Crispy, Crunchy, Gluten-Free: The Chicken Burger That Stands Alone

Tired of the same old hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill all summer? Looking to shake things up with something equally delicious but totally different? Try out this Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken Burger recipe from Fun Without Gluten. 

If you’re craving that satisfying crunch and juicy chicken but need to avoid gluten, you’re in the right place! The best part? It’s sandwiched between our pillowy, allergen-free Vegan Oat Hamburger Buns. Get ready to ditch the grill for one night and dive into this incredibly tasty meal.

Ingredients:

Chicken Burger:

5 Chicken Thigh Fillets, skin removed
5 gluten-free hamburger buns
¼ lettuce head, shredded finely
4 medium sweet pickles, sliced lengthwise
6 fresh chive stems, snipped finely
sunflower or vegetable oil, for frying
200 g corn starch
150 ml buttermilk

Chicken Marinade:

½ tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp white pepper
2 tbsp hot sauce
½ tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, chopped finely
2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped finely

Sour Cream Sauce:

3 tbsp sour cream
1 tbsp mayonnaise
½ tbsp hot sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp white pepper

Hot Sauce Glaze:

2 tbsp hot sauce
20 g butter

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken thigh fillets by removing any excess fat and skin (if purchased with skin)
2. Prepare the marinade by mixing all the listed ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the chicken thigh fillets to the marinade. Cover and chill for at least one hour. Overnight is ideal.
3. In a separate bowl, add the corn starch, ½ tbsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp white pepper. Mix together well. In another bowl, mix together buttermilk and 2 tbsp of hot sauce. Set these bowls aside.
4. Drain the excess marinade off the chicken.
5. Transfer the chicken to the bowl with the corn starch mixture, patting it and turning it often.
6. Dunk the chicken in the buttermilk mixture and submerge it entirely in the liquid. Then drain any excess liquid by holding it over the bowl with tongs.
7. Return the chicken to the corn starch mixture, while patting and turning the chicken in the mixture. This extra cornflour coating is what gives the chicken its special crunchiness.  
8. Heat the hot sauce and butter for the hot sauce glaze in a small pan, mixing occasionally. Once the butter has melted, keep the sauce warm over low heat until all the chicken has been fried.
9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
10. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour 5 cm of sunflower or vegetable oil into the pan.
11. Once all the chicken pieces have been crumbed, place them in the preheated pan and fry for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, or until crispy and golden. Do this in several batches, don’t overcrowd the pan.
12. When all the chicken pieces are golden and fried, remove the chicken and allow them to drain on crumpled baking paper. Paper towels will make the chicken soggy.
13. Transfer the fried chicken to a baking sheet and brush the tops with the hot sauce glaze.
14. Bake in the oven for 8 minutes, turning over halfway and brushing with more glaze.
15. Mix all the sour cream sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
16. Split the hamburger buns and heat them in the oven for a few minutes. 
17. Spread the sour cream sauce on the bottom bun. Add the shredded lettuce, followed by the crispy chicken. Top with more sour cream sauce, sliced pickles, and fresh chives. Add the top bun and serve immediately.

Pro tip: To make these chicken burgers “kid friendly”, simply leave out the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and paprika ingredients and skip the glazing step. These chicken burgers are also perfect for school lunches! They’re easy to cut up and pair with some of the sour cream sauce on the side, and a handful of our Cheddar Crackers.

So there you have it – a gluten-free crispy chicken burger that’s sure to become a new favorite. If you’re looking for a delicious alternative to your standard grilled grub, this recipe is a winner. When you finish your burger and have dessert on your mind, check out some of our other gluten-free recipes on our blog, like our Gluten-Free S’mores Bites or our Bourbon Bread Pudding. Happy cooking!