Chicken McGriddle – Easy McDonald’s Copycat

This homemade McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles recipe gives you that crispy chicken-meets-syrupy-pancake combo, without leaving the house. It’s sweet, savory, and weirdly addictive — plus, it’s cheaper than drive-thru breakfast and kind of fun to make (messy, but fun).

Jump to Recipe

Quick Summary

• Prep time: 30 mins
• Cook time: 30 mins
• Flavor: crispy, sweet, buttery
• Great for: brunch, hangovers, lazy weekend wins

Why I Like This Recipe

I wasn’t planning on frying chicken at 9am. But I saw a video of a McGriddle and something in me snapped. I had pancake mix, some chicken in the freezer, and a half bottle of syrup just sitting there. The syrup glass thing seemed ridiculous… and it was. But worth it. I’ve made these three times since. Once for dinner. No regrets.

Ingredients

McGriddles

• 2 cups Krusteaz pancake mix
• 1⅓ cups whole milk
• 1–2 tsp vanilla extract
• Butter (for pan)
• 1 cup pancake syrup (Mrs. Butterworth’s works)
• Optional: American cheese slices

McChicken

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp seasoning salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 chicken breasts (cut + pounded into ~3″ pieces)
• 1 egg + splash of water
• Oil for frying

How To Make Chicken McGriddle

1. Make the syrup glass: Pour syrup into a saucepan with a candy thermometer. Heat till it hits 265°F — about 10 mins. Pour onto parchment in a small pan. Let cool fully. Break into tiny pieces, like maple glass candy.
2. Fry the chicken: Heat oil (about 375°F). Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. Beat egg and water in another. Dredge chicken: flour → egg → flour again. Fry 6–7 mins, then rest, then flash-fry again for crisp. Keep warm in a low oven if needed.
3. Make the McGriddles: Mix pancake batter. Lightly butter a pan. Place a 3″ metal ring down, pour a spoonful of batter in. Drop a few shards of syrup glass in, then more batter on top. Cook until bubbly, flip, cook the other side.
4. Assemble: Chicken between two McGriddles. Cheese if you want it melty. Eat while warm.

Tips for Success

• Use a thermometer for both syrup + oil — it matters
• Make the syrup glass ahead to avoid stress
• Don’t skip the double fry — it’s what makes it crisp
• Let the batter sit 5 mins to thicken before cooking
• If you don’t have a ring mold, freestyle — just aim for small circles

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store components separately. Keep pancakes + chicken covered. Lasts ~3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze fully assembled sandwiches (wrap in foil). Microwave or reheat in oven at 325°F.
• Microwave: About 60 seconds if thawed. Still good, just not as crisp.
• Oven: Wrap in foil and bake at 325°F for 12–15 mins. Add a slice of cheese during the last minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to make the syrup glass?
  Not really. You could just drizzle syrup on top. But it won’t be the same.
• What’s the best oil for frying?
  Canola or vegetable. Just something neutral and hot.
• Can I bake the chicken instead?
  You can, but don’t. It won’t be crispy. Use an air fryer if anything.
• Can I use regular pancake mix?
  Yep, any mix works — just follow the back-of-box instructions for batter.
• What if I don’t have a round mold?
  Scoop small amounts and shape with a spoon. Won’t be perfect, but still tasty.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Not letting the syrup cool: If it’s too hot when you break it, it’ll stick to everything. Let it fully harden — freezer helps.
• Oil too cold or hot: Too cold = greasy. Too hot = burnt. Keep it around 375°F. Thermometer is your friend.
• Using too much batter: These aren’t regular pancakes. You want ‘em thin-ish or the sandwich gets too doughy.
• Skipping seasoning in the flour: It matters. Otherwise you get bland chicken inside sweet pancakes. Nah.
• Stacking everything while hot: Let components rest so they hold together better — otherwise you get soggy-bottomed sadness.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 611 kcal
• Total Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 815mg
• Potassium: 372mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 58g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 19g
• Protein: 23g

You Might Also Like:

• Chicken Breakfast Hash – Easy McDonald’s Copycat
• Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Easy McDonald’s Copycat
• Spicy McChicken Sandwich – Easy McDonald’s Copycat
• Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich – Easy McDonald’s Copycat