Texas is known for its fried chicken and spice, which is what makes this Southern fried chicken burgers with slaw absolutely divine!

MAKES 4 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 30 min

INGREDIENTS
For the fried chicken
2 cups buttermilk
2 tbsp Cajun spice
4 chicken breasts
2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
Vegetable oil to fry
For the slaw
½ green cabbage, thinly sliced
3 spring onions, thinly sliced
3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
½ bulb fennel, thinly sliced
2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
2 tbsp mayonnaise
Zest and juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp roughly chopped coriander
2 tsp red-wine vinegar
To assemble
4 burger buns, halved and toasted

METHOD
For the fried chicken
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with foil.
2. Mix together the buttermilk and Cajun spice. Add the chicken, turning to ensure it is coated well and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour.
3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl to make dry coating.
4. Dip marinated chicken into the dry coating, then into leftover marinade, and then into the dry coating again.
5. Heat enough vegetable oil in a pan to shallow fry. Cook each chicken breast for 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the prepared baking tray and bake for 10 minutes.
For the slaw
1. Combine all the ingredients and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before assembling your burgers.
To assemble
1. Top each burger bun with a piece of fried chicken, followed by a generous heap of slaw. Sandwich closed.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Samantha Pinto // HMimages.co.za