Crispy, spicy, sweet perfection
This Thai fried chicken burger is everything you love about bold Thai flavors wrapped into one irresistible sandwich. Extra-crispy fried chicken is coated in a light, crunchy batter, then drizzled with a sweet-and-spicy Thai-style sauce that hits all the right notes—salty, tangy, and just a little fiery. It’s the perfect upgrade from a classic chicken burger and comes together faster than you’d expect, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or weekend indulgence. Finished with crunchy slaw and a soft bun, this burger delivers restaurant-level flavor with simple, approachable steps at home.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 burgers
📝 Ingredients List
Fried Chicken
- 4 boneless chicken thighs (or breasts, pounded evenly)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Crispy Coating
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Thai Sweet & Spicy Sauce
- ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½–1 teaspoon sriracha (to taste)
Slaw & Assembly
- 4 brioche burger buns
- 1½ cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet
- Tongs
- Wire rack or paper towels
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Knife & cutting board
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Mix buttermilk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add chicken and marinate 15 minutes (or up to overnight) 🌟
- Prepare coating: In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, and baking powder.
- Heat oil: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Oil should shimmer but not smoke 🔥
- Coat & fry: Dredge chicken in flour mix, press to coat well. Fry 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Make sauce: Stir all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until glossy and smooth.
- Mix slaw: Toss cabbage with mayo and lime juice until lightly coated.
- Assemble burgers: Toast buns lightly. Add fried chicken, drizzle with sauce, top with slaw and cilantro 😋
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra crunch: Double-dip chicken—back into buttermilk, then flour again.
- Heat control: Adjust sriracha for mild to fiery spice levels.
- Air-fryer option: Air fry breaded chicken at 400°F for 14–16 minutes, flipping once.
- Make ahead: Sauce can be prepared 3 days in advance and refrigerated.