Description
This Spicy Crispy Chicken Burger features juicy fried chicken thighs marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, coated with a flavorful, crispy seasoned crust, and topped with a zesty homemade spicy mayo. Served in toasted buns with fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, and optional cheese, it’s an irresistible American-style main course perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the spicy mayo:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
To assemble:
- 2 burger buns
- Butter or mayo (for toasting buns)
- Lettuce
- Sliced tomato
- Pickles (optional)
- Cheese slices (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken thighs or breasts and ensure they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible, for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Prepare the coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined. This mixture will give the chicken a crispy and flavorful crust once fried.
- Dredge the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure an even and thick crust forms.
- Heat the oil: Pour about 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pan. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), monitoring with a thermometer to maintain consistent temperature for perfect frying.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil. Fry for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and drain the chicken on a wire rack or paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
- Make the spicy mayo: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, hot sauce, lemon juice, and smoked paprika. Adjust the hot sauce quantity to your taste preference to create a creamy, spicy spread.
- Toast the buns: Spread butter or mayo on the inside of the burger buns. Toast them in a skillet over medium heat until they are golden and slightly crisp, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread spicy mayo on both halves of the toasted buns. Layer with fresh lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles if desired, cheese slices if using, and top with the crispy fried chicken. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful burgers compared to breasts.
- For additional heat, add sliced jalapeños to the burger or increase cayenne pepper in the flour mix.
- Serve these burgers fresh and hot for the best crispiness and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus at least 1 hour marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
