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8.9BM score
McDonald's McChicken (Copycat)
Community Rating8.7 · 3 votes
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About
This is a home version of the McChicken from McDonald's, rebuilt from scratch rather than reheated out of a box. Stripped back, it is ground chicken, salt, onion powder and white pepper. Worth reading twice before you start: assembly is classic: spread a good amount of the prepared mayo sauce on the top bun. There is a separate sauce to mix before anything hits the pan, and it keeps in the fridge for a few days if you make it ahead. It scored 8.9 out of 10 here, and readers have voted on it 3 times since. The full method runs to 6 steps below, with the ingredient list above it. Everything is measured for a normal home kitchen rather than a restaurant line.
Ingredients
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- Ground chicken1 pound (450g) ground chicken (mix of breast and thigh for juiciness)
- Salt1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
- Onion powder1/4 teaspoon (1g) onion powder
- White pepper1/4 teaspoon (1g) white pepper
- Vegetable oilVegetable oil for deep frying
batter & breading
- All-purpose flour1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- Water2/3 cup (160ml) water
- Egg1 egg
- Salt1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- Black pepper1/2 teaspoon (1g) black pepper
- Onion powder1/2 teaspoon (2g) onion powder
sauce
- Mayonnaise1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise (standard heavy duty)
- Onion powder1/8 teaspoon onion powder
assembly
- Sesame seed bun4 soft sesame seed buns
- Iceberg lettuce1 cup (50g) shredded iceberg lettuce
Recipe
- 1Mix the ground chicken with salt, onion powder, and white pepper. Shape into 4 thin, circular patties. Pro tip: wet your hands with water so the meat doesn't stick. Put the patties on parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour. They must be firm to survive the breading process.
- 2Let's make the signature McChicken sauce. It's just mayo with a hint of onion powder. Whisk them together in a small bowl and put it in the fridge. This simple tweak is what makes it taste like McDonald's and not just plain mayo.
- 3Prepare the batter: whisk the egg and water in one bowl. In another bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Dip the frozen patty into the flour, then the egg wash, and then back into the flour for a solid coating. For that specific fast-food texture, make sure the coating is even but not too thick.
- 4Heat oil in a deep pan or pot to 350°F (180°C). Fry the frozen breaded patties for about 5-6 minutes until they are golden brown and floating. Don't overload the pan — fry them one or two at a time to keep the oil hot.
- 5Lightly toast your sesame seed buns. You want them warm and soft, not crunchy like a crouton. A quick 30 seconds on a dry pan is enough.
- 6Assembly is classic: spread a good amount of the prepared mayo sauce on the top bun. Put the chicken patty on the bottom bun, cover it with a big handful of shredded iceberg lettuce, and flip the saucy top bun onto it. Press down slightly so the lettuce stays in place.
Videos
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