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This ground chicken burgers recipe is unlike any other I’ve ever tasted! Inspired by my honey garlic spiced chicken meatballs, these burgers are tender, juicy, and infused with warm, savory, herbaceous flavors with just a little heat.
Quick, easy, and out-of-this-world delicious, these burgers are gluten-free, dairy-free, and ready in less than 30 minutes! Cooked on the stovetop or grill, they’re the perfect family-friendly dinner for any season.
Amazing Ground Chicken Burgers
Chicken burgers have been a longtime favorite protein source for me. I’ve made all kinds, like my Moroccan chicken burgers, buffalo chicken burgers, and baked chicken Caesar salad burgers. They’re all delicious, but these chicken burgers with ground chicken are truly unlike any others.
Combined in a single bowl, the patties come together in no time and cook in about 10 minutes with zero complicated steps. I’ve tested the recipe on the stovetop and the grill, and both versions are equally delicious. That means you can enjoy these ground chicken burgers no matter the season or weather. Load them up with your favorite toppings, and you can’t go wrong!
Ingredients and Notes
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Ground Chicken: I prefer white meat ground chicken, but dark meat also works.
- Egg: This acts as a binder, helping the ground chicken patties hold their shape.
- Lemon: I use both lemon juice and lemon zest to keep the burgers tender and give them a subtle, bright taste.
- Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs: Another binder, this absorbs excess moisture, helping the burgers hold their shape without making them dense. If I can’t find gluten-free panko, I use almond flour instead.
- Green Onion, Garlic, and Shallot: These infuse the burgers with a sweet, savory, pungent taste.
- Fresh Cilantro: This adds a pop of bright, refreshing, peppery flavor that balances some of the warmth of the spices.
- Seasonings: Salt, dried thyme, paprika, pepper, cayenne pepper, and ground ginger give the burgers an incredible, warm, herbaceous, slightly spicy taste with a zingy kick from the ginger.
Where I Buy My Chicken
- Wild-Caught Seafood
- 100% Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Beef
- Free-Range Organic Chicken
- Humanely Raised Pork
Delivered to your door! The latest ButcherBox deal can be found right here.
How to Make Ground Chicken Burgers
- Combine ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a large bowl, and mix just until combined. I like to use my hands for this, but a fork also works!
- Shape the patties: Divide the chicken mixture evenly, and shape each portion into a patty. I make mine roughly ¾ inches thick, so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Cook: Heat a large skillet or outdoor grill to medium heat. Add oil or oil the grates, and cook the chicken burger patties on each side.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with all your favorite toppings!
Kitchen Tools I Use
Topping Ideas & Serving Suggestions
I like to serve these ground chicken burgers on burger buns, in lettuce wraps, or over greens for a filling salad. They’re delicious when topped with sliced avocado, red onion, cucumber, arugula, and a quick lemon-garlic aioli sauce, burger sauce, or Paleo mayonnaise. My kids love them with cheese.
Or, try tucking them into pita bread with tomato, avocado, lettuce, and 5-minute hummus or tzatziki (I use the tzatziki sauce from my crudité platter.)
When it comes to sides, some of my go-tos include sweet cucumber salad, macaroni salad, baked sweet potato fries, and roasted potato wedges. I pick one or more for a weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing potluck spread!
My Top Tips & Tricks
- Avoid overmixing. Mix the ingredients just until they are evenly distributed. The meat mixture shouldn’t be mushy! If overmixed, your ground chicken burgers will turn out dry and rubbery.
- Use a meat thermometer. Chicken burgers are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Pull them from the heat immediately to prevent overcooking and keep them juicy.
- Rest the patties. Let your burgers rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the natural juices to redistribute, keeping them tender and preventing the patties from drying out.
More Burger Recipes
Ground Chicken Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or almond flour
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3 green onions very finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ shallot finely minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ –¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper depending on desired spice level
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, gluten-free panko, lemon zest and juice, green onions, cilantro, garlic, shallot, oil, salt, thyme, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, and ginger.
- Mix gently with your hands or a fork until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the burgers tender.
- Divide the mixture into 4-5 equal portions and shape into patties about ¾-inch thick.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with oil, or preheat a grill to medium heat.
- Cook the burgers for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve on buns, in lettuce wraps, or over a salad with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Store: Store leftover cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm burgers in a skillet over medium-low heat. Or, heat them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave leftover chicken burgers in 30-second intervals until heated through.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked or uncooked burgers for up to 3 months, placing parchment paper sheets between each patty to prevent sticking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or cooking.
