Making a crispy chicken burger at home is all about creating the right balance between flavor, texture, and crunch.
Here’s a recipe to help you make the best crispy chicken burger from scratch:
Ingredients:
For the crispy chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, if you prefer dark meat)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk and a splash of lemon juice or vinegar)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional for a smoky flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)
- Vegetable oil for frying (such as canola or sunflower oil)
For the burger:
- 2 soft burger buns
- Lettuce (shredded)
- Tomato slices
- Pickles (optional)
- Mayonnaise or a sauce of your choice (such as sriracha mayo or garlic aioli)
- Cheese (optional, cheddar works well)
Instructions:
1. Prep the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin (this helps it cook evenly).
- Place the chicken breasts in a bowl and pour over the buttermilk. Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for more flavor).
2. Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, cayenne, and a pinch of salt.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge it in the flour mixture, pressing down gently to ensure it is fully coated. Shake off any excess coating.
3. Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping in a small amount of flour; it should sizzle immediately.
- Fry the chicken breasts for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure crispy results.
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
4. Assemble the Burger:
- Lightly toast the burger buns in the pan or oven for added texture.
- Spread mayonnaise or your preferred sauce on the bottom bun.
- Layer with shredded lettuce, a slice of tomato, and pickles if desired.
- Add the crispy chicken, and top with cheese (if using).
- Place the top bun on and gently press down.
5. Serve:
- Serve your crispy chicken burger with fries, coleslaw, or a simple side salad for a complete meal!
Tips for extra crispy chicken:
- Double Coating: For an extra crispy crust, you can dip the chicken back into the buttermilk and then coat it again in the flour mixture.
- Resting Time: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to ensure the juices stay locked in.
- Frying Temperature: Make sure the oil stays at the right temperature, around 350°F (175°C), to prevent sogginess.
Enjoy your crispy chicken burger! Let me know if you need more tips or variations!
