Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich

Name: Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Cuisine: North America, Southern
Ingredients: 3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each); 3/4 cup buttermilk; 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce; 2 large eggs, beaten; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon each onion powder and paprika; 2 teaspoons pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup canola oil; 6 brioche hamburger buns, split; Optional toppings: Sliced tomatoes, pickle slices, onion slices, copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. + marinating Cook: 20 min./batch YIELD: 6 servings.

After trying all the major fast food chains' chicken sandwiches, I decided to come up with my own version. I know everyone says theirs is better than the original, but mine really is. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California

Ingredients

3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon each onion powder and paprika
2 teaspoons pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup canola oil
6 brioche hamburger buns, split
Optional toppings: Sliced tomatoes, pickle slices, onion slices, copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce

Directions

1. Cut each chicken breast horizontally in half; place in a large bowl. Add buttermilk and hot sauce; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat air fryer to 400°. Stir eggs into chicken mixture. In a shallow dish, whisk flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper and salt. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, firmly patting to help coating adhere. Repeat, dipping chicken again into buttermilk mixture and then dredging in flour mixture.
3. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, lightly dab both sides of chicken with oil until no dry breading remains.
4. In batches, arrange chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until a thermometer reads 165° and coating is golden brown and crispy, 7-8 minutes on each side. Remove chicken; keep warm. Toast buns in air fryer until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Top bun bottoms with chicken. Top as desired; replace bun tops.

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 538 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 136mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein.