Air Fried Spicy Chicken Sandwich {Popeyes Copycat}

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

4.86 from 7 votes

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.

Prep Time40

Cook Time15

Total Time55

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air fried crispy chicken sandwich, Air fried spicy chicken sandwich, Popeyes copycat chicken sandwich, Popeyes copycat recipe

Servings: Servings

Calories: 626kcal

Author: Sunena Anand

Equipment

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

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

Nutrition