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Copycat Buc-ee's chicken sandwich with crispy fried chicken, pickles and sauce on a soft bun

Copycat Buc-ee's Chicken Sandwich (Air Fryer)

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Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinate time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

A crispy, buttermilk-marinated air fryer chicken breast on a soft bun with a creamy, tangy sauce, just like the Buc-ee's hot case.

Ingredients 

Chicken

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts , (about 1 1/4 pounds)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Cooking spray

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Serving

  • 4 soft hamburger buns
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • Dill pickle chips

Instructions

  • Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to make 4 cutlets. Pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Whisk the buttermilk, hot sauce and salt. Add the chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
  • Whisk all the sauce ingredients together and refrigerate.
  • Whisk the flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and cayenne in a shallow bowl.
  • Dredge each cutlet in the flour, dip back in the buttermilk, then dredge in the flour again. Rest 5 minutes.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Spray the basket, add the chicken in a single layer, and spray the tops well. Air fry 12 to 15 minutes, flipping and spraying halfway, until 165°F inside.
  • Butter the buns and toast at 350°F for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Spread sauce on the bottom buns, add the chicken, more sauce and pickles, and top with the buns.
  • Optional: Wrap in foil for 2 to 3 minutes for a soft, hot-case-style bun.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Meat mallet
  • 2 shallow bowls
  • Tongs
  • Instant-read thermometer

Notes

  • Air fryer sizes vary: Cook in batches and check the temperature at 12 minutes.
  • Oven: Bake on a rack at 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Thighs: Swap in boneless thighs and cook to 175°F.
  • Leftovers: Store the chicken and sauce separately. Reheat the chicken at 360°F for 5 to 7 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 598kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 22gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 2496mgPotassium: 459mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 391IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 4mg