I’ll be honest—there’s nothing quite like a good, crispy chicken burger. But if you’ve ever struggled with gluten-free breading that either crumbles or turns soggy, I hear you. I went through plenty of disappointing trials before cracking the code.
And let me tell you, this recipe? It’s a game-changer.
Perfectly crunchy on the outside, juicy and spicy on the inside, this burger delivers all the satisfaction of your favorite fried chicken sandwich—minus the gluten. And the best part? You don’t need fancy ingredients.
Just fresh, locally sourced chicken, a simple homemade spice mix, and a crispy coating that actually stays put.
Let’s make the best spicy crispy chicken burger you’ve ever had!
Tips & Substitutions:
- Want it even crispier? Double-dip by dredging the chicken in buttermilk again before re-coating in the flour mix.
- Baking option: Place breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet, spray with oil, and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air fryer option: Spray both sides with oil and air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping once.
- No buttermilk? Use plain yogurt thinned with a little milk.
- Low-carb? Swap out the buns for lettuce wraps!
Serving Suggestions & Presentation
- Serve with sweet potato fries or a light coleslaw for contrast.
- A side of homemade pickles makes the spice pop even more.
- Feeling bold? Drizzle extra spicy mayo over the top before serving.
Crispy Spicy Chicken Burgers (Gluten-Free)
These spicy, crispy chicken burgers are 100% gluten-free and packed with flavor. Crunchy outside, juicy inside, and topped with a spicy mayo—this is the perfect weeknight dinner or weekend indulgence.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise to make 4 thin fillets)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or your favorite)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Crispy Coating:
- 1 cup gluten-free flour blend (I like King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill)
- ½ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs (adds extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (makes it extra crispy)
For Frying:
- 1½ cups avocado oil or high-heat oil (vegetable or peanut oil work too)
For the Spicy Mayo:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey (balances the heat)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
For Assembling:
- 4 gluten-free burger buns (toasted)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 4 slices tomato
- 4 pickle slices (optional, but highly recommended!)
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken fillets, making sure they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for extra tenderness).
Step 2: Prepare the Breading
- In a shallow dish, mix gluten-free flour, panko, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and baking powder.
- Remove chicken from marinade (letting excess drip off) and coat each piece evenly in the flour mixture. Press the breading onto the chicken to help it stick.
- Set aside on a wire rack while you heat the oil.
Step 3: Fry to Crispy Perfection
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (hot enough to sizzle a breadcrumb instantly).
- Carefully place chicken fillets in the hot oil and fry for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Internal temp should hit 165°F.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Make the Spicy Mayo
- Stir together mayonnaise, hot sauce, honey, smoked paprika, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Taste and adjust heat as needed.
Step 5: Assemble the Burgers
- Toast gluten-free buns in a dry skillet or under a broiler.
- Spread spicy mayo on both halves of each bun.
- Layer with shredded lettuce, crispy chicken, tomato slices, and pickles.
- Top with the other half of the bun and get ready to bite into something amazing.
Notes
Can be fried, baked, or air-fried. Marinate longer for juicier chicken.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes (including marinating)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying (with baking & air-fryer options)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
