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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Crispy Chicken Burger (KFC Zinger Burger)

    By: Jessica · Posted: Dec 1, 2021 · Updated: Jan 18, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 burgers
    crispy chicken zinger burger

    Crispy Chicken Burger Recipe (or Zinger Burger): Chicken breast soaked in a buttermilk marinade, spices, and hot sauce then breaded and fried before being sandwiched between two hamburger buns.

    With our now, WORLD FAMOUS burger recipe, I knew we had to create more burger recipes for you, even if that meant, chicken burgers! So today, get ready because this may be your new favorite chicken sandwich, especially if you’re a fan of the Zinger burger from KFC!

    Crispy Chicken Burger
    A homemade crispy chicken burger- yum!

    Why you’ll love this fried chicken burger recipe

    If you love a good fried chicken burger but you don’t own a deep fryer (and you don’t feel like ordering take out tonight), this fried chicken burger made in a skillet is going to blow your mind. This homemade version of a crispy chicken burger will give you all the crunch and all the flavor you’ve been craving!

    I know the idea of frying chicken might seem intimidating, but I promise it’s not as scary as all that. Follow along below and I’ll show you how easy it can be!

    Zinger burger copycat

    Did you ever have the Zinger burger from KFC? Oh my goodness. That crispy chicken patty, with a little heat… was BEYOND delicious. It has since been discontinued but with this crispy chicken sandwich, topped with the optional sauce recipe below, your zinger burger lovin-heart will once again be fulfilled. This reminds me SO much of it and I can’t wait to share it with you!

    Pair this crispy chicken burger recipe with our Baked Fiesta Ranch Potato Wedges and The BEST Side Salad Recipe for a dinner time your family won’t soon forget!

    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this fried chicken burger recipe
    • Zinger burger copycat
    • Ingredients for crispy chicken burgers
    • How to make this chicken burger
    • Crispy chicken burger sauce
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Expert tips and FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • More Burger Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients for crispy chicken burgers

    • 4 small chicken breasts, thawed & raw (or 2 large breasts, cut in half)
    • 32 ounces vegetable oil

    Chicken marinade ingredients

    • 2 cups buttermilk
    • 2 tablespoons hot sauce of your choice (our favorite is Frank’s Red Hot)
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour

    Ingredients for seasoned flour mixture to bread chicken

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons ground paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

    Toppings

    If desired of course. (Make sure to see the sauce recipe below too if that’s something you’d love to top this with!)

    • 4 large hamburger buns (brioche buns are our FAVE!)
    • 4 slices cheddar cheese
    • 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
    • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, washed
    • 8 pickle slices
    Ingredients for crispy chicken burgers.

    How to make this chicken burger

    1. Wrap chicken breasts in plastic wrap/cling film and place them on a cutting board. Using a mallet or other kitchen tool (like a rolling pin), pound the chicken pieces until evenly thick (about ¾ inch).
    Chicken breasts with spices in small bowls surrounding them.
    1. Combine your marinade ingredients (buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper) into a large bowl and whisk together. 

    Optional – You can add the chicken breasts to the marinade and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight, like we do with these mini chicken sandwiches! Then remove the chicken from the marinade (reserving marinade to use when coating chicken breasts) and allow chicken to rest for 15 minutes at room temperature before moving on with the recipe.

    Add spices and hot sauce to your buttermilk to create a marinade.
    Marinade
    Marinade mixture ready to be used.
    Mix marinade
    1. Add remaining cup of flour to the marinade and mix. Set aside. 
    Add flour to your buttermilk to create a batter.
    Add 1 cup of flour to your marinade and mix. This will become your batter for dipping the chicken pieces in.
    1. Add the ingredients for the seasoned flour mixture used to bread the chicken into a small bowl and whisk together. Pour this onto a large plate or into a shallow bowl.
    Mix together flour and spices to create the coating for your chicken.
    Seasoning
    Whisk together flour and spices.
    Whisk together.
    1. Add oil to a large skillet on medium heat and let it heat up. Grab one piece of chicken at a time and dip it into the marinade/flour mixture until it’s completely coated, then dredge chicken in the seasoned flour batter mixture (coat it, making sure all sides are covered). Use your hands to press firmly to ensure the batter mixture sticks.
    After dipping your chicken in the marinade mixture, coat it in the seasoned flour.
    Dip chicken
    Make sure that all sides of your chicken piece are coated in the seasoned flour mixture.
    Coat chicken

    Repeat this process (dip in marinade, coat in batter mixture) twice for each chicken breast, gently shaking off any excess flour mixture when you are done. 

    Repeat the process twice (dip in batter, coat in flour).
    Dip marinade again
    Use your hands to make sure the flour mixture sticks to the chicken.
    Coat again
    1. Once all breasts are thoroughly coated, place them into hot oil making sure they are not touching each other (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your chicken and the size of your pan). Fry for 8 minutes, then flip and fry for an additional 7 minutes. The chicken patties should be golden brown when finished. 
    2. Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a wire rack that’s sitting over a baking tray or pan (you could also place some paper towel on the baking tray/pan to catch the excess oil that drips off). 

    Next, make the burger sauce…

    Let your chicken pieces sit on a wire rack to cool a bit and let the excess oil drip off.

    Crispy chicken burger sauce

    This creamy mayonnaise-based sauce is delicious on chicken burgers (and with fries, and for dipping chicken fingers in…) and it’s SO easy to make!

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce of your choice
    • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
    Mix together your sauce ingredients.
    Mix together the mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, paprika and ground pepper.
    1. In a small bowl, add sauce ingredients – mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, paprika, and ground pepper, then whisk until combined. And voila, your crispy chicken burger sauce is ready to go!
    Your creamy mayonnaise mixture will go on the top bun of your burger.
    Crispy Chicken Burger Sauce
    1. Open the hamburger buns and spread the creamy mayonnaise mixture onto the top bun. Place pickle slices, fried chicken breast, and a slice of cheese onto the bottom bun, then top with tomato slices and fresh lettuce. 
    Time to assemble your chicken burger!
    Sauce on bun
    Place a cheese slice on top of each chicken patty.
    Cheddar cheese
    Add fresh lettuce on top of your chicken and cheese.
    Lettuce
    Your chicken sandwiches are ready to eat!
    Place your top bun onto the fresh lettuce and enjoy!

    Substitutions

    If you are looking for a healthier version of a crispy chicken sandwich, try swapping out the hamburger bun for romaine lettuce! Lay 4-5 romaine lettuce leaves out, overlapping the edges slightly. Place your burger and toppings in the center of the lettuce and then fold the edges up around it.

    It’s messy, but it’s delicious and it cuts down the calories and carbs in this recipe.

    Variations

    If this isn’t your first chicken breast burger recipe and you’re looking for ways to change things up, try these variations…

    Instead of cheddar cheese, try a jalapeño Havarti cheese for an extra kick.

    Instead of hamburger buns, try using toasted brioche buns for a more decadent experience!

    stacked zinger burgers with white background
    Zinger burgers – KFC Copycat

    Storage

    Store the crispy chicken burger patties, sauce, and toppings separately in airtight, sealed containers. When you are ready to eat, warm the patties up and then assemble your chicken sandwiches as specified in the recipe.

    Expert tips and FAQs

    What is the best type of bun to use for a crunchy chicken burger?

    Switching up the style of bun you use can add a bit of variety to your chicken burger.

    Do you like a really soft, sweet bun? Try a Hawaiian roll.

    Looking for something super soft and decadent? Brioche rolls are for you!

    If you’re interested in something more classic, try using a classic hamburger bun but instead of leaving them as is try toasted buns.

    Can I use chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts for this recipe?

    You sure can, but chicken tenders are smaller than a breast so your resulting chicken patty will be a bit smaller as well.

    Zinger burger on brioche bun with lettuce tomato cheese
    Pick your favorite toppings for this chicken sandwich

    Related Recipes

    If you loved this crispy chicken burger recipe, you’ll also love these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders and these Air Fryer Chicken Legs!

    More Burger Recipes

    But if you’re a burger lover, you definitely don’t want to miss our stove-top burgers, donut burgers, waffle burgers, and our cheeseburger sliders. (Yeah, we’re kind of addicted to burgers around here!)

    📖 Recipe

    Crispy Chicken Burger

    Crispy Chicken Burger Recipe

    Jessica Burgess
    Chicken breast soaked in a buttermilk marinade, spices, and hot sauce then breaded and fried before being sandwiched between two hamburger buns…is your mouth watering yet? This crispy chicken burger recipe will be a weekly meal plan must-have in no time!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 burgers
    Calories 802 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 small chicken breasts thawed and raw (or 2 large breasts, cut in half)
    • 32 ounces vegetable oil

    Chicken Marinade

    • 2 cups buttermilk
    • 2 tablespoons hot sauce brand of your choice (our favorite is Frank's Red hot)
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour

    Flour Mixture for Breading Chicken

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons ground paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

    Toppings

    • 4 large hamburger buns
    • 4 slices cheddar cheese
    • 2 large tomatoes sliced
    • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce washed
    • 8 pickle slices

    Crispy Chicken Burger Sauce

    • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce brand of your choice
    • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Wrap chicken breasts in plastic wrap/cling film and place them on a cutting board. Using a mallet or other kitchen tool (like a rolling pin), pound the chicken pieces until evenly thick (about ¾ inch).
    • Combine your marinade ingredients (buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper) into a large bowl and whisk together.
      Optional – You can add the chicken breasts to the marinade and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Then remove the chicken from the marinade (reserving marinade to use when coating chicken breasts) and allow chicken to rest for 15 minutes at room temperature before moving on with the recipe.
    • Add remaining cup of flour to the marinade and mix. Set aside.
    • Add the ingredients for the batter to bread the chicken into a small bowl and whisk together. Pour this onto a large plate or into a shallow bowl.
    • Add oil to a large skillet on medium heat and let it heat up. Grab one piece of chicken at a time and dip it into the marinade/flour mixture until it's completely coated, then dredge chicken in the seasoned flour batter mixture (coat it, making sure all sides are covered). Use your hands to press firmly to ensure the batter mixture sticks.
      Repeat this process (dip in marinade, coat in batter mixture) twice for each chicken breast, gently shaking off any excess flour mixture when you are done.
    • Once all breasts are thoroughly coated, place them into hot oil making sure they are not touching each other (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your chicken and the size of your pan). Fry for 8 minutes, then flip and fry for an additional 7 minutes. The chicken patties should be golden brown when finished.
    • Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a wire rack that's sitting over a baking tray or pan (you could also place some paper towel on the baking tray/pan to catch the excess oil that drips off).
    • In a small bowl, add your sauce ingredients – mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, paprika, and ground pepper, then whisk until combined.
    • Open the hamburger buns and spread the creamy mayonnaise mixture onto the top bun. Place pickle slices, fried chicken breast, and a slice of cheese onto the bottom bun, then top with tomato slices and fresh lettuce.

    Notes

    Safety First! Always be careful when working with hot oil as it can splatter and has the potential to burn. Wear long sleeves and use caution when putting your chicken pieces into or taking them out of the hot oil.
    Storage: Store the crispy chicken burger patties, sauce, and toppings separately in airtight, sealed containers. When you are ready to eat, warm the patties up and then assemble your chicken sandwiches as specified in the recipe. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1burger | Calories: 802kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1432mg | Potassium: 1461mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3464IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 7mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords burgers in a skillet, chicken, crispy chicken burger recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food safety

    Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind if you are relatively new to cooking…

    • Cook chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash your hands after touching raw meat
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds (like the vegetable oil called for in this recipe)
    • Always ensure you have proper ventilation when cooking with hot oil (turn your oven fan on, open a nearby window)

    You can learn more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    More Easy Dinner Recipes

    • Panko Crusted Cod
    • Dutch Oven Pot Roast
    • Fried Chicken Sliders
    • Chicken Bolognese Recipe

    Get my 5 Secrets to Get Dinner on the Table FAST!

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Audra Fox says

      December 06, 2021 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      My kids loved these burgers so much! And they were super easy to make. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 06, 2021 at 12:19 pm

        Yay!! There’s nothing better than a crispy chicken burger in my opinion! Haha, thank you!

        Reply
    2. Erin says

      December 06, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      My husband is a HUGE fan of this recipe. Anything crispy and spicy he can’t resist! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 06, 2021 at 12:19 pm

        Woo hoo! I have to agree with your husband there. Haha! So glad that he liked the zinger burger! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!

        Reply
    3. Andrea Thueson says

      December 06, 2021 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      This crispy chicken sandwich was so goood! It tasted even better than take-out!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 06, 2021 at 4:25 pm

        Aw yay! We think this chicken sandwich tastes better than fast food too! Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Brian says

      April 19, 2022 at 6:17 pm

      5 stars
      Was looking all this for a good sauce recipe. Almost gave up hope when I came across your website. It is, by far the best recipe out there. This is the one thing holding us back from having zingers more often.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 20, 2022 at 2:52 pm

        Ahhh!! That’s so awesome to hear Brian, thank you! I’m thrilled that you didn’t give up and you came across this recipe to try!! Woo hoo! Thanks again!

        Reply

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    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity

    Hi, I'm Jessica! Are you ready to add simplicity to your busy life? Here you'll find easy recipes, organization hacks, home & entertaining ideas...

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