The King Jr. Meal from Burger King features a crispy chicken nugget or mini cheeseburger paired with golden French fries and a refreshing apple juice, all served in a fun, kid-friendly box for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Fry baskets
- Tongs
- Hot holding station
- Refrigerator/freezer
- Baking sheet or tray (for organizing nuggets/burgers pre-cook)
- Grill or griddle (for mini cheeseburger)
- Spatula
- Portion scoops or fry scoop
- Juice dispenser or refrigerator (for apple juice storage)
- Kid-friendly meal boxes
- Paper boat trays or food wrap
- Gloves (food handling)
Ingredients
- Crispy chicken nuggets:
- Chicken breast
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Eggs
- Milk
- Breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Mini cheeseburger:
- Ground beef
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Mini burger buns
- American cheese slices
- Pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- French fries:
- Russet potatoes
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Salt
- Apple juice:
- Apple juice (100% juice, boxed or bottled)
- Kid-friendly meal box:
- Kid Meal box
Use fresh chicken breast for crispy chicken nuggets to ensure tenderness, and coat them evenly with a blend of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and seasonings like paprika and garlic powder for optimal flavor and crunch. Ground beef for mini cheeseburgers should be freshly ground and seasoned simply with salt and black pepper to maintain a juicy texture. Russet potatoes are ideal for French fries due to their high starch content, which yields a crispy exterior and soft interior when fried in vegetable oil at the right temperature. Store apple juice at a refrigerated temperature to keep it fresh and refreshing for your meal. Your King Jr. Meal copycat menu can recreate this balanced combo by combining crispy chicken nuggets or mini cheeseburgers, golden fries, and apple juice served in a kid-friendly box that appeals to children.
Instructions
- **Instructions Needed:**
- Prepare and portion chicken nuggets.
- Bread the chicken nuggets (dredge in flour/cornstarch/spices, dip in egg/milk, coat with breadcrumbs).
- Preheat the deep fryer and fry baskets.
- Fry chicken nuggets until golden and fully cooked.
- Hold nuggets in a hot holding station.
- Form and season mini burger patties with salt and pepper.
- Preheat grill or griddle.
- Cook burger patties on grill, flipping with a spatula.
- Place American cheese slices on patties and melt.
- Warm mini burger buns on grill.
- Assemble cheeseburger with patty, bun, cheese, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.
- Prepare and portion French fries.
- Preheat deep fryer and fry baskets for fries.
- Fry potatoes until crisp and golden.
- Hold fries in a hot holding station and portion with a fry scoop.
- Pour apple juice from dispenser/refrigerator into serving container.
- Assemble chicken nuggets or cheeseburger, fries, and apple juice into a kid-friendly meal box using paper boat trays or food wrap as needed.
- Serve in kid meal box.
Substitution
The King Jr. Meal copycat menu allows you to recreate a kid-friendly combination of crispy chicken nuggets or mini cheeseburgers, golden French fries, and apple juice. You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based patties for the mini cheeseburgers to accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions. If you lack a deep fryer, oven-baking the nuggets and fries on a baking sheet yields a healthier alternative with similar textures. Store apple juice in a refrigerator or use boxed juice concentrate diluted with water if fresh juice is unavailable. When assembling the meal, gloves and proper utensils help maintain hygiene and food safety.
Tips
Make sure to maintain proper oil temperature in the deep fryer, ideally around 350degF (175degC), to achieve perfectly crispy chicken nuggets and fries without greasy texture. Use gloves and clean utensils to prevent cross-contamination between raw chicken, beef, and cooked items, ensuring food safety for your young customers. Portion fries and nuggets consistently using scoops and trays to guarantee balanced servings in each King Jr. Meal box. Always verify the internal temperature of cooked chicken nuggets (165degF/74degC) and burger patties (160degF/71degC) to meet health standards before assembling your meal.
Nutritions
The King Jr. Meal provides a balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins, making it suitable for growing kids. Chicken nuggets and mini cheeseburgers offer a good source of protein and essential minerals like iron and zinc. French fries contribute carbohydrates and some dietary fiber, while apple juice delivers natural sugars, vitamin C, and hydration. Your child benefits from a meal that combines taste with nutritional elements important for energy and growth.
Storage
To maintain freshness and food safety, store cooked chicken nuggets, mini cheeseburgers, and fries in a hot holding station at temperatures above 140degF until serving. Keep apple juice refrigerated at or below 40degF to preserve its flavor and prevent spoilage. Use food-grade food wrap or paper boat trays to organize and protect components in your kid-friendly meal box before serving.
Variation or Alternatives
You can swap the chicken breast in the crispy nuggets for ground turkey or plant-based chicken alternatives to cater to dietary preferences. Instead of deep frying, try baking the nuggets and fries on a baking sheet at 425degF to reduce oil usage while maintaining crispiness. For the mini cheeseburger, consider adding a slice of tomato or lettuce to increase veggie intake and freshness. Using freshly squeezed apple juice or mixing it with sparkling water offers a fun, fizzy twist to the classic drink in Your kid-friendly meal box.
Allergies
The King Jr. Meal contains common allergens such as eggs and milk found in the crispy chicken nuggets, along with wheat in the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs. The mini cheeseburger includes dairy from American cheese and gluten from the mini burger buns, which may trigger allergic reactions. Your child should be monitored for signs of allergic response, especially if they have known sensitivities to dairy, gluten, eggs, or certain spices like paprika.
Why this recipe?
The King Jr. Meal from Burger King is popular for its balanced combination of a savory main item, crispy fries, and a kid-friendly drink, offering a satisfying, convenient option for young diners. Its portion size and appealing flavors cater specifically to children's tastes while providing nutritional elements parents appreciate. Making a copycat version allows you to control ingredients, ensuring freshness and customization to dietary preferences or allergen concerns. Replicating this meal at home can also enhance family mealtime by providing a fun, cost-effective alternative to fast food.