce and cayenne completely, and use regular mayonnaise on the bun.
  • Deep fried - you can deep free these chicken breasts instead of air frying. I recommend using a neutral oil such as canola or peanut oil.
  • Chick-fil-a style- top with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes for a "deluxe" chick-fil-a sandwich
  • South American twist - Slather the bun with chimichurri aioli instead of spicy mayo for an herby twist!

Equipment

This is what I used to make this recipe - Please be mindful that different equipment and cooking utensils may yield varying results. Most of my favourite equipment can be found on my storefront.

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Air fryer
  • Meat mallet

Storage

These chicken sandwiches are best made fresh. If you are looking to make the chicken ahead of time, you can marinate it up to 24 hours prior to cooking. The chicken will be extra moist and juicy! Dredge and air fry when you're ready to eat.

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Spicy chicken sandwiches on parchment paper, with a glass of beer

Air Fried Spicy Chicken Sandwich {Popeyes Copycat}

Perfectly brined with pickle juice and hot sauce, breaded and air fried to crisp perfection, all on a soft butter brioche bun, this spicy chicken sandwich might just be better than the fast food counterpart.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Estimated Calories: 626kcal
Author: Sunena Anand

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 Chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • ½ cup Whole milk
  • ¼ cup Pickle juice
  • ¼ cup Louisiana hot sauce

Chicken Dredge

  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Old bay
  • ½ cup All purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

Spicy Mayonnaise

  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

To Assemble

  • 2 Brioche hamburger buns
  • Bread and butter pickles to serve

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Air Fryer
  • Whisk
  • Meat mallet

Instructions

  • Pound the chicken: Using either a meat mallet or any heavy object, pound out the chicken breast until the chicken breast is big enough to fit your bun.
    2 Chicken breasts
  • Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to a mixing bowl. Marinate in the hot sauce, pickle juice and milk. Let the chicken sit as long as you have time for at least 30 minutes.
    ½ cup Whole milk, ¼ cup Pickle juice, ¼ cup Louisiana hot sauce, 2 Chicken breasts
  • Dredge the chicken: To another mixing bowl, add the flour, spices and salt. Add in 2 tablespoons of the liquid marinade to the chicken and stir. Let most of the marinade drip off the chicken, and add to the seasoned flour. Dredge on both sides.
    1 teaspoon Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon Onion powder, ¼ teaspoon Old bay, ½ cup All purpose flour
  • Air fry: Spray the chicken on both sides with cooking spray. Put in the air fryer basket, and air fry for 10-15 minutes at 390°F. The timing will depend on your individual air fryer, check at around 10 minutes.
  • Assemble the sandwiches: Liberally spread the spicy mayonnaise on both sides of your brioche buns. Top with the chicken breast, bread and butter pickles, and finish with the top bun.
    ¼ cup Mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce, 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, 2 Brioche hamburger buns, Bread and butter pickles

Estimated Nutrition

Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 2293mg | Potassium: 1048mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1516IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimberly

    July 01, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    I'm wondering why you dip the chicken in the marinade again? "Dredge the chicken: To another mixing bowl, add the flour, spices and salt. Add in 2 tablespoons of the liquid marinade to the chicken and stir. Let most of the marinade drip off the chicken, and add to the seasoned flour. Dredge on both sides. If the chicken is in the marinade why is this step necessary? Unless you dip it twice in the flour? Thank you for clarifying.

    Reply
    • Sunena Anand

      July 01, 2022 at 7:40 pm

      Hi Kimberly! Great question - by adding a couple of spoons of the marinade to the flour, you will form some clumps in the dredge. This will add some extra crunch to the breading, almost the same effect as double dredging, without actually having to do it twice. You can definitely skip this step if you prefer. You will still end up with a good amount of crunch on the chicken 🙂

      Reply
  2. Equi

    January 13, 2023 at 8:15 pm

    5 stars
    Made this twice now. So rich. So easy. So good

    Reply
    • Sunena Anand

      January 17, 2023 at 11:17 am

      I am so happy to hear that, Equi! It is a a favorite around here, too! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lois

    April 28, 2023 at 8:15 pm

    5 stars
    This was the best air fryer chicken that I've made since I got my af 2 years ago. I have been saving a jar of pickle juice just for this! I only had bone-in, skin on breasts, but wow. I cooked them for about 25 minutes at 190c, and checked the temp, it took a couple more minutes but shot up quickly. The coating and skin actually made crunchy sounds when I cut into it, even after it sat for a bit! Beautiful flavor, great with the spicy mayo (which I also used as a dipping sauce for my oven breaded veggies on the side). So simple and better than fast food.

    Reply
    • Sunena Anand

      May 02, 2023 at 10:03 pm

      I am SO happy to hear that, Lois! I totally agree that it is a fantastic alternative to fast food 🙂

      Reply
      • Lois Demers

        July 03, 2023 at 6:14 pm

        5 stars
        I've now made this with bone-in breasts, boneless whole breasts and today did the flattened sandwich... it is the best chicken that I've made!

      • Sunena Anand

        July 10, 2023 at 8:30 pm

        I am so happy to hear that, Lois! I love that you have tried different variations 🙂

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Hi, I'm Sunena! I am a law student by day, and a homecook with a passion for food, by night! Welcome to my online kitchen, where I make easy, quick recipes that are tried and true family favourites!

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