This crispy copycat Chick Fil A Chicken sandwich is juicy on the inside and golden brown on the outside. This sandwich tastes just like you went through the drive-thru in your own kitchen!
Chicken breast fillets are marinated in the secret pickle marinade, then breaded and pan-fried until juicy and tender on the inside.
Layer the chicken on a buttery bun topped with pickle slices for the ultimate family favorite sandwich and it tastes just like the real thing! The whole family will love this chicken.
✨ Why We Love Copycat Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwiches
- Juicy and delicious- This recipe makes juicy and delicious chicken sandwiches every time that is packed with tons of flavor. Uses the secret pickle marinade and peanut oil in this recipe so when you take a bite it tastes just like a Chick-Fil A chicken sandwich!
- Save money- Making your own chicken sandwiches can be way less expensive, especially when you have multiple people ordering in your family.
- Serve for parties- Not only is this recipe great for dinner, it's a favorite for parties, potlucks and other gatherings.
You can even make a copycat frosted lemonade with your sandwich, or serve it with copycat Chick Fil A sauce.
This sandwich goes great with traditional waffle fries, it also is amazing with potato wedges, potato salad, green beans, coleslaw, skillet potatoes or a fresh green salad.
🥫 Ingredients needed:
For the chicken
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- Peanut oil for frying
For the sandwich
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- Pickles if desired
📝 Ingredient notes:
The pickle juice is the secret ingredient of a Chick Fil A sandwich, so don't skip it or you'll miss the flavor! Even people who dislike pickles love this chicken.
INSTRUCTIONS
🔄 Substitutions
- Pickle Juice- If you don't have pickle juice, you could use the pickling juice without the cucumbers from this homemade dill pickle recipe.
- Oil- Peanut oil is one of the ingredients that really changes the flavor of a Chick FIl A sandwich and makes it set apart flavor wise. If you don't have peanut oil or have allergies, you can use a different oil but the sandwich will taste slightly different. Use an oil that has a high smoke point like canola oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil or sunflower oil.
- Chicken Breast- You can substitute chicken tenders, use chicken cutlets or use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe.
- Chicken Nuggets - You can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to make chicken nuggets. They will cook faster than an entire chicken breast will, but you can use the same marinade and breading. You can also make a crispy chicken sandwich for the adults while making chicken nuggets with one or two of the chicken breasts for the kids.
🔪 How to make Copycat Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwiches, basic instructions
- Marinade the chicken for at least an hour in the pickle marinade.
- Dredge and bread the chicken in the milk and seasoned flour mixtures.
- Fry the chicken breasts in the hot oil in the pan, air fryer or deep fryer.
- Layer the chicken on a toasted bun with pickles.
📷 Making Copycat Chick Fil A Sandwiches, photo instructions
- Trim the chicken breasts if necessary. Place the chicken in plastic wrap, then use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts so the chicken is even in thickness and cooks evenly. Pound the chicken with the mallet until it is about ¾ inch thick.
- Soak chicken filets in dill pickle juice for at least one hour, but you can also marinade overnight.
- Drain the pickle juice from chicken pieces, then pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl mix together flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika then set aside.
- In a small bowl crack the eggs and mix with a fork until the yolks break. Add the milk to the eggs and blend with a fork until well mixed.
- Dip each chicken piece into the milk mixture.
- Toss the chicken gently in the flour mixture.
- Shake off extra flour and gently place the chicken into hot peanut oil. Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken filet for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until the chicken is 165 degrees inside when checked with a meat thermometer. Place the chicken on paper towels to drain.
For the sandwich
- Place a large pan or a griddle over medium-high heat. Melt butter in the pan. You may need to work in batches.
- Place the hamburger buns with the inside of the bun face down onto the griddle. Grill for about 2 minutes or until the buns are lightly toasted.
- Layer the chicken on the buns, then top with pickles. Serve and enjoy!
♨️ Reheating Instructions
For best results reheat this sandwich in a pan or in the air fryer until warm all the way through. Leftover chicken can also be served cold over salads or in wraps and sandwiches.
Chicken can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered airtight container for up to three days.
📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
Yes you can absolutely make this recipe in the air fryer!
Marinade and bread the chicken just like you would for pan frying. Then use a spray cooking oil and spray the breaded chicken generously.
Warm up the air fryer to 370 degrees and cook the chicken for 12-14 minutes or until 165 degrees inside.
**NOTE: Air fryers can vary in temperature a little from machine to machine, so check the chicken a little early if this is the first time you are making this recipe.
Yes you can totally deep fry this chicken. Marinade and bread the chicken just like you would for pan frying.
Warm up the deep fryer full of oil to 375 degrees. Cook the chicken for 10-12 minutes or until it is 165 degrees inside.
To make your chicken sandwich "deluxe, add a piece of green leafy lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a slice of cheese to the sandwich. Try colby-jack or pepper jack cheese.
Copycat Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- Peanut oil for frying
For the sandwich
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- Pickles if desired
Instructions
- Trim the chicken breasts if necessary. Place the chicken in plastic wrap, then use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts so the chicken is even in thickness and cooks evenly. Pound the chicken with the mallet until it is about ¾ inch thick.
- Soak chicken filets in dill pickle juice for at least one hour, but you can also marinade overnight.
- Drain the pickle juice from chicken pieces, then pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl mix together flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika then set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl crack the eggs and mix with a fork until the yolks break. Add the milk to the eggs and blend with a fork until well mixed.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the milk & egg mixture and then toss in the flour mixture. Shake off extra flour and gently place the chicken into hot peanut oil.
- Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken filet for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until the chicken is 165 degrees inside when checked with a meat thermometer. Place the chicken on paper towels to drain.
For the sandwich
- Place a large pan or a griddle over medium-high heat. Melt butter in the pan. You may need to work in batches.
- Place the hamburger buns with the inside of the bun face down onto the griddle. Grill for about 2 minutes or until the buns are lightly toasted.
- Layer the chicken on the buns, then top with pickles. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Make The Chicken Sandwich "Deluxe"
To make your chicken sandwich "deluxe, add a piece of green leafy lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a slice of cheese to the sandwich. Try colby-jack or pepper jack cheese.Make This Chicken Sandwich In The Air Fryer
To make the chicken in the air fryer, follow the marinating and seasoning instructions as directed. After breading, spray the chicken filets heavily with olive oil spray. Place the chicken onto the air fryer basket, which has been prepared with nonstick cooking spray. Put the basket in an air fryer preheated to 370 degrees and cook the chicken for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the filets and spraying with olive oil spray halfway through the cooking time.Nutrition
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