A Zinger Burger is a spicy, crispy chicken burger popularized by fast food chains like KFC. It typically features a crispy, spicy chicken fillet paired with fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing. Here’s a recipe to make your own Zinger Burger at home!

A Zinger Burger is a spicy, crispy chicken burger popularized by fast food chains like KFC. It typically features a crispy, spicy chicken fillet paired with fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing. Here’s a recipe to make your own Zinger Burger at home!

Ingredients

For the Spicy Chicken Fillet:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts (skinless)
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• Oil for frying (vegetable or sunflower oil)

For the Burger Assembly:

• 2 burger buns (preferably brioche or sesame)
• Mayonnaise (or ranch sauce)
• Lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices
• Sliced pickles (optional)
• Cheese slices (optional)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken:

• Place the chicken breasts in a bowl. Add the buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice), hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, ensuring the chicken is fully coated.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to marinate and tenderize the chicken.

2. Prepare the Coating:

• In a separate shallow bowl or dish, combine the flour, baking powder, cornstarch (optional), paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
• Stir well to mix the dry ingredients.

3. Coat the Chicken:

• Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
• Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even, thick coating. Shake off any excess flour.

4. Fry the Chicken:

• Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be enough to submerge the chicken fillets.
• Fry the chicken fillets for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) by checking with a meat thermometer.
• Once fried, remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

5. Toast the Buns:

• While the chicken is frying, toast the burger buns lightly on a pan or in the oven until golden and crispy.

6. Assemble the Burger:

• Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise (or ranch dressing) on the bottom bun.
• Place a crispy chicken fillet on top of the mayo-covered bun.
• Add a layer of fresh lettuce, a slice of tomato, and pickles (if using).
• Optionally, place a slice of cheese on top of the chicken (melt the cheese by placing the assembled chicken and cheese under a broiler for 1-2 minutes).
• Top with the other half of the toasted bun.

7. Serve:

• Serve your homemade Zinger Burger hot with a side of fries, coleslaw, or your favorite dipping sauces!

Enjoy your crispy, spicy, and flavorful Zinger Burger! You can adjust the heat levels by tweaking the amount of cayenne pepper or hot sauce, depending on your spice tolerance.

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