Description
This Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich recipe delivers a crispy, juicy chicken sandwich inspired by the popular fast-food chain. Marinated in pickle juice to infuse tangy flavor, then coated in a seasoned flour mixture and fried to golden perfection, each bite offers a delightful balance of savory spices and crunchy texture. The recipe also includes an air fryer step to finish cooking, ensuring the chicken is tender and cooked through while maintaining its crispiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 cup pickle juice
Coating
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Batter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp peanut oil (plus 2–3 cups for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into 4 equal pieces for individual sandwiches.
- Marinate: Place the chicken pieces in pickle juice and marinate for 1 hour to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, basil, salt, and pepper to make the seasoned flour coating.
- Prepare Wet Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well blended.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the seasoned flour mixture, then into the egg and milk batter, and finally dip back into the flour to create a double coating for extra crispiness.
- Heat Oil: Pour 2-3 cups of peanut oil into a deep frying pan and preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry Chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 5 minutes to prepare for finishing the chicken.
- Air Fry Chicken: Place the fried chicken pieces on the air fryer rack, spray them lightly with peanut oil, and cook for 20 minutes to finish cooking and crisp up further.
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice ensures tenderness and gives the signature Chick-fil-A tangy flavor.
- Double coating the chicken helps achieve an extra crispy crust.
- Using peanut oil is traditional for authentic flavor and high smoke point ideal for frying.
- The air fryer step is optional but helps finish cooking the chicken evenly while maintaining crispiness without extra oil.
- Always check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, fried chicken breast, sandwich recipe, homemade chicken sandwich
