Homemade Air Fryer McChicken – Crispy Like McDonald's

Steps

1. 1

   Place each chicken breast between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin to an even thickness of about 1 cm (½ inch).

2. 2

   Marinate the chicken fillets in pickle juice for at least one hour, ideally 5–6 hours for deeper flavor. Drain the juice and pat the meat dry with paper towels.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika. Set aside.

4. 4

   In another bowl, beat the egg with milk until smooth.

5. 5

   Dip each chicken fillet first into the egg-milk mixture, then into the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Shake off excess flour.

6. 6

   Spray the chicken pieces generously with olive oil spray. Preheat the air fryer to 188°C (370°F). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a little oil spray.

7. 7

   Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer without overlapping. Cook for 10–12 minutes, turning the fillets halfway through and spraying again with oil when turning.

8. 8

   Serve on lightly toasted buns with pickles, lettuce, and mayonnaise (or barbecue sauce).

9. 9

   For the deep-fried version: heat peanut oil to 200°C (390–400°F). Shake off excess flour and fry for 4–6 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).

Shopping list

4 chicken breasts, 1 cup pickle juice, 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 3 tbsp powdered sugar, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 0.5 tsp paprika, 1 egg, 1 tbsp milk, olive oil spray

Recipe story

The McChicken sandwich was introduced by McDonald's in the 1980s, inspired by the Southern American tradition of breaded chicken. Marinating in buttermilk or pickle juice is an old technique in American cuisine to tenderize the meat. The recipe quickly became a symbol of modern fast food, reinterpreted in countless homemade versions.