✔ Published · new copycat recipe with fryer + air fryer methods
These copycat Burger King chicken fries are long, skinny strips of juicy chicken in a peppery, crazy-crunchy coat, made for dunking. Each batch fries in about 4 minutes, and there's an air fryer option too!
What Are Burger King Chicken Fries? (Quick Answer)
Burger King chicken fries are thin, fry-shaped strips of white-meat chicken in a crunchy, peppery breading, served with dipping sauces. To make them at home, cut chicken breast into 1/2-inch strips, coat them in flour, egg and a seasoned panko-flour crumb, then fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and 165°F (74°C) inside.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Cut the strips no thicker than 1/2 inch. Skinny strips hit 165°F in the same 3 to 4 minutes the crust needs to go golden, so you get juicy inside and crunchy outside every single time.
Why You'll Love These Chicken Fries
- Made for dipping: the long, skinny shape means more crust and more sauce in every bite.
- A peppery, extra-crunchy coating from crushed panko mixed with seasoned flour.
- Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly, with an air fryer method for less oil.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Crush the panko. Pulse it in a food processor or bash it in a bag (very satisfying). Fine crumbs hug the thin strips and give a tight, even crunch.
- Let the coating set. Ten minutes on a rack before frying helps the breading stick, so it stays on the chicken instead of floating off in the oil.
- Fry in small batches. Crowding drops the oil temperature and makes greasy chicken fries. Patience! Let the oil come back to 350°F between batches.
- Check one piece. Test the thickest strip in each batch with an instant-read thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Hold them crisp. Keep finished batches on a rack in a 200°F oven while you fry the rest. Guard them well; they vanish fast.
Copycat Burger King Chicken Fries
4
servings20
minutes15
minutes470
kcal35
minutesCopycat-style Burger King chicken fries: chicken breast cut into thin, fry-shaped strips, dipped in seasoned flour, egg and a peppery panko-flour crumb, then fried at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until crunchy, golden and 165°F inside. Serve with dipping sauces.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- For the Breading
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 large eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs, crushed fine
1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
6 cups neutral oil, for frying
Directions
- Cut and Bread
- Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips about 3 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick, like thick-cut fries. Pat dry and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Set up 3 shallow dishes: 1/2 cup of the flour in the first; the eggs whisked with the milk in the second; and the remaining 3/4 cup flour mixed with the crushed panko, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and celery salt in the third.
- Dust each strip in plain flour, dip it in the egg, let the excess drip off, then press it into the seasoned crumb until fully coated. Lay the strips on a rack and rest them for 10 minutes so the coating sets.
- Fry
- Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) in a heavy pot or deep fryer, at least 2 inches deep.
- Fry the chicken fries in batches of 8 to 10 for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and crunchy and 165°F (74°C) in the center of the thickest piece.
- Drain on a rack, sprinkle with a pinch of salt while hot and serve right away with dipping sauces.
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Fryer, Air Fryer or Oven
| Method | Temperature | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep fryer or pot | 350°F (175°C) | 3 to 4 min | Crunchiest, most like the drive-thru |
| Air fryer | 400°F (200°C) | 8 to 10 min | Crisp, less oil; spray well |
| Oven | 425°F (220°C) | 12 to 15 min | Lighter crunch; bake on a rack |
| From frozen (fryer) | 350°F (175°C) | 5 to 6 min | No need to thaw |
Best Dipping Sauces
- Zesty: creamy, with a horseradish kick. Try our copycat Burger King zesty sauce.
- Stacker-style: tangy and smoky; see our Burger King Stacker sauce.
- Classics: barbecue, ranch, honey mustard and buffalo.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes or the oven at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until hot and 165°F (74°C) inside. The microwave makes the breading soft.
More Burger King Copycat Recipes
Make a full drive-thru meal with our Burger King chicken nuggets, onion rings or a copycat Whopper. Browse all of our Burger King copycat recipes. Add our copycat Burger King mozzarella sticks for a cheesy, stretchy side. And for the real-deal potato side, make our copycat Burger King fries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Burger King chicken fries made of?
They're strips of white-meat chicken in a seasoned, peppery breading, cut long and thin like fries. This copycat uses chicken breast, a flour and egg dip, and a coating of crushed panko, flour, black pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, cayenne and celery salt.
Can I make chicken fries in the air fryer?
Yes, and they come out wonderfully crunchy! Spray the coated strips well with oil on all sides and air fry in a single layer at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and 165°F inside. They're a little less crunchy than deep-fried but still crisp.
Can I bake chicken fries?
Yes. Toss the crushed panko with 2 tablespoons oil before mixing it with the seasoned flour, coat the strips, and bake on an oiled rack set over a sheet pan at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until 165°F inside.
What sauce goes with chicken fries?
Barbecue, ranch, honey mustard, buffalo and zesty sauce are all classic. For a creamy, tangy dip, try our copycat Burger King zesty sauce or Stacker sauce.
Can I freeze homemade chicken fries?
Freeze the coated, uncooked strips on a tray until firm, then bag them for up to 3 months. Fry from frozen at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes, or air fry at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, until 165°F inside.
