Crispy Pickle-Brined Chicken (Printer-Friendly)

Crispy pickle-brined chicken cooked in air fryer or oven, paired with fresh lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a soft roll.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pickle Brine

01 - 1 1/4 cups Claussen kosher dill pickle juice, strained

→ Chicken

02 - 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast cutlets, approximately 4 to 6 ounces each

→ Breading

03 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1/3 cup buttermilk
10 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - Cooking spray or oil for air fryer or oven

→ Assembly

12 - Soft sandwich rolls (e.g., Martin’s Potato Sandwich Rolls), 4 pieces
13 - Lettuce leaves, washed and dried
14 - Sliced tomato
15 - Additional dill pickle slices
16 - Light mayonnaise, as desired

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Place chicken cutlets in a shallow dish and cover with strained pickle juice. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours to infuse flavor and tenderness.
02 - In three separate shallow bowls, place flour seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; beat the egg with buttermilk; and place panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
03 - Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Dredge each cutlet first in seasoned flour, then dip into egg mixture, and finish by coating evenly with panko breadcrumbs.
04 - For air fryer: Preheat if recommended by your model. Lightly spray cutlets with cooking spray and air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). For oven: Preheat to 400°F, place cutlets on a baking sheet lined with parchment, lightly spray, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp and cooked through.
05 - Lightly toast sandwich rolls if desired. Spread light mayonnaise on the buns, layer with lettuce, tomato slices, cooked chicken cutlet, and additional pickle slices. Serve immediately.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Use kitchen shears to cut chicken breasts into cutlets quickly and uniformly for even cooking.
02 - Reheat leftover cutlets in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes to restore crispiness.
03 - Claussen kosher dill pickles recommended for authentic flavor but any dill pickles can be used.

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