Copycat Crispy Chicken Burger

In the last few years, we have seen the battle of the chicken sandwich. First it was Popeye's Chicken, then KFC, then all of the other chain stores followed suit with Burger King, McDonald's, and of course, the classic Chick Fil A sandwich. No matter which of these is your favorite to grab as takeout, you can now skip the drive-thru and make it at home!

If you love the classic breaded and fried chicken sandwich, then you'll go crazy for this recipe. This crispy chicken burger is made with a juicy, tender chicken breast that's been dredged in a seasoning blend and then fried to perfection. The result is a chicken burger that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside - perfect for any burger lover!

What Goes With a Chicken Sandwich?

This copycat McDonald's crispy chicken sandwich goes with just about anything. The first thing that comes to mind to serve with a chicken burger is, of course, french fries. I love these homemade accordion waffle fries or these crispy seasoned baked steak fries.

Of course, you can serve this with something a bit different like a serving of mustard potato salad, a bit of Mediterranean pasta salad, or even something like these baked zucchini curly fries.

Of course, for a classic take-out meal, you have to have the yummy copycat shamrock shake or the copycat McDonald's Oreo McFlurry to go on the side!

copycat McDonald's chicken sandwich on white plate

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided (3.15g)
2 teaspoons paprika (4.6g)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (1g)
2 teaspoons salt, divided (12g)
1 ½ cups buttermilk (370ml)
2 egg whites
1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
1 teaspoon baking powder (4g)
1 tablespoon butter (14.2g)
4 hamburger buns
4 slices cheddar cheese

For burger sauce

1 tablespoon mustard (15ml)
1 tablespoon ketchup (15ml)
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (15ml)
1 red chili pepper, minced

burger on plate with tomato and onions in background

Handy Kitchen Tools

white plate of chicken burger with cucumber slices

How to Make a Crispy Chicken Sandwich

In a medium bowl, add the chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, the paprika, and red pepper flakes. Then, add in the buttermilk and egg whites. Stir this all together, and set it aside.

milk being poured into bowl with seasoned chicken

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. This is going to be your chicken coating.

Dip the chicken breasts into the flour mixture, then back into the milk mixture, and again into the flour mixture.

pink tongs holding chicken breasts into bowl of seasoned flour

Heat oil in a deep skillet, and place the breaded chicken into it, being careful not to crowd the pan.

breaded chicken breasts being put into pan of oil

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and has reached 165°F internally at the thickest part.

chicken breasts frying in skillet of hot oil

Remove from the oil and let drain on paper towels. You can sprinkle with additional seasoning if desired.

Now, prepare your sauce by whisking together the mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and diced or minced chili pepper.

Toast the buns and then spread sauce on the top bun.

Add the chicken, a slice of cheese, and then the bun. If desired, you can top it with pickles, lettuce, tomato, or onion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make A Chicken Sandwich with Chicken Thighs Instead?

There's nothing quite like a chicken burger. Juicy, flavorful, and versatile, chicken burgers can be cooked in a variety of ways to suit any taste. And while chicken breasts are the most popular choice for chicken burgers, thighs can make for a juicier, more flavorful burger. So if you're looking to switch things up, don't be afraid to give chicken thighs a try!

When it comes to cooking chicken burgers, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, chicken thighs tend to be a bit tougher than breasts, so they'll need to be cooked a bit longer. Second, because they're darker meat, chicken thighs will also cook up a bit darker than chicken breasts. And finally, because they have more fat, chicken thighs will also produce more grease while cooking.

How Do I Know My Chicken Burger Is Done Cooking?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer. inserted into the thickest part of the burger, it should be 165°F at the thickest part of meat when the burger is fully cooked.

Another way to tell if your chicken burger is done is to cut into it. If the juices are clear and there is no pink remaining, the burger is safe to eat. As with all chicken, it's important not to overcook your burgers but still make sure it is cooked through.

How Do You Dress a Crispy Chicken Burger?

You can dress this crispy chicken burger any way you like. Typically people add sauce and pickles. Then you can build from there.

Add lettuce, tomato, and cheese. If you don't want to make the burger sauce, you can use just ketchup, mustard, or honey mustard sauce. It can even be made with barbecue sauce if you prefer.

Dress it up a bit with hot sauce, or even top it with crispy bacon. And, for an extra rich flavor, add sliced avocado or a fried egg.

fried chicken sandwich with sesame seed bun and cheese on bed of lettuce by onion rings

More Chicken Recipes

I love adding chicken to my menu, whether it is as a sandwich here, or served alongside my favorite sides. If you need more ideas to fill out your meal plan, below are some of our favorite chicken recipes. Make sure that you bookmark these ideas, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make them soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4

Copycat Crispy Chicken Burger

This copycat crispy chicken burger is a great dupe of your favorite McDonald's sandwich complete with homemade sauce!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided (3.15g)
2 teaspoons paprika (4.6g)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (1g)
2 teaspoons salt, divided (12g)
1 ½ cups buttermilk (370ml)
2 egg whites
1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
1 teaspoon baking powder (4g)
1 tablespoon butter (14.2g)
4 hamburger buns
4 slices cheddar cheese

For Burger Sauce

1 tablespoon mustard (15ml)
1 tablespoon ketchup (15ml)
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (15ml)
1 red chili pepper, minced

Instructions

In a medium bowl, add the chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, the paprika, and red pepper flakes. Then, add in the buttermilk and egg whites. Stir this all together, and set it aside.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. This is going to be your chicken coating.
Dip the chicken breasts into the flour mixture, then back into the milk mixture, and again into the flour mixture.
Heat oil in a deep skillet, and place the breaded chicken into it, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and has reached 165°F internally at the thickest part.
Remove from the oil and let drain on paper towels. You can sprinkle with additional seasoning if desired.
Now, prepare your sauce by whisking together the mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and diced or minced chili pepper.
Toast the buns and then spread sauce on the top bun.
Add the chicken, a slice of cheese, and then the bun. If desired, you can top it with pickles, lettuce, tomato, or onion.