When you hear the word zinger, an image that probably comes to your mind is a Colonel with glasses wearing a red apron with white stripes and a black bow. In case you haven’t figured it out, we are talking about KFC! The fast food franchise is a sensation all over the world and there are burgers are to die for. All the restaurants give a sneak peek into the ingredients that crunchy chicken patty is made but never reveals the name. If you have been hankering for a zinger burger, we have got you covered! This burger is pretty easy to make because it does not require many ingredients. Its entire taste is dependent on the patty so, if you get that right, you won’t ever feel the need to buy a zinger burger from a restaurant again.
A zinger burger can be made multiple ways. Two of the most common ones include using a chicken breast as a whole and creating a patty with ground chicken meat. The former is a more popular method than the latter and is an easier option because you don’t have to spend much time on marinating the meat. Whether you choose to go with the flattened chicken breast or the minced meat, you will get a perfect crunch in the end if you follow the instructions carefully. A few of the ingredients are a must, so we suggest that you don’t replace them.
With that said, let’s move onto the recipes:
Zinger Burger with Buttermilk
Crunchy, crispy and seasoned perfectly with BIG flavors ― these words describe a zinger burger to a T. One of the best things about this burger is that apart from patty, you can give it a gourmet touch with tangy coleslaw, cheese or a special sauce.
However, we recommend that you keep it simple so that the crunch does not turn soggy. Remember, the star of the show is the crispy chicken. It needs to be tender and juicy, which you can achieve by marinating it in buttermilk. Don’t forget to pound the breast before marinating so that it gets an even crisp.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Buttermilk Marinade
- Buttermilk: 1 Cup
- Sweet Paprika: 1 Teaspoon
- Celery Salt: 1 Teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: ½ Teaspoon
- White Pepper: ½ Teaspoon
- Chili Powder: ½ Teaspoon
Chicken Coating
- Self Raising Flour: ¾ Cup
- Cornflour: ¼ Cups
- Salt: ½ Tablespoon
- Dried Thyme: ¼ Tablespoon
- Dried Basil: ¼ Tablespoon
- Dried Oregano: ¼ Tablespoon
- Celery Salt: ½ Tablespoon
- Ground Black Pepper: ½ Tablespoon
- Mustard Powder: ½ Tablespoon
- Sweet Paprika: 2 Tablespoons
- Garlic Powder: 1 Tablespoon
- Ground Ginger: ½ Tablespoon
- White Pepper: 1 ½ Tablespoon
- Ground Sage: ¼ Tablespoon
- Chili Powder: ½ Tablespoon
- Onion Powder: 1 Tablespoon
Coleslaw
- Purple Cabbage: ¼ (Shredded)
- Carrot: 1 (Grated)
- Coleslaw Dressing: 1/3 Cup
Extras
- Vegetable Oil for Frying
- Brioche Buns: 5
- Mayonnaise
- Iceberg: 1 Cup (Shredded)
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- Slit the chicken breast sideways and pat it dry using a paper towel
- Use a mallet to flatten the chicken breast to 1cm thickens
- In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, celery salt, paprika, buttermilk, chili and white pepper. Rub this on the chicken until it is completely coated. Cover it with a Clingfilm and refrigerate for 4 hours
Make the Coleslaw
- In a bowl, mix coleslaw dressing, carrot and cabbage
- Cover and refrigerate
Make the Chicken
- Add all the coating ingredients for the chicken in a bowl and cover the chicken with it
- In a frying pan, add oil and heat it until the temperature reaches 180°C
- Place the chicken in the frying pan and cook for 4 minutes on each side
- Place the chicken on a rack and let it rest for 2 minutes
Assemble the Burger
- Toast your brioche bun slightly
- Place the coleslaw and lettuce on one side of the bun
- Place the chicken fillet on top and squirt on a little bit of mayo
- Add a slice of cheese if you like and top it with the other side of the bun
Serve with fries.
Zinger Patty Burger
As the name says, a zinger patty burger is made with ground chicken. Most of the spices are added into the meat to give the patty a burst of flavor. This burger is easy to make and assemble because you don’t have to add many things to it.
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes
Servings: 5
Ingredients
- White Meat Chicken: 1 Pound
- Fresh Bread Crumbs: 2 Cups
- Low-Fat Milk: ½ Cup
- Sweet Onion: 3 Tablespoons (Finely Chopped)
- Cayenne Pepper: ¼ Teaspoon
- Salt: ¾ Teaspoon
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Mayonnaise
- Shredded Iceberg
- Cheese Slice
- Olive Oil: 1 Teaspoon
Instructions
Prepare the Meat
If you have bought ground chicken from the butcher, all you need to do is add fresh bread crumbs to it and let it sit for a while.
Make the Patties
In a bowl, add the minced chicken. Fold in the low-fat milk more bread crumbs, salt and pepper, cayenne and onion. Form the patties and refrigerate.
Coat the Patties
Spread bread crumbs in a plate and cover your patties with it. Make sure the crumbs are evenly spread or the meat will be extra crispy in some placed.
Fry the Patties
In a frying pan, add olive oil and place your patties. Cook for 5 minutes on each side.
Assemble the Burger
Toast your brioche buns in a pan and spread a tablespoon of mayo on it. Top it with the shredded iceberg and then place the chicken patty. Cover the meat with a cheese slice and place the top bun.
Final Thoughts
As you read, making a zinger burger is not that hard, depending on what type of patty you prefer. If you are in the mood for something fulfilling and a mouthful, we suggest that you pick the first option. On a hot summer day, sitting in your backyard and munching on a zinger burger with a tall glass of peach ice tea will be worth the hours slaving in the kitchen to make this amazing food.
