Crispy, saucy, and absolutely addictive! Meet your new favourite: the Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich. Golden air-fried chicken sandwiched in between sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, crunchy slaw, tangy daikon pickles is such a tasty combo.
Ready to take your sandwich game to the next level? Let me show you how to make a crispy, bold, and utterly delicious Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich. Try this recipe and see how easy and satisfying it is to recreate restaurant-quality flavours at home. It’s perfect for a weeknight treat or an impressive meal for guests!
Looking for More Lunch Recipes? Check These Out!
Table of Contents
- What is Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich?
- Here’s Why You Will Love Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Equipment and Tools to Make Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Ingredients
- How to Make Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich Options and Substitutions
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Make Ahead Options
- Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hungry for More Recipes with Gochujang?
What is Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich?
The Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich is a flavourful fusion dish combining the irresistible crunch and bold flavours of Korean fried chicken with a healthier twist using an air fryer. Layered with tangy daikon pickles, fresh slaw, and two delicious spreads, all nestled between hearty slices of bread, this sandwich has crunch and flavour!
Here’s Why You Will Love Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Healthier Alternative: With the magic of an air fryer, you get the crispy, golden exterior without deep frying, making this a guilt-free indulgence.
- Bold Korean Flavours: From gochujang mayo to sweet & tangy spread, every bite is packed with the signature spicy, sweet, and savory flavours of Korean cuisine.
- Easy to Make: No complicated techniques here—just simple ingredients and easy steps that deliver gourmet-level results at home.
Equipment and Tools to Make Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
Air fryer: For perfectly crispy chicken and nice toasted bread.
Mixing bowls: To marinate the chicken, toss the slaw, and prepare spreads.
Tongs or a fork: Handy for flipping chicken in the air fryer. Personally, I use chopsticks!
Sharp knife: For cutting vegetables, spreads, and slicing the final sandwich.
Ingredients
Alright, let’s make our shopping list! To make this recipe, you will need…
Chicken breasts: Butterflied for faster cooking.
Bread: Choose your favourite sliced bread.
Marinade: Buttermilk, gochujang, soy sauce, garlic powder and black pepper.
Breading: Panko breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic powder and salt.
Spreads: Gochujang mayo and sweet & tangy sauce.
Toppings: Shredded cabbage slaw and pickled daikon slices.
How to Make Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
Let’s make this dish!
Marinate the Chicken: Mix ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder and ¼ tsp pepper. Add butterflied chicken breasts and let marinate for 1 hour. Meanwhile, pickle daikon slices and make your sauces.
Prepare the Daikon: Mix 2 tbsp of sugar with 2 tbsp of hot water. Stir to dissolve. Stir in 2 tbsp of white vinegar. Peel and slice some daikon. I use 6 slices per sandwich. Add to vinegar solution. Set aside.
Prepare Spreads: Whisk together 2 tbsp kewpie mayo and 1 tsp gochujang for one spread. Mix 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp white vinegar for the other.
Make Slaw: Toss shredded cabbage in a light dressing made with 2 tsp white vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp sesame oil and a pinch of salt.
Bread the Chicken: Coat marinated chicken in a mix of 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp salt.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes, spray the chicken lightly with oil, and air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden. Be sure to place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook in batches if necessary.
Assemble: Toast the bread, spread sauces on each slice, layer pickle daikon, crispy chicken, and slaw. Close the sandwich. Serve and enjoy!
Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich Options and Substitutions
Want to mix things up with this recipe? Feel free to…
- Use sourdough or brioche or whole wheat bread.
- Substitute with chicken thighs.
- Replace chicken with tofu, tempeh, or portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
- Tone down the heat by using a mild chili paste or adding more honey to the sauces.
- Add some kimchi to brighten the dish.
- Top with sesame seeds.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Store leftovers in separate containers (chicken, spreads, and toppings) to prevent sogginess. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to restore crispiness. Toast the bread fresh for assembly.
Make Ahead Options
Chicken: Marinate the chicken in advance; refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bread the chicken just before air frying.
Spreads: Make the sauces up to 3 days in advance and store in airtight containers.
Daikon: Pickle the daikon up to 1 week in advance.
Recipe Tips
Don’t Skip the Spray: Lightly spraying the chicken with oil ensures an even golden crust in the air fryer.
Toast the Bread: This prevents sogginess and adds an extra layer of crunch.
Layer Strategically: Keep wetter ingredients, like pickle daikon, away from the bread to maintain its texture.
Cook in batches if necessary: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake the chicken instead of air frying? Yes! Bake the chicken at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)..
Is there a gluten-free option? Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free bread to make this dish fully gluten-free.
What can I use instead of pickled daikons? Substitute with kimchi for a similar tangy flavor.
Can I freeze the air fried chicken? Yes, freeze the air-fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Reheat in the air fryer before use.
Hungry for More Recipes with Gochujang?
Lastly, if you make my Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.
Korean Air Fried Chicken Sandwich
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Medium bowl
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 2 chicken breasts butterflied into 4 portions
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
Daikon Pickles
- 24 slices daikon
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp hot water
- 2 tbsp vinegar
Gochujang Mayo
- 2 tbsp Kewpie mayo
- 1 tsp gochujang
Sweet and Tangy Spread
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp vinegar
Slaw
- 4 cups slaw shredded cabbage
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- salt pinch
Chicken Breading
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Mix ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder and ¼ tsp pepper. Add butterflied chicken breasts and let marinate for 1 hour. Meanwhile, pickle daikon slices and make your sauces.
- Prepare the Daikon: Mix 2 tbsp of sugar with 2 tbsp of hot water. Stir to dissolve. Stir in 2 tbsp of white vinegar. Peel and slice some daikon. I use 6 slices per sandwich. Add to vinegar solution. Set aside.
- Prepare Spreads: Whisk together 2 tbsp kewpie mayo and 1 tsp gochujang for one spread. Mix 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp white vinegar for the other.
- Make Slaw: Toss shredded cabbage in a light dressing made with 1 tbsp white vinegar, 2 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp sesame oil and a pinch of salt.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat marinated chicken in a mix of 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes, spray the chicken lightly with oil, and air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden. Be sure to place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook in batches if necessary.
- Assemble: Toast the bread, spread sauces on each slice, layer pickle daikon, crispy chicken, and slaw. Close the sandwich. Serve and enjoy!
