Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Mustard Sauce (my Chick-fil-A Copycat)
Skip the food court and meet me in the kitchen for my copycat version of a fast-food favorite: the crispy chicken sandwich!
If you love that iconic hearty chicken sandwich (you know the one!) but want a healthier version you can feel good about making at home, this one’s for you. This crispy (yet lighter) chicken sammie hits all the nostalgic notes—juicy chicken, tender bun, briny pickles, and a creamy mustardy sauce—without the deep fryer or mystery ingredients. It’s my kind of comfort food: easy to make, super delicious and smartly upgraded.
This version is oven-baked, has fewer calories, and is much healthier than the classic fried rendition. I stay true to the signature dish by piling on all the toppings. I typically use yellow mustard (because that’s what they use at Chick-fil-A) but you can swap in spicy brown or Dijon. As for the BBQ sauce? Use your favorite jarred version—sweet, smoky, spicy—because as I like to say, “YOU are the boss of your sauce!”
If crispy chicken is your love language, don’t stop here. My Crispy Chicken Tenders will also hit the spot—golden, crunchy, and endlessly dippable (try dipping’ them with my Creamy Dill Pickle Ranch, Honey Mustard Sauce, Chili Lime Crema, BBQ Mustard, Spicy or Creamy Ketchup).
And these Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders bring a slightly nutty crunch that feels special enough for guests but easy enough for a Tuesday…or Wednesday. Same yummy satisfaction, two very different and equally crave-able vibes!
Try these Oven Baked French Fries or Roasted Carrot Fries!
Chick-fil-A Copycat: Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Mustard Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Sandwich
- 2 skinless chicken breasts, 1 pound total
- 1 cup pickle juice*
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 cup breadcrumbs, preferably whole grain**
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, more for sprinkling on top
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 whole-grain buns
- Lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles
Tangy mustard sauce (makes ½ cup)
- ¼ cup light mayo
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, optional
Instructions
Marinating:
- Place chicken breasts on a cutting board between large sheets of parchment or wax paper. Using a meat tenderizer or soup can, pound each chicken breast until it’s no more than ½-inch thick all around.
- Cut each piece into two, for a total of 4 pieces. Place in a plastic bag or bowl with pickle juice and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to overnight.
- When chicken is done marinating, preheat oven to 450℉ and liberally mist a baking sheet with nonstick oil spray or line with aluminum foil. *If you have a wire baking rack, I recommend using it on top on the sheets for crispier chicken. Set aside.
Set up your dredging station:
- In one shallow wide bowl, add the egg and mayo and mix until well combined.
- In a second shallow wide bowl, add the breadcrumbs and seasonings and mix until well combined. One at a time, lift each piece of chicken out of the pickle juice and shake off excess liquid. Submerge into the egg-mayo.
- Then, place into the breadcrumbs bowl and pat all over to fully coat. Place on the prepared baking sheet (or on wire rack, if using). Mist the breaded chicken tops with oil spray and lightly sprinkle on some additional kosher salt.
- Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 and the tops are crispy brown.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce by mixing all of the ingredients together in a small bowl (mayo, BBQ sauce, mustard, lemon juice and optional honey).
- Remove chicken from oven and build your sandwich: layer your bottom bun with pickles, lettuce, tomato and then your chicken cutlet. Top with tangy mustard sauce and dig in!
What breads do you recommend for burgers or tosst?
Hi Kristi,
Here are a few brands of hamburger buns and breads that Joy recommends:
Hamburger Buns
• Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Burger Buns
• Rudi’s Wheat Hamburger Buns
• Ozery Family Bakery Whole Wheat Sandwich Buns
• 365 Whole Wheat/Whole Grain English Muffins
Bread
• 365 whole wheat bread
• Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread
• Silver Hills Sprouted Power Little Big Bread
• Dave’s Killer Bread 100% whole wheat thin sliced
(*Note: This is thin sliced only; other Dave Killer Bread varieties are too high in added sugar)
• Brownberry small slice 100% whole wheat
• Rudi’s 100% whole wheat bread
Hope this information helps!
—Donna
The chicken and sauce were both delicious! I will make this again!
Hi Wanda, so glad you enjoyed the recipe…and that it will be be making a repeat appearance in your house! That’s the ultimate compliment! Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts—we’re grateful to have you as part of our community!
—Donna
Simple, quick and Delicious! We were in a food rut and this recipe turned thing around.
Thank you!
So happy you enjoyed this one, Tonya!! I had a lot of fun recreating it 😉
Could you use an air fryer for this? If so, what temp and for how long?
Thank you!
Hi Linda! Yes, an air fryer can work beautifully! While the timing may vary slightly depending on the type of air fryer you have and cutlet thickness, here’s the general directions: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray basket with oil. Arrange breaded chicken in a single layer (do not over crowd or layer on top of each other) and mist tops with oil. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip, mist again, and cook another 5–7 minutes, or until golden, crispy, and chicken reaches 165°F.
Hoping you love it!! Report back!! xx
where do you get a cup of pickle juice
Hi Leah! I get it right out of a jar of pickles sitting in my fridge. If you don’t have one… you can either pick up a new jar at the grocery store (you’ll want pickles to enjoy with the sandwich) or you can swap the pickle juice marinade for buttermilk. Hoping you love and devour this sandwich!
Should the pickle juice be from jar of sweet pickles or dill, or does it matter? Can’t wait to try this! Thank you!
Hi Barbara! Any pickle juice works! Joy typically uses dill pickle juice, but that’s because it’s always in her fridge! Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
This was absolutely delicious!! Love the crispy chicken and sauce was perfect! Definitely making again!
Sooo happy you loved it, Carol!! xx
Please advise if the pickle juice is sour or sweet pickle juice?
Hi Minnie! Joy typically uses dill (sour) pickle juice, since that’s what she usually has in her fridge—and it gives that classic tangy, Chick-fil-A-style flavor. That said, sweet pickle juice will still work! It’ll just give the chicken a slightly sweeter vibe. Totally your call depending on what flavor profile you prefer. — Eliza (Team Joy)
If I hadn’t made this myself I’d think it was from Chick-Fil-A! The spices were spot on, breading was perfect (I used panko and regular crumbs), and the chicken was crispy and moist. Thank you for this delicious treat, Joy!
Hi Melisa! WOW, that’s the ultimate compliment. So glad you loved Joy’s recipe. It’s a great, healthier version of the Chick-fil-A fan favorite 🙂 — Eliza (Team Joy)
What is nutritional value with out bun?
Hi Michelle, Without the bun, each serving is 290 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 24g carb, 3g fiber, 1g sugar, 31g protein. Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Fantastic recipe! Easy to make. Family loved them. My youngest is notoriously picky…she ate the whole sandwich; consider that high praise. My husband went back for seconds. I was told that this is a keeper in the dinner rotation. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Mrs K! When the notoriously picky youngest eats the whole sandwich… that’s basically the highest compliment there is!! And your husband going back for seconds? Now I’m blushing, haha.
I’m so glad it was easy to make and a hit with the whole family. That’s always my goal…crave-worthy and doable on a busy night. Thank you for taking the time to share this wonderful review. I truly appreciate it! xx
So delicious and easy to make. It’s going to be on our family favorites list.
Hooray! So happy to hear that, Debbie… that’s the ultimate compliment!
Our family enjoyed them! The kids said, we should make them again.
Hi Lori! So glad this was a winner with the whole family, especially the kids!! We hope this can be a repeat recipe in your kitchen. Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
This was awesome! The sauce was outstanding!
Thank you so much, Jane!! Outstanding is SUCH a compliment. So happy to hear that you loved this recipe. — Eliza (Team Joy)