Copycat McDonald’s McChicken
Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
This Copycat McDonald’s McChicken brings fast-food flavor straight to your kitchen with simple ingredients and crispy, golden perfection.
A juicy, seasoned chicken patty is fried until crispy, then tucked into a soft bun with mayo and shredded lettuce, just like the original!
No drive-thru required. Quick to prep and totally family-approved, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, picky eaters, or nostalgic fast food nights at home.
How To Make Copycat McDonald’s McChicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika, divided
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/4 cups club soda
- oil for frying
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted
- Shredded lettuce
- Mayonnaise
Step-by-Step Guide
1. In a large bowl combine the ground chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black powder and ½ teaspoon paprika.
2. Shape chicken mixture into 4 patties and freeze on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet for 30 minutes.
3. In a large high walled skillet heat oil to 375 degrees.
4. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, remaining salt, remaining paprika, and pepper in a bowl.
5. Lightly coat the patties in the flour mixture and set patties aside.
6. Add the club soda to the remaining flour mixture and whisk to combine.
7. Dip patties into batter and carefully place into the hot oil.
8. Fry until golden brown and cooked through about 5 to 6 minutes per batch flipping if needed.
9. Drain on a wire rack.
10. Serve patties on buns with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.
Tips & Tricks
- For that signature taste, use iceberg lettuce and your favorite mayo, nothing fancy!
- Toast the buns lightly for extra flavor and texture.
- Want it extra crispy? Double dip: flour → egg → breadcrumbs → back in flour.
Substitutions
- Chicken – You can sub ground turkey or make your own ground turkey by using a food processor and chicken breasts.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko gives extra crunch, while crushed cornflakes can mimic the fast food texture.
- Oil – Any neutral frying oil works (vegetable, canola, peanut).
- Mayo – Swap with spicy mayo or garlic aioli for a twist.
Variations
- Spicy McChicken – Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the batter or mayo.
- Deluxe-style – Add tomato slices and pickles like the McChicken Deluxe.
- McChicken sliders – Use mini buns for party-friendly versions.
Copycat McDonald’s McChicken
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika divided
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/4 cups club soda
- oil for frying
- 4 hamburger buns toasted
- Shredded lettuce
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the ground chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black powder and ½ teaspoon paprika.
- Shape chicken mixture into 4 patties and freeze on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet for 30 minutes.
- In a large high walled skillet heat oil to 375 degrees.
- Whisk together flour, cornstarch, remaining salt, remaining paprika, and pepper in a bowl.
- Lightly coat the patties in the flour mixture and set patties aside.
- Add the club soda to the remaining flour mixture and whisk to combine.
- Dip patties into batter and carefully place into the hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown and cooked through about 5 to 6 minutes per batch flipping if needed.
- Drain on a wire rack.
- Serve patties on buns with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- For that signature taste, use iceberg lettuce and your favorite mayo, nothing fancy!
- Toast the buns lightly for extra flavor and texture.
- Want it extra crispy? Double dip: flour → egg → breadcrumbs → back in flour.
Substitutions
- Chicken – You can sub ground turkey or make your own ground turkey by using a food processor and chicken breasts.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko gives extra crunch, while crushed cornflakes can mimic the fast food texture.
- Oil – Any neutral frying oil works (vegetable, canola, peanut).
- Mayo – Swap with spicy mayo or garlic aioli for a twist.
Variations
- Spicy McChicken – Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the batter or mayo.
- Deluxe-style – Add tomato slices and pickles like the McChicken Deluxe.
- McChicken sliders – Use mini buns for party-friendly versions.
