Try these crispy air fryer chicken burgers once and they'll quickly become one of your go-to meals. Coat chicken thighs with lots of yummy herbs and spices and super crispy panko breadcrumbs, and air fry (pan fry if you prefer). Sandwich with a few toppings in a fresh brioche bun and they're done. It's an unbelievably tasty and easy 30-minute meal!
Fold out each chicken thigh so it's mostly flat. Grind over plenty of salt and pepper.
salt and pepper
Press each chicken thigh first in the flour, then in the egg, then in the crumbs. Use one hand to dip in the flour and egg, and the other hand to press into the crumbs.
⅓ cup flour, 1 large egg
Air frying the chicken
Preheat the air fryer to 390F/200C for 3 minutes. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Put the chicken in the air fryer basket (it's OK if it overlaps slightly) and spray the chicken lightly with oil.
Air fry for 8 minutes. Turn the chicken over and spray lightly with oil again. Air fry for another 7 minutes. At this point the chicken might be golden and crispy, or it might need another 5 minutes (it depends on your particular air fryer). In my air fryer I usually cook for another 5 minutes (so 20 minutes in total).
Pan frying the chicken (alternative to air frying)
Heat up about 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large frying pan. When the oil is quite hot, add the chicken.
Let cook for about 5 minutes without moving the chicken. Turn chicken over and turn down the heat to medium. Cook for about another 10 minutes or until golden and crispy on both sides.
Assembling the burger
Lightly toast the burger buns.
4 brioche buns
Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on each burger half (top and bottom).
8 tablespoons mayonnaise
Put one crispy chicken thigh on top of each burger bottom.
Top each chicken thigh with a handful of green salad and a sundried tomato. Put the tops on the buns and serve immediately.
4 small handfuls mixed salad, 4 sundried tomatoes
Video
Notes
Breading the chicken: I usually use disposable kitchen gloves for this part, as it can be a bit messy. Use one hand to dip the chicken in the flour and egg, and the other hand to press it into the spiced crumbs. I usually spoon the crumbs over the chicken so that it's well covered, turn it over, and repeat. Before air frying: Remember to spray both sides of the chicken lightly with oil before air frying, so that they get nice and crispy.Making ahead: Crumb the chicken ahead if you like. Cover with plastic wrap/cling film and store in the fridge until ready to cook dinner.To freeze, just store in sealed containers between layers of baking paper. Let defrost in the fridge, then spray lightly with oil on both sides before cooking as from fresh. For best results use within 1 to 3 months.Leftovers reheat really well in an air fryer! Reheat at 160C/320F for about 6 minutes. You'll have nice and crispy chicken thighs again!Nutritional info: Please note that the nutritional info depends a lot on the size of the chicken thighs used and also the size of the brioche buns. I use small(ish) ones so the calorie content may be lower than what's shown here. If pan frying: I recommend putting a wire splatter cover over the top of the frying pan to prevent oil splashing everywhere!