Forget about greasy takeout! These Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwiches are way better and so much easier to make at home. They’re perfect for a quick lunch or an easy weeknight dinner.
Instead of deep-frying, you make these in an air fryer. That means the chicken gets super crispy and flavorful without all the extra grease. You’ll have a delicious, homemade sandwich ready in minutes!
The sandwich is made with juicy chicken breasts coated in a spicy breading and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Then it’s piled high on a soft bun with your favorite toppings, like lettuce, tomato, and a creamy sauce. It’s a seriously tasty sandwich that you can make anytime! Sources and related content
Reasons to Love Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwiches:
- Awesome Flavors: Get ready for a flavor explosion! These sandwiches have the perfect mix of juicy chicken and a spicy kick.
- Better for you: You can enjoy these crispy sandwiches without all the extra fat from frying.
- Super Fast: These sandwiches are ready in a flash, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: You can easily change up the spices and toppings to make these sandwiches just how you like them.
- Easy cleanup: Say goodbye to messy oil splatters! Cleaning up is super easy with air frying.
- Classic with a Twist: It’s the classic chicken sandwich you love, but made in a new and exciting way.
How do I adjust the spiciness of these air fried chicken sandwiches?
Turning up the heat:
- Spicy Mayo: Increase the amount of Cayenne and Hot Sauce you add.
- Spicy toppings: Top your sandwich with some sliced jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Cooling things down:
- Spicy Mayo: Halve the spicy ingredients in the mayo sauce or omit it all together and stick with a simple mayo.
- Cooling toppings: Add some cool and creamy toppings like avocado, cucumber, ranch dressing, or a slice of tomato.
- Serve with something mild: Pair your sandwich with a side of something mild and refreshing, like a simple salad or some fruit.
Remember, you can always start with less spice and add more later if you want. It’s easier to make something spicier than it is to make it less spicy!
When Should I serve these Spicy Chicken Sandwiches?
While my answer is ANYTIME, here are a few suggestions.
- Quick weeknight dinner: Because they’re so fast and easy to make, these sandwiches are perfect for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
- Casual get-togethers or unexpected guests: Having friends over to watch a game or just hang out? These sandwiches are great for casual gatherings. You can even set out a variety of toppings and let everyone customize their own.
- Picnics and barbecues: These sandwiches are easy to transport, so they’re perfect for picnics, barbecues, or tailgating.
- Lunchboxes: Make a few extra sandwiches and pack them in lunchboxes for a tasty and satisfying lunch.
- Anytime you’re craving a delicious chicken sandwich! Really, there’s no bad time to enjoy one of these.
No matter when you serve them, these sandwiches are sure to be a hit!
What Toppings Go Well On These Spicy Chicken Sandwiches?
You’re thinking about toppings? Awesome! Here are some ideas to make our air fryer spicy chicken sandwiches even tastier:
Veggies:
- Lettuce: A classic! Try crisp romaine or some crunchy iceberg lettuce.
- Tomato: Adds some juicy sweetness.
- Onion: Red onion adds a nice bite, but you could also use thinly sliced white or yellow onion.
- Pickles: Dill pickles or bread and butter pickles add a tangy crunch.
Cheese:
- Pepper Jack: This is a great choice if you like things extra spicy.
- Cheddar: A classic that always goes well with chicken.
- Monterey Jack: Adds a creamy, melty texture.
- Mozzarella: A mild cheese that will help cut the heat a tad.
Sauces:
The spicy mayo is to die for with these, but we understand you might like something different, so try one of these.
- Ranch: A cool and creamy classic.
- Blue cheese: Tangy and flavorful.
- Honey mustard: Adds a sweet and tangy kick.
Other ideas:
- Bacon: Because everything is better with bacon!
- Avocado: Adds a creamy texture and better for you fats.
- Guacamole: For an extra spicy kick, try a jalapeño guacamole or even a salsa.
Remember: You can get creative and mix and match different toppings to create your own perfect chicken sandwich!
More Fantastic Sandwich Recipes
- Avocado Bacon Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Grilled Pizza Sandwiches
- Crockpot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
- Parmesan Chicken Sandwiches
Notes for Making Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
You can have these on the table in under 20 minutes!
A few notes to remember:
- Don’t crowd the chicken in the air fryer. Allow the air to circulate.
- At the halfway mark flip them over.
- Always test chicken with a thermometer to make sure the thickest part is cooked to 165 degrees F.
- Remember that all air fryers are created differently and will cook differently, so check your chicken often and adjust cooking times accordingly.
- This chicken can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to use it. Microwave for approximately 1-2 minutes to get it ready for your sandwich or simply serve cold.
Recipe for Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
Printable recipe below.
Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Chicken Breasts:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- olive oil
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
For the Spicy Mayo:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ Tablespoons hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper add more depending on desired spiciness of chicken
Instructions
- Heat air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Brush each chicken breast with olive oil.
- In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs and seasonings for the chicken breasts.
- Coat each chicken breasts in the breading evenly. Shake any excess off.
- Place chicken in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- Keep them spaced and not touching, which means doing them in batches most of the time.
- Fry them for 3 minutes; flip them checking for any dry spots. Spray extra olive oil if needed. Return to basket for 3 more minutes at 390 degrees F. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL AIR FRYERS ARE DIFFERENT. Use a digital thermometer to check that chicken is cooked to 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayo, hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
- Place a fried chicken breast on each bun, spread your spicy mayo on your bun and add lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles as desired.
Notes
- We used Italian Bread Crumbs for added flavor but you could also add a pinch of Italian Seasoning to your mixture.
- We used Avocado Mayonnaise because that’s what we love. It gives it extra flavor.
Nutrition
Really great recipe! I added extra cayenne cuz we like it spicy! Husband approved! We served with carrot “fries” and noodles. Will definitely make it again!
My favorite chicken sandwich ever. I usually make it 2-3 times a month.
Yes! This makes us so happy to hear! We are so happy your family is enjoying it. Thank you so much for letting us know! We love that great feedback!