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Why I Love This Chicken Burger Recipe
Chicken burgers are one of my favorite ways to keep grilling simple, flavorful, and just a little lighter. While I always appreciate a classic beef burger, this chicken burger recipe has become a go-to, especially during grilling season when quick meals and backyard cookouts are in full swing.
What makes these chicken burgers so good is that they’re easy to prepare, lean without being dry, and packed with flavor. I love that they rely on pantry staples like panko bread crumbs and grated onion, so there are no special grocery trips needed. And for me out here on a farm in Iowa, that’s so nice!
Here are just a few reasons to love a chicken burger:
- Doesn’t feel heavy – great for warmer weather when you want something a little fresher.
- Leaner but still satisfying – great when you want something lighter but still hearty.
- Soaks up flavor – chicken really takes on seasoning and sauces, which makes it more versatile.
- Quick to cook – perfect for weeknight meals or last-minute grilling.
- Pairs well with bold sauces – like a smoky mayo, herb aioli, or tangy yogurt spread.
The real secret is to chill the patties before grilling. It helps them firm up and makes for a better texture on the grill.
You can top them in any way you want. I love mine with lettuce, tomato, melted cheese, and a generous dollop of burger sauce. But these are totally adaptable, and a complete blank canvas for whatever toppings you want.
Chicken Burger Ingredients
Pantry staple ingredients come together for this easy weeknight grill meal:
- Ground chicken – A lean and mild base for building flavor, packing powerful protein into the dish.
- Grated onion – Melts into the patty and adds savory depth without making the patty bulky.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Soak up moisture and keep the burger juicy without falling apart.
- Egg yolk – Adds fat and richness to the mixture, helping bind all the ingredients together.
- Worcestershire sauce – Boosts the umami and meatiness in the background, creating a layered dish.
- Garlic powder – Adds a mild yet sharp flavor to the meat.
- Italian seasoning – Brings a variety of herbal notes to emphasize the notes in the dish.
- Kosher salt and black pepper – Season the dish, bringing out the other flavors.
- Lettuce, tomato, and sliced cheese – The perfect toppings. adds a fresh and crunchy element to the final result.
- Burger sauce – Homemade and a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet to boost flavor. Before you make this recipe, make sure to get the burger sauce recipe.
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Burgers
There are four steps to making these chicken burgers:
Step 1: Create the mixture. Grab a bowl and add the ground chicken. Grate in the onion, then toss in the breadcrumbs, egg yolk, Worcestershire, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together until evenly combined.
Step 2: Form the patties. Form the mixture into 6-8 patties, depending on the size and number of burgers desired (use a scale if you’re feeling precise). Place them on a tray and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps them stay together on the grill.
Step 3: Grill the burgers. Heat a grill or grill pan with a little oil. Cook the patties over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until they’re browned and cooked through.
Step 4: Assemble. Layer lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a juicy patty on a toasted bun. Add a generous spoonful of burger sauce, then dig in while it’s hot.
Pro Tips
- Watch the moisture. When you grate the onion, try not to add all the excess liquid from it. Too much moisture can make the patties soggy and hard to grill.
- Make a divot. Use your thumb to gently press a small indent in the center of each patty. This helps prevent them from puffing up or shrinking too much on the grill.
- Chill the patties before grilling them. Let the patties rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps them firm up and hold their shape on the grill.
- Shape the patties with a biscuit cutter. Use a round cutter to get evenly sized patties. Press the mixture into the cutter with wet fingers. Dipping them in water keeps the meat from sticking and makes shaping way easier.
Follow These Tips
Serving & Storage
To serve – Assemble with classic burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, and cheese. A homemade burger sauce is the perfect addition as well, but BBQ sauce, ketchup, and honey mustard would work too!
Serve with a side salad or creamy pasta salad (my favorite!) for a full summertime meal.
To store – Place the cooked burgers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze these, they should be wrapped tightly (either cooked or uncooked) and frozen for up to two months (don’t forget to label them!). To reheat any leftovers, use a skillet to warm them through over medium heat, or pop them in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes. The microwave works too, but the patties may be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
These can also be made inside on a skillet (no grill marks) or grill pan. In the video for this recipe, I actually made them on an indoor grill pan (see the process shots above), which works wonderfully, especially if the weather outdoors is less than ideal.
Of course! Just know that the burgers may be less moist as they tend to be leaner. I actually have a turkey burger recipe if you’re interested in making those instead!
This recipe makes 6-8 patties, but you can make more, especially if you want to make slider sizes. I wouldn’t recommend making fewer than 6 patties because of cooking time and thickness.
Yes! Just shape, layer with parchment paper, and freeze in a sealed container. Make sure to thaw the patties in the fridge before grilling.
Recipes to Serve with These Burgers
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
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Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground chicken (93% lean)
- ½ medium onion grated on a box grater
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
For serving
- 8 buns
- 8 slices cheese
- burger sauce
- lettuce
- tomato
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Mix the burgers. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion, salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix together until everything is well combined.2 lb ground chicken (93% lean), ½ medium onion, 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 large egg yolk, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Form the mixture into 8 even balls, placing each one on the prepared parchment paper. Press the balls into a patty about ½-inch thick. Set in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
- Cook the burgers. Preheat the grill on medium-high for 15 minutes. Alternatively, preheat a grill pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Brush with neutral oil. Grill the patties until browned with the internal temperature reaching 165°F, 4-5 minutes per side. If melted cheese is desired, place a slice of cheese on each patty during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
- Assemble. Place a burger on each bun and top with desired toppings: cheese, lettuce, tomato, and burger sauce.8 buns, 8 slices cheese, lettuce, tomato, burger sauce
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
i love this! im writing this in french for a project!
I’ve made these twice this week, once for me and once for someone else. Both times I followed the recipe completely plus made the burger sauce, they were excellent. I did grill them and put a small amount of olive oil on them so they wouldn’t stick.
Great sandwich! Put guacamole, bacon and tomato on the sandwich. Will definitely make it again!