Go Back
Print Recipe

Crispy Chicken Burgers with Buffalo and Ranch

This Crispy Chicken Burgers combine juicy fried chicken thighs with a crunchy homemade coating, bold homemade buffalo sauce, and creamy ranch dressing. Served in a toasted burger bun with fresh lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes, these easy homemade burgers deliver the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, crispy, and creamy flavours.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients

For Marinated Chicken:

  • 500 g Boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 to 1 ¼ cups Milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs or oregano
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp White pepper
  • Salt (to taste)

For Flour Coating:

  • 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp White pepper

For Buffalo Sauce:

  • 4 Long red chili peppers
  • 2 tbsp Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Soy sauce
  • Water (as needed)
  • 4 tbsp Butter
  • 1 ½ tsp Garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar
  • Salt (to taste)

For Ranch Sauce:

  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Sour cream or yogurt
  • ½ tsp Garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Dried dill
  • ½ tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp Vinegar or lemon juice
  • Salt (to taste)

For Assembly:

  • Burger buns
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Cheese slices
  • Tomato slices

Instructions

  • Start by preparing the buttermilk marinade by combining milk and vinegar in a large bowl. Allow it to sit for a few minutes until slightly thickened and curdled. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian herbs or oregano, black pepper, white pepper, and salt, then mix well.
    Add the boneless chicken thighs to the marinade and coat each piece thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, although overnight marination will give the chicken even more flavour and tenderness.
  • While the chicken marinates, prepare the buffalo sauce. Add the long red chili peppers, vinegar, soy sauce, and a little water to a blender and blend until smooth.
    Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the blended chili mixture, garlic powder, brown sugar, and salt. Cook while stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly and develops a rich, glossy texture. Adjust the consistency with a splash of water if needed, then set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and white pepper. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
    Coat each chicken thigh piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour, then dip it back into the buttermilk marinade for extra crunch. Coat it again in the flour mixture, pressing gently to create a thick, crispy coating.
  • Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat until hot. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the oil and fry until golden brown, crispy, and fully cooked through.
    Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which helps maintain the oil temperature and creates a crispier coating. Once cooked, transfer the chicken onto a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
  • In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, garlic powder, dried dill, black pepper, vinegar or lemon juice, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.
    Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Refrigerate until ready to assemble the burgers.
  • While the crispy chicken is still warm, generously coat each piece with the prepared buffalo sauce. Toss gently until the chicken is evenly covered with the spicy, buttery glaze while keeping the crispy coating intact.
  • Toast the burger buns lightly until warm and golden. Spread a layer of ranch sauce on the bun, then add fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and a cheese slice.
    Place the crispy buffalo chicken on top, drizzle with extra ranch sauce, and finish with the top bun. For an extra indulgent burger, add another chicken piece to create a double-stack version.
  • Serve the burgers immediately while the chicken is hot, crispy, and coated in buffalo sauce. Pair them with fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a fresh salad for a complete homemade meal.