The good news is this delicious chicken burger recipe is nut-free, sugar-free, and egg-free. With some substitutions, it can be gluten-free and dairy-free.
Whether you’re a fan of classic flavors or looking to add your own twist with extra toppings and sauces, this burger promises a delightful crunch and mouth-watering taste that’s hard to beat. Perfectly balanced with freshness and flavor, our burger is a must-try for any chicken lover.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, enjoying a weekend treat, or looking for a quick weeknight dinner, crispy chicken burgers fit the bill perfectly. Enjoy it with a side of French Fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
There’s no escaping the delightful taste of this double-dredged, seasoned-coated chicken. It creates an exceptionally crispy and golden crust, which provides a satisfying crunch with every bite. We prefer it over any similar takeaway, predominately because you know what’s in it; homemade is always the best!
Making crispy chicken burgers at home allows you to control the ingredients and seasoning to your liking. Homemade also ensures a healthier and more flavorful meal compared to many fast-food options.
What’s To Love?
💕 It’s very easy to make, and there are no limits to the filling’s creativity.
💕 Crispy chicken burgers are a hit with both kids and adults, making them a great choice for family dinners, parties, or casual get-togethers.
💕 The combination of juicy chicken, fresh toppings, and a hearty bun makes for a well-rounded and satisfying meal that can stand on its own or be paired with sides like fries or salad.
💕 Is a hearty and filling dish that satisfies even the heartiest appetites.
💕 You can easily customize the burger with your favorite toppings and condiments, from classic lettuce and tomato to unique additions like avocado, coleslaw, or spicy sauces.
💕 Guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends alike.
Have you already tried Chicken Burger? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!
Let’s Talk Ingredients
We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.
- Chicken — we suggest using chicken breasts.
- Oil — use rice bran oil because it can withstand high temperatures without turning rancid.
- Spices — use smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Buttermilk — used for marinating the chicken.
- Sauce — add your favorite hot sauce to the marinating buttermilk.
- Buns — use traditional burger buns or brioche are excellent.
- Flour — use all-purpose flour for best results.
- Cheese — use Parmesan for the crispy coating; and your favorite slices to top the chicken, such as Swiss, Cheddar, or Provolone, are excellent.
- Salad — use your favorite lettuce leaves, coleslaw, sliced tomatoes, and pickles.
For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.
Customizations
Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:
- Chicken — you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as an alternative. They are generally more flavorful and juicy but may require slightly longer cooking time.
- Buttermilk — use soy milk with ½ tbsp of fresh lemon juice.
- Buns — gluten-free is a great alternative.
- Cheese — use dairy-free as a dietary alternative.
Remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ when substituting ingredients, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.
If you have made the Chicken Burger with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.
Instructions – Overview
Chicken Burger is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):
▶︎ Our crispy Chicken Burger starts with succulent pounded chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful buttermilk mixture. This helps to keep the chicken tender and juicy.
▶︎ The chicken is then double-dredged in a seasoned flour mixture, which includes smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, parmesan, and flour.
▶︎ The oil is heated in a frying pan, and the chicken is then cooked at an even temperature of 350°F or 175°C for 4-5 minutes per side.
▶︎ The chicken is served on a toasted burger bun, layered with crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, tangy pickles, sliced cheese, and other favorites such as creamy mayonnaise and/or a splash of ketchup.
For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.
Tools You’ll Need
Want to make the best Cheese Burger? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:
- Frying Pan – to cook the chicken burgers.
- Mixing Bowl – to bind the meat ingredients.
- Thermapen – is a great little tool to test meat temperature.
- Meat Mallet or a rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts.
- Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly, and used for turning the chicken when frying.
- Parchment Paper – used for pounding the chicken.
- Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.
If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this Kitchenaid frying pan (skillet). It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.
Hard-wearing KitchenAid Frying Pan with heavy-gauge forged aluminum, fast heating, extreme durability, scratch resistance, 3-layer German-engineered non-stick coating, matte stainless steel handles for a cool and secure grip, induction-ready, oven safe up to 220°C, dishwasher safe and stackable for easy storage.
Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.
Storing
See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.
Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.
Pairing
Crispy Chicken Burgers are frequently eaten as a standalone but can easily be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with them:
▶︎ Crispy Garlic Parmesan Fries pair wonderfully with the juicy, crispy chicken. Alternatively, sweet potato fries have a touch of sweetness and a different texture than regular fries. Voila, perfection at its best!
▶︎ A fresh salad can balance out the heaviness of the burger. Go for a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or a more robust option like a Caesar salad.
▶︎ A creamy potato salad complements the crispy texture of the chicken. Try adding bacon bits, green onions, and a dash of paprika for extra flavor.
▶︎ For afters, a light dessert such as this Creamy Biscoff Mousse or a light cheesecake style cake such as this Souffle Yogurt Cake will provide a sweet finish to this hearty meal.
More Recipes
Here are some other delicious recipes that we think you might also like:
Thank you for checking out Chicken Burger!
We hope you enjoy making and eating it! Let us know how you get along, and please rate using the ⭐️ by the comments. HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for all of our latest updates. Happy Baking!
⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. V
Equipment
- Meat Mallet - or rolling pin
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 Chicken Breasts - about 600g total, skinless and boneless
- 240 grams Buttermilk
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce - use your favorite, optional
- 125 grams All-Purpose Flour
- 60 grams Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Himalayan Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper - optional
- 100 grams Rice Bran Oil - average quantity for frying, or use your favorite
For Assembly:
- 4 Burger Buns
- 4 slices Cheese
- 4 Lettuce Leaves
- 4 Tomato Slices
- Pickles
- 4 tbsp Coleslaw
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch.
- In a bowl, mix the buttermilk and hot sauce.
- Add the chicken breasts to the mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours for best results.
Batter:
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing down to ensure an even coating. For extra crispiness, dip the coated chicken back into the buttermilk and then again into the flour mixture.
Frying:
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), carefully add the coated chicken breasts. Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
Note: Let the fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy and keeps the chicken crispy.
Assembling:
- Toast the burger buns lightly.
- Place a slice of cheese on the bottom of each bun.
- Place a crispy chicken breast on each bun.
- Top with lettuce, tomato slices, coleslaw, and pickles.
- Cover with the top half of the bun.
Serving:
- Serve the crispy chicken burgers immediately, with your choice of sides such as fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Marinating: Let the chicken marinate in buttermilk for at least an hour. Overnight marination will make the chicken more tender and flavorful.
- Double Dredging: For an extra crispy coating, double dredge the chicken. Dip the chicken back into the buttermilk after the first coating of flour, then coat it in the flour mixture again.
- Seasoning: Taste the dry mix before using it to adjust the seasoning if necessary. The flour should be flavorful to ensure the chicken has a tasty crust.
- Oil Temperature: For frying, maintain the oil temperature at around 350°F (175°C). Use a Thermapen to monitor the temperature. If the oil is too hot, the coating will burn before the chicken is cooked through. If it’s too cool, the chicken will absorb more oil and become greasy.
- Meat Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
- Even Thickness: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures even cooking and prevents the outside from burning before the inside is cooked through.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Fry the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan lowers the oil temperature, resulting in less crispy chicken.
- Toasting Buns: Lightly toast the burger buns. This adds a nice crunch and prevents them from getting soggy from the chicken’s condiments and juices.
- Vegetarian: Substitute the chicken patty with a plant-based burger patty or a portobello mushroom for a vegetarian version.
- Dairy-Free: For the buttermilk, use soy milk with ½ tbsp of fresh lemon juice. Let it sit for a minute or two or until it thickens and curdles. Use dairy-free parmesan and dairy-free sliced cheese.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free buns.
Feel free to swap any ingredient listed with whatever you have lying around. It will probably taste just as amazing! Please let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!
See our FAQs below for detailed instructions on storing, refrigerating, freezing, defrosting, and answering readers’ questions.
⭐️ Please note that some of our posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, and any sales made through such links will reward us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. [Read More]
FAQ’s & Troubleshooting
By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Cheese Burger every time.
Your Questions Matter
Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.
For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.
have you already tried this Crispy Chicken Burger? if so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it! For more yum recipes subscribe to our newsletter!
Sharon – Foodie Blogger
I’m a full-time food blogger, mother of 3 grown adults and 3 huskies. Most days you can find me in the kitchen creating new recipes, I love cooking indulgent bakes and love sharing them. I am lucky to connect with and inspire people from all around the world and help you on your cooking journey so you can eat in style!
This chicken burger was impresseive, everything tuurned out well and worked exactly as suggested, thanks! 😀