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Home » Air Fryer Recipes

Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe (Better than McDonald's)

11/06/2024 by Maja Ilic Leave a Comment

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This Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe will become your new favourite weekly meal! It is so delicious and tastes way better than the fast food version at the McDonald's restaurants.

This recipe went viral on tiktok - make it yourself in just 20 minutes!  It will fulfill your daily calorie needs, while helping you stick to your daily diet! I can say with good faith, that it is one of my absolute favourite weeknight meals!

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Crispy junior chicken burgers are a beloved comfort food enjoyed year-round. They're a favourite among burger lovers of all ages.

This Crispy Junior Chicken Burger was inspired by my other chicken recipes on my site: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs, Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders & Marry Me Chicken Pasta.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • How to Store and Reheat
  • 3 Top Tips for Success
  • FAQ's
  • Related
  • Pairing
  • Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe (Better than McDonald's)
  • Food safety

Ingredients

  • Chicken thigh
  • Egg
  • Cornflakes
  • Paprika seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Brioche bun
  • Spicy mayo
  • Iceberg Lettuce 
  • Salt & Pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe
Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe
Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe
Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe

1. Begin by seasoning the chicken thigh generously with salt, pepper, red paprika seasoning, and garlic powder. For a thinner chicken, flatten the thigh using baking paper and gently pound it with the flat side of a mallet.

2. In a shallow bowl, beat the egg.

3. Dip the seasoned chicken thigh into the beaten egg, ensuring it's well coated.

4. Crush the cornflakes and season them with the same spices. Coat the chicken thigh evenly with the seasoned cornflakes.

5. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).

6. Place the coated chicken thigh in the air fryer basket and cook for 18 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

7. While the chicken is cooking, prepare your sandwich fixings: slice the brioche bun and wash and dry the lettuce leaves.

8. Once the chicken is done, assemble your sandwich: spread spicy mayo on the brioche bun, add lettuce leaves, then place the crispy chicken thigh on top.

9. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious crispy chicken sandwich!

Substitutions

Chicken Thighs: Chicken breast or turkey thigh.

Eggs: Milk or plain yogurt.

Cornflakes: Panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.

Paprika Seasoning: Chili powder or smoked paprika.

Garlic Powder: Garlic salt or minced fresh garlic.

Brioche Bun: Hamburger bun or ciabatta roll.

Spicy Mayo: Sriracha mayo or hot sauce mixed with mayo.

Iceberg Lettuce: Romaine lettuce or spinach leaves.Salt & Pepper: Seasoned salt, lemon pepper seasoning or season of choice.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board

How to Store and Reheat

To store, refrigerate the cooked chicken sandwich components separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. 

To reheat, air fry the chicken at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. 

Alternatively, microwave the chicken for 1-2 minutes. Reheat the bun separately in a toaster or microwave. Assemble the sandwich and enjoy.

3 Top Tips for Success

1. Thorough Coating: Ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the egg and seasoned cornflakes or breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior.

2. Preheating the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer before cooking to ensure even and consistent cooking, resulting in a perfectly crispy chicken.

3. Assembly Timing: Assemble the sandwich just before serving to maintain the crispiness of the chicken and freshness of the bun and lettuce.

FAQ's

What is a Junior Chicken Burger?

A Junior Chicken Burger typically consists of a breaded and fried chicken patty served on a bun with various toppings like lettuce and mayo.

What is Junior Chicken sauce made of?

Junior chicken sauce is often made of mayonnaise mixed with spices or hot sauce to add flavour and a bit of heat.

What are the ingredients in a Junior Chicken?

Ingredients in a Junior Chicken typically include a chicken patty, bun, lettuce, and mayonnaise-based sauce, along with optional additions like cheese or tomato. To take it to the next level, make it at home!

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe:

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    The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies (Soft Cookie Recipe)
  • holiday hosting
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  • steak pasta
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  • creamy bolognese
    Easy and Creamy Bolognese Pasta Recipe (Best Sauce)
Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe

Crispy Junior Chicken Burger Recipe (Better than McDonald's)

This homemade junior chicken sandwich will become your new favourite weekly meal! It is so delicious and tastes way better than the fast food version at the McDonald's restaurants.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Servings: 1 person
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 chicken thigh
  • 1 egg
  • 100 g cornflakes
  • 1 teaspoon red paprika seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 brioche bun
  • spicy mayo & other vegetable toppings

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Air Fryer

Method
 

  1. Begin by seasoning the chicken thigh generously with salt, pepper, red paprika seasoning, and garlic powder. For a thinner chicken, flatten the thigh using baking paper and gently pound it with the flat side of a mallet.
  2. In a shallow bowl, beat the egg.
  3. Dip the seasoned chicken thigh into the beaten egg, ensuring it's well coated.
  4. Crush the cornflakes and season them with the same spices. Coat the chicken thigh evenly with the seasoned cornflakes.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
  6. Place the coated chicken thigh in the air fryer basket and cook for 18 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
  7. While the chicken is cooking, prepare your sandwich fixings: slice the brioche bun and wash and dry the lettuce leaves.
  8. Once the chicken is done, assemble your sandwich: spread spicy mayo on the brioche bun, add lettuce leaves, then place the crispy chicken thigh on top.
  9. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious crispy chicken sandwich!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Food safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash 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
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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  • smash burger tacos
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Hi, I'm Maja (ma-ya)!

I’m a 22-year-old who found my passion for cooking after tying the knot at 20. Giving it my all to balance studies, work, and a healthy lifestyle.

I love to share mouthwatering recipes crafted for busy young people, proving that good food is not all that difficult and time consuming to make!

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