KFC Mac 'N Cheese Zinger (Copycat)

6.4community · 0 votes6.4BM score

6.4

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About

A spicy, cheesy dream from KFC’s international menu. The Mac 'N Cheese Zinger combines a crispy, spicy chicken fillet with creamy mac and cheese, lettuce, and a zesty mayo sauce inside a soft bun. The mac and cheese adds a gooey, indulgent layer that makes every bite rich and comforting, while the Zinger chicken delivers that classic fiery crunch. It scored 6.4 out of 10 here after cooking it exactly as written. The full method runs to 6 steps below. Nothing here needs equipment beyond a pan, a spatula and somewhere to rest the patty.

Ingredients

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chicken

Chicken breast2 boneless chicken breast fillets
Buttermilk1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
Hot sauce1 tbsp hot sauce
Paprika1 tsp paprika
Cayenne pepper1 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt1 tsp salt

coating

All-purpose flour1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
Cornstarch2 tbsp cornstarch
Garlic powder1 tsp garlic powder
Onion powder1 tsp onion powder
Paprika1 tsp paprika
Cayenne pepper1 tsp cayenne pepper
Black pepper1/2 tsp black pepper

mac & cheese

Macaroni1 cup (90g) elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
Heavy cream1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
Cheddar1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
Butter1 tbsp butter
Black pepperpinch salt and black pepper

sauce

Mayonnaise1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
Hot sauce1 tsp hot sauce
Paprika1/2 tsp paprika
Saltpinch salt

assembly

Burger bun2 sesame burger buns, toasted
Iceberg lettuce1/2 cup (20g) shredded iceberg lettuce
Vegetable oilvegetable oil, for frying

Recipe

1
Marinate the chicken. In a bowl combine buttermilk, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. Add the chicken fillets and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor.
2
Prepare the coating. In a shallow dish mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge thoroughly, pressing to form craggy edges for a crunchy crust.
3
Fry the chicken. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the fillets for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Let rest on a wire rack to maintain crunch.
4
Make the mac & cheese. In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter and stir in heavy cream. Add shredded cheddar and stir until smooth and creamy. Mix in the cooked macaroni, season with salt and pepper.
5
Make the spicy mayo. In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, hot sauce, paprika, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
6
Toast the buns lightly. Assemble the burger: bottom bun, a spoonful of spicy mayo, crispy chicken fillet, a generous layer of mac & cheese, shredded lettuce, then the top bun. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.