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Crispy Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe Easy and Spicy

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A quick and easy recipe for a crispy, spicy Nashville hot chicken sandwich made in the air fryer, delivering bold flavor and a crunchy texture without deep-frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), butterflied or pounded thin
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml), room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil spray or light oil for coating
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (55 g), melted
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 brioche buns, lightly toasted
  • Pickle slices
  • Mayonnaise or ranch dressing (optional)
  • Shredded iceberg lettuce or slaw

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken breasts, cover, and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes or up to 4 hours.
  2. Prepare the dredging mix: Combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in another bowl.
  3. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off, dredge in flour mixture pressing lightly, and shake off excess.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Cook the chicken: Spray air fryer basket with oil. Place chicken in a single layer, spray tops with oil. Cook 6-7 minutes, flip, spray other side, cook another 6-8 minutes until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Make the Nashville hot sauce glaze: Melt butter, whisk in cayenne pepper, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt until smooth.
  7. Glaze the chicken: Brush the spicy butter glaze generously on both sides of the cooked chicken.
  8. Assemble the sandwich: Toast brioche buns, spread mayonnaise or ranch on bottom bun if desired, add shredded lettuce or slaw, place hot chicken, top with pickle slices, and finish with top bun.
  9. Serve immediately for best crunch and flavor. Optionally keep chicken warm in a low oven (200°F / 93°C) if needed.

Notes

Press the flour firmly onto the chicken for a thick, crispy coating. Preheat the air fryer for best results. Spray oil lightly to promote browning without deep-frying. Flip chicken halfway through cooking. Brush glaze immediately after cooking to lock in flavor. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or chickpea flour. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk with vinegar and vegan butter. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken, air fryer chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, crispy chicken, easy dinner, quick recipe

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/crispy-air-fryer-nashville-hot-chicken-sandwich-recipe-easy-and-spicy/