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Air Fryer Popeyes Chicken Sandwich (Copycat)

Air Fryer Popeyes Chicken Sandwich (Copycat)

5 from 4 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinate Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings

Description

This Air Fryer Popeyes Chicken Sandwich is a crispy copycat made with buttermilk-marinated chicken, a seasoned flour crust, thick pickles, and classic or spicy mayo on a toasted brioche bun. It’s golden, juicy, and air fried at 390°F, so no deep fryer is needed.

Ingredients 

Buttermilk Marinade

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts , (about 8 oz each), pounded to ½ inch
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce

Seasoned Breading

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray

Spicy Mayo (optional, for the Spicy version)

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

To Serve

  • 2 brioche buns
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise, or the spicy mayo above
  • 6 dill pickle chips

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  • Pound the chicken. Place the chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound them to an even ½-inch thickness so they cook evenly.
  • Make the marinade. Whisk the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce in a bowl. Add the chicken, turn to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

Bread the Chicken

  • Mix the breading. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in 1–2 tablespoons of the marinade and toss with your fingertips to form small clumps.
  • Dredge. Lift each breast from the marinade and let the excess drip off. Press it firmly into the breading on both sides. Let it rest for 5 minutes so the coating sets.

Air Fry

  • Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  • Spray and cook. Spray the basket and add the chicken in a single layer. Spray the tops until no dry flour shows. Air fry for 6–8 minutes.
  • Flip and finish. Flip the chicken, spray any dry spots, and air fry 6–8 minutes more, until golden and 165°F (74°C) inside. Rest on a wire rack for 2–3 minutes.

Assemble

  • Make the spicy mayo (optional). Stir together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder.
  • Build the sandwiches. Toast the brioche buns. Spread 1 tablespoon of mayo or spicy mayo on each cut side. Add the crispy chicken, top with pickles, and serve right away.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Instant-read meat thermometer
  • Shallow dishes (2)
  • Wire Rack
  • Cooking Spray

Notes

  • No dry flour: Unsprayed flour stays pale and chalky. Spray until every spot looks damp, and spray again after flipping.
  • Extra-thick crust: Dip the breaded chicken back into the marinade, then into the breading again, before air frying.
  • Short on time: Marinating for 30 minutes works, but 2 hours or more gives juicier chicken.
  • Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs work well. Cook them to 175°F.
  • Air fryer sizes vary: Start checking at 12 minutes total. Smaller baskets may need batches.
  • Storage: Refrigerate the chicken separately for up to 3 days. Reheat at 375°F for 4–6 minutes.
  • Make it a Popeyes meal: Serve with Copycat Popeyes Cajun Fries and Popeyes Mac and Cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 1070kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 43gFat: 69gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 26gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 339mgSodium: 1987mgPotassium: 659mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1605IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 223mgIron: 4mg