Close-up of a breaded chicken fillet with shredded lettuce in a soft burger bun

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Copycat McChicken Sandwich

The original: McChicken · McDonald's →

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About

The McChicken is a formed patty rather than a whole chicken breast, and this copycat makes one the same way. Chicken breast and thigh are pulsed in a food processor with garlic powder, white pepper, paprika and salt until the mixture is fine and even, then shaped into six patties and frozen for 20 to 30 minutes, just long enough to firm up for coating.

The coating is where this version is different: a light dusting of flour and cornstarch, then a dip in a batter made by whisking club soda into the rest of the flour mixture. The bubbles in the soda make the crust fry up light and crisp. The oil is heated to 375°F and kept between 330 and 350°F while frying, with only two or three patties in at a time. Serve them the way McDonald’s does, with shredded iceberg lettuce and mayonnaise on a plain bun.

Ingredients

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Chicken breast1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in 1 inch pieces
Chicken thigh3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut in 1 inch pieces
Garlic powder1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
White pepper1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Paprika1 teaspoon paprika, divided
Salt2 teaspoon salt, divided
All-purpose flour1 cup flour
Cornstarch2/3 cup cornstarch
Black pepper3/4 teaspoon pepper
Burger bunHamburger Buns
Iceberg lettuceShredded iceberg lettuce
MayonnaiseMayonnaise for serving
Club soda1 1/4 cup club soda
Vegetable oil2 cups oil for frying
Iceberg lettuce1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
Mayonnaise3 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste

Recipe

1
Combine chicken, garlic powder, white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and it forms a uniform mixture.
2
Shape chicken mixture into 6 patties and freeze on a parchment or wax paper-lined baking sheet for 20 to 30 minutes.
3
Heat oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Whisk together flour, cornstarch, remaining salt, remaining paprika, and pepper in a bowl. Lightly coat partially frozen patties in flour mixture and shake off any excess mixture and set patties aside.
4
Add club soda to remaining flour mixture in bowl and whisk to combine.
5
Working 2 to 3 at a time, dip patties into batter, allow excess to drip off and carefully place into the hot oil. Fry, while maintaining a temperature of 330 to 350 degrees F (165 to 175 degrees C), until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Drain on a wire rack set inside a paper towel lined rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining patties.
6
Serve patties on buns with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.