Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Southern fried chicken burger featuring a crispy fried chicken patty, lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a toasted bun

Southern Fried Chicken Burger

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 10 reviews

These delicious Southern Fried Chicken Burgers are the ultimate weeknight “fakeaway” featuring tender seasoned chicken fried to golden perfection. Served with brioche buns, cheese, pickles and shredded lettuce, these burgers are a quick and delicious meal the whole family will love.

  • Total Time: 13 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or 2 chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally to form 4 thinner pieces)
  • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (250 ml) buttermilk
  • 1 cup (150 g) plain (all-purpose) flour 
  • ½ cup (60 g) cornflour (cornstarch) (or potato flour)
  • Oil, for frying (see note 1)

TO SERVE 

  • 4 brioche buns, or any burger bun of your choice 
  • 4 tsp whole-egg mayonnaise
  • 1/4 head of oakleaf or butter lettuce, shredded 
  • 4 slices gouda (or burger or American cheese)
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) sliced gherkin (dill pickles)
  • Extra salt

Instructions

Prepare the chicken

  1. Pound the chicken using a mallet or rolling pin so that it is roughly 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick and also even in thickness. Set aside on a plate.
  2. Combine the sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and salt in a bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken taking care to get an even coverage.

Coat the chicken

  1. Place the buttermilk in a shallow bowl and combine the flour and cornflour in a separate shallow bowl.
  2. Dip the seasoned chicken pieces first in the buttermilk, then dredge them in the flour mixture, ensuring they are coated all over.

Fry the chicken

  1. Heat the oil in a large, deep heavy-based pan over medium–low heat (don’t be tempted to go too high with the oil temperature, as the chicken will cook too quickly on the outside and will not be cooked on the inside; medium–low is perfect).
  2. Cook the chicken for 4 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden.
  3. Drain on a paper towel. 

Assemble the burgers

  1. Toast the brioche buns if desired.
  2. Place a dollop of mayonnaise on the bottom of the bun, followed by the shredded lettuce, chicken, cheese, pickles, and another dollop of mayonnaise if desired. Sprinkle with extra salt to serve, if desired. Top with the bun lid and serve immediately.

Equipment

Notes

Note 1 – Deep-frying is the best way to achieve crispy golden chicken. A high smoke-point, neutral-flavoured oil, such as canola (rapeseed), vegetable oil, sunflower oil or rice bran oil, is easy to work with and most economical, but a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil can also be used. You will need enough oil so the bottom of the pan is fully covered and the oil is at least 3 cm (11/4 inches) deep. This is a video on how you can clean your oil and reuse it although I usually skip this step, strain the oil and keep it in a jar, refrigerated, until I need to use it again.

Make ahead

Chicken – Season the chicken and marinate it in buttermilk for up to 24 hours prior to cooking. It will be even juicier and more delicious!

Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover chicken for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a preheated 200°C (400°F) (180°C/350°F fan-forced) oven for 10–15 minutes until heated through. The microwave will soften the coating, whereas the oven will retain some of the crispiness. Not suitable to freeze.

  • Author: Nicole
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 8 mins
  • Category: burger, chicken burger
  • Method: pan fry, assemble
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://simplehomeedit.com/recipe/southern-fried-chicken-burger/