I’ve got the secret to PERFECT ground chicken burgers! This recipe won’t let you down—the patties are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Since re-introducing meat to my diet, I’ve found that chicken is one of my favorite proteins (especially Salsa Chicken for tacos and easy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken!), but ground chicken can be tricky to work with. So when I rolled up my sleeves and set out to create this chicken burger recipe, I knew I had my work cut out for me. After several rounds of testing, I’m happy to say that I’ve figured out exactly how to make chicken burgers that are just as delicious as ones made with beef!
What Makes This Chicken Burger Recipe Work
This chicken burger recipe is tender and juicy, with lots of flavor. Here’s the secret to making the perfect ground chicken patties:
- A blend of white and dark meat. Using a combination of ground chicken breast and thigh meat means the chicken burgers are juicier than using all lean meat.
- Lots of seasonings. Unlike beef, which packs a lot of flavor on its own, chicken really benefits from seasonings. Adding a mix of herbs and spices makes these chicken burgers super tasty.
- Mayonnaise. You might put mayo ON your burgers, but this chicken burger recipe puts mayo IN the patties for added moisture and to keep everything together.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these juicy chicken burgers at home. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Ground chicken – A combination of lean ground chicken breast and dark chicken meat.
- Breadcrumbs – This helps bind the burgers and locks in moisture.
- Light mayonnaise – For moisture and a little bit of richness.
- Seasonings – I use dried parsley, Italian herbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Neutral oil – I like to use avocado oil.
- Buns – Whatever kind you like!
- Toppings – Like tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and more mayo.
How to Make Chicken Burgers
Follow these simple steps for making this ground chicken burger recipe.
- Make the patty mixture. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; using your hands to mix it is the easiest way.
- Shape the patties. Divide the mixture into 4 patties that are about 1/2-inch thick. Press a thumb into the center of each to make an indentation.
- Cook. Heat the oil in a skillet set over medium-high and cook the patties for about 5 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Assemble. Pile the patties onto buns with your favorite toppings.
Tips and Variations
Here are some additional tips and variations to customize this chicken burger recipe.
- Handle the meat gently. When forming the burger patties, avoid overworking the ground chicken to keep them tender and juicy. Compressing the meat too much will result in dense, tough burgers.
- Switch up the seasonings. You can add any herbs and spices you like! And you can also switch up the flavor profile, like adding cumin and chili powder for Tex-Mex chicken burgers.
- Make them gluten-free. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or pulse toasted gluten-free bread to form crumbs.
Serving Suggestions
Go for French fries, Potato Salad, or potato chips for classic pairing options with this chicken burger recipe, or keep it light with a salad tossed in your favorite salad dressing. I also love getting creative with sauces and spreads on my burgers. Try my Chili Lime Tahini Sauce for something different!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Leftover chicken burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: If you want to save your leftovers for longer, you can put them in the freezer. Transfer the patties to a freezer-safe container or bag. You can keep frozen leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- To reheat: Warm your leftovers in a nonstick skillet set over medium heat or in the microwave.
More Burger Recipes
Chicken Burger Recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken patties:
- 0.5 pound ground chicken breasts
- 0.5 pound ground dark chicken meat
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
To serve with:
- 4 burger buns
- 2 tomatoes sliced
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- lettuce for serving (I used 4 large)
- mayonnaise as desired
Instructions
- Combine the patty ingredients: add ground chicken breasts, dark chicken meat, breadcrumbs, light mayonnaise, parsley, Italian herbs, garlic, and paprika powder. Season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
- Shape the patties: shape the chicken mixture into four patties, about ½-inch thick. Using a thumb, make an indent in your patties before cooking.*
- Cook the chicken patties: Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties, and cook for 5 minutes or until they are golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip the patties and cook for another 5 minutes until they are cooked through, and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Spread the desired amount of mayonnaise over the burger bun halves. Add the cooked patty onto the bottom half of the burger bun. Layer tomatoes, lettuce, and onions over the patty, and close the burger with the top bun.
- Serve the burgers warm.
Notes
- I always suggest mixing chicken breasts and dark chicken meat. The dark meat will make your burger patties juicy and add extra flavor. You can buy a mix of white and dark chicken meat in stores, or you can ask your butcher to grind thighs and legs for you if dark meat is not an option.
- Making an indent in your patty (with your thumb) will prevent it from shrinking during cooking.
- The burgers can be served with plain mayonnaise, but for extra flavor, you can combine your mayonnaise with mustard, ketchup, smoked paprika, and pickle juice until you have a nice and smooth sauce.
Nutrition
