✔ Published · new copycat recipe with air fryer and freezer options
This copycat Burger King Chicken Jr. is a small, crispy breaded chicken patty with creamy mayo and shredded lettuce on a soft bun. Simple, budget-friendly, kid-approved, and ready in 40 minutes!
What Is a Burger King Chicken Jr.? (Quick Answer)
A Chicken Jr. is a small, budget-friendly sandwich: a breaded chicken patty with mayo and shredded lettuce on a bun. To make a copycat, season 1 pound of ground chicken, press it into 6 thin patties, bread them in flour, egg and fine crumbs, fry at 350°F (175°C) until 165°F (74°C) inside, and serve on soft buns with mayo and lettuce.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Chill the thin patties for 15 minutes before breading. Soft ground chicken is sticky and tears easily, but cold, firm patties take a neat, even crumb coat and hold their shape in the pan. Easy win!
Why You'll Love This Chicken Jr. Copycat
- Kid-approved: mild, crispy and simple.
- Budget-friendly: one pound of ground chicken makes 6 sandwiches.
- Shallow-fried in a skillet, no deep fryer needed.
- Freezer-friendly patties for quick weeknight dinners.
- Air fryer option for a lighter version.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Ground chicken: gives the smooth, uniform patty of a fast-food chicken sandwich. Ground turkey works too, cooked to 165°F (74°C).
- Celery salt and onion powder: the subtle savory seasoning you taste in classic chicken patties.
- Fine breadcrumbs: make a thin, even, crunchy coating. Panko gives a craggier crust.
- Mayonnaise and iceberg lettuce: the simple, classic toppings.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Keep the patties thin. At about 1/4 inch they cook through in 4 to 5 minutes, before the breading gets too dark.
- Wet your hands. My favorite trick here. Ground chicken is sticky stuff; a little cold water on your hands makes shaping a breeze.
- Check the center. Ground chicken must reach 165°F (74°C). An instant-read thermometer slid in from the side works best for thin patties.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet. Two or three patties at a time keeps the oil hot and the crust crisp.
- Shred the lettuce finely. I use a sharp knife, not a grater. Thin shreds give that classic drive-thru texture and actually stay in the sandwich.
Copycat Burger King Chicken Jr.
6
sandwiches20
minutes15
minutes420
kcal40
minutesA copycat-style Chicken Jr.: seasoned ground chicken shaped into 6 thin round patties, coated in flour, egg and fine breadcrumbs, fried at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and 165°F inside, then served on soft buns with mayonnaise and shredded lettuce. Makes 6 sandwiches.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Patties
1 pound ground chicken
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- For the Breading
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
1 1/4 cups fine dry breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
- To Assemble
6 soft hamburger buns or sesame seed buns
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
Directions
- Shape the Patties
- Mix the ground chicken with the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and celery salt just until combined. Wet your hands and divide it into 6 portions.
- Press each portion between parchment into a thin round patty about 4 1/2 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick. Freeze the patties on a tray for 15 minutes so they are easier to bread.
- Bread and Fry
- Set up 3 shallow dishes: the flour, the beaten eggs, and the breadcrumbs mixed with the paprika and salt. Coat each patty in flour, dip it in egg and press it into the crumbs on both sides.
- Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry 2 or 3 patties at a time for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side, until golden brown and 165°F (74°C) in the center.
- Drain on a wire rack and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Assemble
- Toast the buns lightly if you like. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on each top bun, put a hot patty on the bottom bun, add a small handful of shredded lettuce and close. Serve warm.
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Skillet, Air Fryer or Oven
| Method | Temperature | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shallow fry | 350°F (175°C) oil | 2 to 2 1/2 min per side | Crispiest; to 165°F (74°C) |
| Air fryer | 380°F (195°C) | 10 to 12 min | Spray with oil, flip halfway |
| Oven | 425°F (220°C) | 15 to 18 min | Oiled rack over a sheet pan, flip once |
| From frozen (air fryer) | 380°F (195°C) | 14 to 16 min | No need to thaw |
More Burger King Copycat Recipes
For a bigger sandwich, try our copycat Burger King Original Chicken Sandwich with its long patty and lemony sauce, or the spicy crispy chicken sandwich. Kids also love Burger King chicken nuggets and onion rings.
Browse all our Burger King copycat recipes for the full menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on a Burger King Chicken Jr.?
It is a small breaded chicken patty with mayonnaise and shredded lettuce on a bun. This copycat recipe makes the same simple combination at home.
Can I use chicken breast instead of ground chicken?
Yes. Pulse 1 pound of boneless chicken breast in a food processor until finely ground, or slice breasts into thin cutlets and trim them into rounds. Cook to 165°F (74°C).
Can I make Chicken Jr. patties in the air fryer?
Yes. Spray the breaded patties with oil and air fry at 380°F (195°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 165°F (74°C) inside.
How do I freeze the patties?
Freeze breaded, uncooked patties on a tray until solid, then stack them with parchment in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Fry from frozen for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or air fry for 14 to 16 minutes, until 165°F (74°C).
How is it different from the Original Chicken Sandwich?
The Chicken Jr. is a small round patty on a regular bun, while the Original Chicken Sandwich has a long patty on a sub-style sesame bun. Our Original Chicken Sandwich copycat also uses a lemony homemade sauce.
How long do leftovers keep?
Refrigerate cooked patties within 2 hours for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a 400°F (200°C) oven or air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes until 165°F (74°C), then add fresh lettuce and mayo.
