Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich

This Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a perfect copycat made healthier with the Air Fryer – you can make it in the oven or skillet, too!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect copycat: This chicken burger tastes just like the popular Wendy's menu item, without a trip to the drive thru.
• Healthier option: You can enjoy one of you fast food cravings without all the extra calories, since you're making it in the air fryer.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Chicken cutlets – slice chicken breasts in half or use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
• Buttermilk – if you don’t have any buttermilk, mix together 1 cup of milk or 1 tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar.
• Tabasco or hot pepper sauce – use your favourite hot sauce or leave this out altogether.
• Breadcrumbs – cornmeal would be a good substitute here.
• Crushed cornflakes – use panko breadcrumbs or another kind of crunchy cereal like rice cereal instead.
• Paprika – if you don’t have any paprika, double up on the cayenne.
• Cayenne – paprika or chili powder would be the best substitutes here.
• Salt & pepper – to taste.
• Cooking spray – use any cooking spray of your choice.

To serve

• Hamburger buns – you can also make this sandwich low-carb by using lettuce wraps instead of buns.
• Leaf lettuce – use any leafy green of your choice like iceberg or romaine.
• Tomatoes – swap out for another topping of your choice or leave this out altogether.
• Light mayo – feel free to swap out the mayonnaise for your favourite condiment like BBQ sauce or ranch.

How to make Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich

Step 1: Soak the chicken.

Soak the chicken in the buttermilk and tabasco.

Step 2: Make the breadcrumb mixture.

Mix breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper together in a separate bowl or Ziploc bag.

Step 3: Dredge the chicken in the breadcrumbs.

Drain the chicken pieces, then add to the breadcrumb mixture and toss well to coat.

Step 4: Place in the air fryer basket.

Add to the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with cooking spray.

Step 5: Cook the chicken.

Cook in the air fryer until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown.

Step 6: Assemble your sandwiches and serve!

Serve on a toasted bun with the toppings of your choice and dig in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich?

According to the restaurant's website, there are 500 calories in the Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich. When you make the sandwiches yourself, you'll be using whole ingredients instead of the complex ingredients listed on Wendy's website like wheat dextrose and sodium phosphates. You'll be enjoying a healthier sandwich with whole ingredients, with just 405 calories per serving.

Is it really spicy?

This Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich recipe is definitely spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. If you want the sandwich to be less spicy, cut down on the amount of tabasco sauce you soak the chicken in.

Can you make it in the oven or on the stovetop instead?

Yes! To cook the chicken in the oven, place it onto a greased baking sheet or a wire rack on top of a sheet pan, then bake for 10-12 mins at 450°F (flip halfway through if desired). If you're making it in a skillet, heat up 2 tablespoons of cooking oil like vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then fry the chicken for 5 mins per side.

Storing and reheating

These sandwiches are outrageously good, so unless you intentionally make a large batch, I doubt you’ll have any leftovers. If you do, transfer the chicken patties to an airtight container or a Ziploc bag and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The best way to reheat breaded chicken patties is on a baking sheet in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the Air Fryer, but the chicken may lose some of its juiciness. The microwave can be used in a pinch, but it makes the chicken rubbery.

Once you’ve reheated the chicken, assemble your Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich with all your favourite toppings and dig in!

Freezing the chicken

The cooked chicken patties freeze beautifully, so feel free to make a double batch for some easy meal prep! Once frozen, they’ll last in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Make sure the patties have cooled before you transfer them to freezer-safe Ziploc bags. To make sure the patties don’t stick together, place a layer of wax paper or parchment between each patty.

Let them defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat as normal! You can also try reheating them directly from frozen in the oven or the Air Fryer.

Meal prep tools

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on storing the leftover chicken.
• I own and love the Philips Digital Airfryer XXL.
• I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
• Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.