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
Love at First Bite: Reasons to Crave Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Sandwiches:
- Flavorful fusion: Savor the perfect balance of juicy, tender chicken and a delicious kick of spice, creating an exciting flavor explosion in every bite.
- Healthier indulgence: Air frying offers a guilt-free alternative to traditional frying, allowing you to enjoy the crispy texture you love without the added fat.
- Quick and convenient: These sandwiches come together in a flash, making them ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time. No need for lengthy preheating or messy frying procedures.
- Endless customization: Adjust the level of spice to suit your preference and explore different toppings and sauces to personalize your sandwich experience.
- Clean and easy cleanup: Air frying minimizes oil splatter and mess, making cleanup a breeze compared to traditional frying methods.
- Satisfying comfort food: Enjoy the classic taste of a juicy chicken sandwich with a modern twist, offering a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s sure to please.
The night we made these Chicken Sandwiches, I wasn’t completely sure if they would be too spicy for him.
I love spicy food so I usually make it very spicy.
But with these I knew if I left out the mayo on his, he’d be fine.
He did decide to eat his with only plain mayo.
The spice in the chicken is mild, but can be modified to either be left out if you don’t want any spice in the chicken.
Or simply by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper you put in the outside seasoning.
These make a great fast and easy lunch or the perfect weeknight dinner on those nights you need to whip up something fast.
And they are so good.
They are so good that we made them like 5 times in two weeks.
Yeah. That good.
You can pile on the veggies which does help cut down on the spice or simply leave them off.
You can add cheese… or not.
For more spice, these are amazing with Pepper Jack Cheese.
But any cheese is perfectly fine except your milder cheeses because you probably won’t taste them. ha!
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!