Chicken Burger

Why These Are the Chicken Burgers You Need in Your Life

With their smoky flavor and a tender, juicy texture, these BBQ chicken burgers are the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation!

• So much flavor. Ground chicken really needs some pizzazz, so I amp up the flavor with plenty of spices and smoky BBQ sauce. The result is a burger that’s anything but bland!
• Lighter than beef burgers. While I love a good beef burger (hello, Juicy Air Fryer Burgers!), sometimes I’m in the mood for something that’s not quite as heavy and rich. Ground chicken burgers are perfect for those days!
• Tender and juicy. Ground chicken can sometimes get a bad rap for being dry, but with a few key additions to the patties, they will turn out juicy and moist every time. Promise!

What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect chicken burger! Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Chicken Burger Patty:

• Ground chicken – You can use ground chicken breast, thighs, or a mixture of both. Dark ground chicken meat will give you juicier burgers.
• Mayonnaise – Adds moisture and helps bind the burger patties.
• Dijon mustard – Provides tangy flavor to make everything pop.
• Yellow onion and garlic – Chop these finely or even grate them—big crunchy chunks of garlic and onion aren’t the vibe you want in your burger patty!
• Gluten-free panko – Regular breadcrumbs can be used if you’re not gluten-free.  
• Seasonings – Salt, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. 
• Olive oil – For cooking the burgers. You can swap in avocado oil if you’d like.

Burgers:

• Butter – For tasty toasted buns!
• Brioche buns – Or another bun you like to use for burgers.
• Avocado – For creamy richness without the cheese.
• Lettuce and tomatoes – Two burger faves!
• BBQ Sauce – I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ, but other BBQ sauces work too. Or try homemade: my Epic Sweet & Smoky Homemade BBQ Sauce and Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce are two of my go-to recipes!

How to Make Chicken Burgers

Follow these steps to create the most flavorful, juicy chicken burgers you’ve ever had!

• Make the patty mixture. Add all of the patty ingredients to a large bowl and mix with your hands. 
• Form patties. Divide the ground chicken mixture into 6 portions and shape into patties.

• Cook the chicken burgers. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the olive oil and once it’s shimmering, carefully lower in the patties. (You’ll probably need to cook them in batches!) Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• Toast the buns. Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them in another skillet set over medium heat, placing the buttered side down. Get them nice and toasty!
• Assemble. Spread the mashed avocado onto the bottom bun, then add the chicken burger patties and toppings. 

Tips and Variations

Here are some additional tips and variations for these chicken burgers.

• Don’t over-work the ground chicken. Overworking the meat can result in a tough, dense burger. Handle it gently and form the patties with just enough pressure to hold their shape.
• Mix up the seasonings. Feel free to experiment with your own blend of herbs and spices in the patties. They’re a little more flexible than beef burgers in terms of flavors that will work with them—chicken is kind of a blank slate!
• Cut the carbs. Swap out the brioche buns for butter lettuce, or serve the burgers over a bed of greens.

Serving Suggestions

You can’t go wrong with a burger and fries! Serve your chicken burger with Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries. A salad on the side, like Creamy Potato Salad with Bacon or Summer Fruit Salad would also be delicious.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store any leftover chicken burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Wrap each burger individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw before reheating.
• To reheat: Warm the patties in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or heat them in the microwave.

More Burger Recipes

• Portobello Burgers
• Grilled Lamb Burgers
• Southwestern Turkey Burgers
• The Best Grilled Salmon Burgers