Homemade Burger King BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Craving that perfect combination of crispy chicken, creamy sauce, and fresh vegetables that only a Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich can deliver? I found myself standing in a drive-thru line one evening when inspiration struck – why not recreate this fast food masterpiece at home? After several test runs in my kitchen, I’ve perfected a recipe that captures all the flavors of the original, but with the satisfaction of homemade quality. Now I can enjoy this iconic sandwich anytime without leaving home, and with this recipe, you can too.

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What Makes the Burger King Royal Chicken Sandwich One of the Best Chicken Sandwiches? 

With the introduction of the Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich, BK changed the chicken sandwich game forever. This sandwich is so seductively simple, consisting of only a batter-dipped chicken cutlet, Royal Sauce, shredded lettuce, and a slice of tomato; you might think it’s bland, but after one bite you’ll know that’s not true.

If you have not tried a Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich, now is your chance to make one at home. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

The Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich stands out in the crowded fast food landscape for good reason. Its deceptively simple combination – a perfectly seasoned, crispy chicken patty, signature Royal Sauce, fresh lettuce, and tomato – creates a flavor profile that’s far greater than the sum of its parts. What makes this homemade version special is the attention to detail in recreating that distinctive Royal Sauce and the accessible pan-frying method that delivers restaurant-quality crispiness without requiring a deep fryer, making it perfect for home cooks of any skill level.

Burger King Royal Chicken Sandwich Ingredients 

For the Royal Sauce:

• Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base that carries all other flavors
• Ketchup – Adds sweetness and tomato tang
• Dijon mustard – Provides subtle heat and depth
• Dill pickle relish – Delivers essential tangy crunch
• Worcestershire sauce – Contributes umami richness
• Garlic powder – Adds aromatic savory notes
• Onion powder – Provides subtle sweetness and depth
• Smoked paprika – Creates distinctive color and smoky flavor
• Salt – Enhances and balances all flavors
• Freshly ground black pepper – Adds mild heat and complexity

Sweet relish is not a suitable substitute for dill relish, but you can finely dice a dill pickle and add that. 

For the Royal Sauce:

• Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base that carries all other flavors
• Ketchup – Adds sweetness and tomato tang
• Dijon mustard – Provides subtle heat and depth
• Dill pickle relish – Delivers essential tangy crunch
• Worcestershire sauce – Contributes umami richness
• Garlic powder – Adds aromatic savory notes
• Onion powder – Provides subtle sweetness and depth
• Smoked paprika – Creates distinctive color and smoky flavor
• Salt – Enhances and balances all flavors
• Freshly ground black pepper – Adds mild heat and complexity

For Assembly:

• Hamburger rolls – Preferably potato buns for authenticity
• Cooked chicken patties – The star of the sandwich
• Royal Sauce – The signature flavor that defines this sandwich
• Lettuce – Adds fresh crunch and texture
• Tomato – Provides juicy freshness and color

Burger King serves Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwiches on a toasted potato bun, but feel free to use your preferred bun. 

Recommendation About Oil to Fry In 

When frying chicken, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point to prevent burning. Grapeseed and canola oils are great options. Peanut oil will give you wonderful results, but avoid it unless you know no one with peanut allergies will be eating the chicken sandwich. 

How to Make a Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich

To prepare the BK Royal Sauce:

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayo, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. 
2. Once fully incorporated, add the remaining BK Royal sauce ingredients except for the salt and pepper. 
3. Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. 
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using. 

To bread the chicken cutlets:

1. Trim any skin or fat remaining on the chicken cutlets and reserve them for later. 
2. Set up the breading station with two shallow bowls (pie tins work great) and a wire rack set on a rimmed baking tray. 
3. In the first bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs. 
4. In the other bowl, use a fork to combine the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. 

5. With one hand, coat both sides of the chicken cutlet in the buttermilk and egg mixture and drop it in the flour mixture. 
6. Use your other hand to dredge both sides of the chicken cutlet in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Place it on the wire rack. 
7. Repeat with the remaining chicken cutlets. 

To fry the chicken cutlets:

1. Place a heavy-bottom skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. 
2. Add about a half-inch of cooking oil to the skillet and wait until it reaches 350°F. Use a thermometer gun to ensure the proper temperature or test with a pinch of flour. The flour will sizzle immediately when the oil is ready.
3. Without overcrowding the skillet, add two or three breaded chicken cutlets to the hot oil. Cook until golden brown on both sides. It should take about four to five minutes per side. 
4. Use a spatula to remove the chicken patties from the oil and place them on the paper towel-lined wire rack. 
5. Repeat with the remaining breaded chicken cutlets. You may need to add more cooking oil. 

To assemble a sandwich:

1. Toast the hamburger buns.
2. While the buns are toasting, slice the tomato and shred the lettuce. 
3. Spread the Royal Sauce on the toasted bottom bun, and place the cooked chicken patty on the sauce. Top with the shredded lettuce and a slice of tomato. 

Burger King BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Recreate the famous Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich at home with perfectly seasoned chicken, signature sauce, and fresh toppings.

4.89 from 9 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Burger King Recipes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 527kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

Chicken Sandwich

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets trimmed to fit the buns
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• vegetable oil for frying
• 4 hamburger buns toasted

Optional Toppings

• 8 lettuce leaves
• 4 tomato slices
• 4 tablespoon homemade BK Royal Sauce, mayonnaise, or your choice of sauce

BK Royal Sauce

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dill relish or finely chopped pickles
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Chicken Sandwich

• In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
• In another shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs.
• Dip each chicken breast into the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, coating it evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit, checking with a cooking thermometer. Once the oil is at the correct temperature, carefully add the chicken cutlets and fry them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
• After frying, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
• Spread BK Royal Sauce or mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun.
• Place the fried chicken on the buns, then top with tomato slices, and lettuce as desired.
• Place the top halves of the buns on the sandwiches and serve immediately.

BK Royal Sauce

• In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Mix until well blended.
• Stir in the relish or chopped pickles and Worcestershire sauce.
• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the spices are well distributed.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.

Nutrition

Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 855mg | Potassium: 1022mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6104IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 5mg

Possible Recipe Variations 

Customizing your own Burger King Royal Chicken Sandwich at home is a great reason to make it yourself. You can easily adjust the recipe to your liking, and there are countless ways to do so. Share your favorite recipe mods in the comments section below.

• Spice things up. Add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture and a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture. 
• Swap out the BK Royal Sauce for a different one. Mustard BBQ sauce works well here, but you can get even more creative using honey mustard, Campfire Sauce, or cheese sauce!
• Bacon makes everything better. A few strips of extra crispy bacon will add a distinct smoky flavor to the chicken sandwich. 

What to Serve With a Royal Chicken Sandwich

Stick with the classic sides available at Burger Kings, like french fries and onion rings, or get more creative with these ideas:

• Fried Pickle Chips. These breaded and deep-fried pickle slices perfectly combine crunch and tang. Try dipping them in extra BK Royal sauce for more flavor. 
• Coleslaw. Choose a basic classic coleslaw or get a little fancy with this delightful sweet and sour coleslaw recipe.
• Your favorite veggies. Cajun Fried Corn, roasted asparagus, and creamed spinach are fantastic options that even the pickiest eaters will love. 

How to Store a Burger King Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Allow the chicken patties to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Cooked patties will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. Keeping the lettuce and tomatoes whole significantly extends their shelf life. Save the Royal Sauce in a separate container in the fridge for up to a week. 

What Is the Best Way to Reheat a Burger King Crispy Chicken Sandwich

The best way to rewarm a chicken patty is in the air fryer. If you don’t have an air fryer, use an oven set to convection:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F or the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the cooked chicken patties directly on the air fryer grates or a baking tray. 
3. Cook the chicken patties until warmed through, about four minutes in the air fryer or six minutes in the oven. Add the hamburger rolls for the last minute of cooking time to warm them. 

More Burger King Copycat Recipes

• Burger King Breakfast Burrito
• Burger King Cheeseburger
• Chicken Fries
• Impossible Whopper
• Whopper

Favorite Fast Food Sandwiches

• Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich
• Chick Fil A Chicken Salad Sandwich
• Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwich
• McCrispy Chicken Sandwich
• Subway Tuna Sandwich
• Taco Bell Sandwich
• Whataburger Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich
• Wingstop Chicken Sandwich

Check out my easy sandwich recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes on CopyKat!