Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich
This crispy, spicy chicken sandwich is a comfort classic — made super easy in the air fryer! Crispy coated chicken thighs are topped with spicy sauce, crunchy slaw, and sliced pickles, served on a toasted brioche bun.
Using an air fryer for the crispy chicken saves time and uses a lot less oil, for a lighter alternative to a deep frying! The crispy coating is so flavourful, balanced with the spicy sauce and the crunchy slaw and pickles, this sandwich satisfies all your cravings in about 30 minutes!
How long does Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich take to make?
Mixing up the coating only takes a few minutes. While the chicken cooks, you can toss together the coleslaw and mix the spicy sauce. Toast the buns, and then all you have to do is assemble the chicken sandwich to your liking.
Let’s talk about the ingredients for Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Chicken thighs – For this sandwich, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I love using chicken thighs because they stay moist if you accidentally overcook them, and have so much flavour.
Spices – The coating uses a blend of herbs and spices, that makes for a delicious piece of chicken!
Coleslaw – For a low effort dinner, I used prepared shredded coleslaw mix. I make the dressing from scratch as it’s only a few ingredients and tastes like fresh slaw.
Spicy sauce – This spicy sauce is incredibly easy; it’s simply mayonnaise and sriracha chili sauce, but WOW it adds delicious flavour that’s perfect on a fried chicken sandwich.
Pickles – Don’t forget the pickles! Feel free to use whatever pickles you prefer.
Can I Make Substitutions?
Chicken thighs – You can use chicken breast! Cut them in half horizontally, so each piece is ½ inch thick. Reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes but do check the internal temperature is 165°F and continue cooking until done.
Herbs & spice mix — If your cupboard is bare and you don’t have all the spices necessary, you can use just salt, pepper, and paprika. Or, you could substitute a spice blend such as Old Bay seasoning, seasoning salt, or a bbq rub made for chicken would also work.
Coleslaw — you can shred your own cabbage to make the slaw more to your liking. You can use this method to prepare the shredded cabbage so it doesn’t get watery.
Spicy sauce – For a smokier flavour, substitute the sriracha chili sauce with chipotle chili powder.
The Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich Method
If you have breaded meat before, this method should be familiar to you. If this is the first time —don’t worry, it’s really easy!
You are setting up a breading station. In one shallow baking dish, you put the beaten eggs. In the second dish, you mix the flour with all the spices, and a third dish holds the corn flake crumbs.
Then all you do, is dip the chicken piece first in the flour, then in the egg, then into the corn flakes. Gently press the corn flakes into the chicken, and put the breaded piece of chicken on a plate. When all the chicken is done, you put it in the air fryer. I always like to spray a bit of non-stick cooking spray (I like the olive oil kind) so it will get even crispier.
In no time, you’ll have crispy, delicious chicken!
Serving Options
- You can make this delicious, crispy chicken into chicken strips and serve with the spicy sauce as a dipping sauce.
- Keeping with chicken strip option, you can wrap the crispy chicken strips in a tortilla with some shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, bacon chunks, and of course drizzled with that spicy sauce!
Make them Gluten-Free!
Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the flour step, and gluten-free corn flakes in the corn flake step, and use a gluten-free bun. Simple!
Can I make this Crispy Chicken Sandwich without an Air Fryer?
Don’t worry, you can still make this! Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and bake it that way. The corn flakes will ensure that it is crispy. If your oven has a convection setting, use that! Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked all the way through (165°F or 74°C). Don’t stress about overcooking if you’re using chicken thighs, they are very forgiving. If you’re using chicken breast meat, then keep an eye on it and test often so it doesn’t overcook and dry out!
Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 3 Shallow baking dishes
- parchment paper
- bowl for mixing sauce
- bowl for mixing coleslaw
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 cups corn flakes crushed into large crumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1.5 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 Tbsp white pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt plus more for sprinkling
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Non-stick cooking spray
Coleslaw
- 2 cups shredded coleslaw mix
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp honey
Spicy Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp sriracha chili sauce
For assembling
- 4 brioche buns cut in half, if necessary
- 1 Tbsp butter
- Sliced pickles of your preference
Instructions
- Clean up chicken thighs by removing any tendons or excess fat.
- In a shallow baking dish, beat 2 eggs and set aside.
- In another shallow baking dish, whisk together flour and all the spices.
- In the 3rd baking dish, add the crushed corn flakes.
- Bread the chicken thighs by dredging through the spiced flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, then dip in the corn flake crumbs, pressing the crumbs into the chicken gently until every bit is coated in the crumbs.
- Shake off any excess, and set aside on a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs.
- Line air fryer baskets with parchment paper or use a non-stick liner. Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- Place coated chicken in air fryer, and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook for 25-35 minutes, flipping the chicken over after 15 minutes, and spraying again with non-stick cooking spray. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Time may vary depending on your air fryer.
Make the coleslaw
- While chicken is cooking, prepare coleslaw dressing by whisking mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and honey together in a large bowl.
- Add coleslaw mix and toss until combined. Set aside.
Make the spicy sauce
- Make the spicy sauce by whisking together mayonnaise and chili sauce. Set aside.
- Prepare brioche buns by lightly buttering cut sides and toast in a skillet, on a flat griddle, or under the oven broiler.
- When the chicken is done, immediately sprinkle chicken with salt, then assemble the sandwiches.
Assemble the sandwiches
- Spread spicy sauce on each toasted bun.
- Top the bottom bun with slices of pickle, then 1 piece of crispy chicken.
- Top chicken with ¼ cup prepared coleslaw. Top with the top side of the bun.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Love Chicken? Here are some of my favourite Chicken recipes