This copycat McDonald's McChicken sandwich tastes so good it might cause a lawsuit. Just kidding. But it does taste pretty damn close and it is simple to make at home.
Can't get enough of copycat recipes? Try my McDonald's Poutine next!
๐ About This Recipe
I have never met anyone that doesn't like a McDonald's McChicken. In my opinion, it is one of the best things on their menu. The chicken patty is so flavorful, delicious, and unique from any other chicken burger out there. If you use the right lettuce, mayo, and buns, this copycat recipe comes very close to the original.
I do recommend using a meat grinder to grind your own chicken. That way you can control the meat quality and also add the chicken's skin into the mix. The skin has a lot of flavor. I didn't actually have skins so I skipped it today, but you should definitely try to add it.
I remember seeing a video of their chicken nugget factory, and the employee said that they added chicken skins to the nuggets.
๐ง Ingredients
- Chicken patties: You'll need chicken breasts, oil, cornstarch, paprika, sage, ground white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, and salt. I also like to add ยผ a teaspoon of marmite for umami but it is not necessary.
- Breading: The breading is composed of two parts. First an egg and flour dredge, then a coating of breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs need to be blended in a food processor to get to a finer consistency.
- Toppings: And of course, you'll need hamburger buns, lettuce, and mayonnaise. For the buns, I recommend using Dempster's sesame-seed hamburger buns. They are the closest copycat to the McChicken sandwich buns. For the mayonnaise, I recommend Hellman's Mayo. I use to work in fast food and this is what everyone always used.
- Oil for frying
๐ช Instructions
STEP 1: Grind the chicken breasts using a meat grinder food processor. If you have skins, you should add them too. Transfer to a medium bowl.
STEP 2: Add the remaining patty ingredients and mix vigorously for at least 2 minutes minute. I like wearing plastic gloves and really getting into the meat. This will give the patties a firmer and bouncier texture when cooked.
STEP 3: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the chicken mixture into six equal portions and shape into โ -inch thick patties. Arrange the patties on the baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour to firm up. This will make them much easier to bread.
STEP 4: In a shallow dish, whisk the flour and eggs into a smooth paste. It should have the consistency of a thick pancake batter. Add extra flour or water as needed.
STEP 5: In a food processor, blend the breadcrumbs into a fine powder. This should take about ten 5-second pulses. Transfer to a shallow dish.
STEP 6: Take one chicken patty at a time, coat it in the wet batter, and then press it into the breadcrumbs. Set it aside and repeat with the remaining patties.
STEP 7: Heat about 1 inch of oil to 350ยฐF. Fry 2-3 patties at a time for 4-6 minutes or until the inside reaches an internal temperature of 165ยฐF. Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
STEP 8: Now it is time to assemble the burgers. First, toast the hamburger buns so they are slightly golden. For each sandwich, spread two teaspoons of mayo on each bun, place a chicken patty on the bottom bun, add shredded lettuce on the top bun, and then combine the two buns. Enjoy!
๐ Recipe
Copycat McDonald's McChicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Patties
- 1 pound chicken breasts (preferably with the skin on, cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ยฝ teaspoon onion powder
- ยฝ teaspoon paprika
- ยฝ teaspoon ground sage
- ยฝ teaspoon sugar
- ยผ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ยผ teaspoon marmite (optional)
Breading
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
For Frying
For Assembling
Instructions
- Grind the chicken breasts using a meat grinder food processor. If you have skins, you should add them too. Transfer to a medium bowl.
- Add the remaining patty ingredients and mix vigorously for at least 2 minutes minute. I like wearing plastic gloves and really getting into the meat. This will give the patties a firmer and bouncier texture when cooked.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the chicken mixture into six equal portions and shape into โ -inch thick patties. Arrange the patties on the baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour to firm up. This will make them much easier to bread.
- In a shallow dish, whisk the flour and eggs into a smooth paste. It should have the consistency of a thick pancake batter. Add extra flour or water as needed.
- In a food processor, blend the breadcrumbs into a fine powder. This should take about ten 5-second pulses. Transfer to a shallow dish.
- Take one chicken patty at a time, coat it in the wet batter, and then press it into the breadcrumbs. Set it aside and repeat with the remaining patties.
- Heat about 1 inch of oil to 350ยฐF. Fry 2-3 patties at a time for 4-6 minutes or until the inside reaches an internal temperature of 165ยฐF. Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Now it is time to assemble the burgers. First, toast the hamburger buns so they are slightly golden. For each sandwich, spread two teaspoons of mayo on each bun, place a chicken patty on the bottom bun, add shredded lettuce on the top bun, and then combine the two buns. Enjoy!
Becky
I made this tonight. I had purchased chicken breast that was sliced pretty thin. I used then as they were instead of mixing like your directions. Otherwise I followed your recipe and altered the way in which they were breaded etc. Husband loved them!!
He took a couple bites and commented how great they are.๐ I loved them too. Will sure make again.