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These ground chicken burgers take just 7 minutes to cook and can be grilled or pan-fried! Extra juicy and perfectly healthy, there are NO eggs and NO bread crumbs needed!
I love cooking with ground chicken because like chicken breasts, it’s a blank canvas to work from.
It’s why my family loves ground chicken meatballs, chicken crust pizza, and chicken sausage, but where this meat really shines is when I use it to make ground chicken burgers.
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
- Quick and easy. The entire recipe takes less than 7 minutes to cook, and there is no resting time required!
- They make a healthy and filling dinner. Lean ground chicken is low in saturated fat and packs in over 30 grams of protein per serving.
- Easy to make ahead. The ground chicken patties are freezer-friendly, so make a double batch or triple batch and freeze the leftovers.
- No eggs or breadcrumbs. There is no need for eggs or bread crumbs, which are typically found in most burger recipes. This also makes them gluten-free and low in carbs.
Ingredients needed
Besides the ground chicken and some seasonings, there really isn’t much else needed to make these burgers. Here is what you’ll need:
- Ground chicken breasts– As mentioned earlier, I prefer using lean ground chicken because the addition of oil in the mixture keeps them super juicy and tender. Also, higher fat cuts tend to be more soggy and greasy.
- Garlic– Freshly minced is always best, but use garlic powder if that is all you have.
- Onion– Optional, but unlike a wagyu burger or classic beef burger, adding onions to this chicken one won’t make a huge difference in flavor.
- Olive oil– The secret ingredient to ensure these burgers turn out extra juicy every time. The extra oil helps keep the insides juicy and moist, so you’ll be craving burgers every single time.
- Sweet chili sauce- Adds a lovely, subtle, sweet, and spicy flavor. You can also use standard chili sauce or sriracha or just skip it together.
- Mustard– I prefer American mustard, but Dijon mustard will also work.
- Worcestershire sauce– Adds an extra layer of flavor that takes these burgers to another level.
- Kosher salt and black pepper– To taste.
- Oil to fry/grill– Any cooking oil with a high smoke point, like peanut oil or vegetable oil.
- Burger fix-ins– I like to keep things classic with hamburger buns, salad, mayo, slices of tomato, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
How to make burgers with ground chicken
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the ground chicken mixture. Start by adding all your burger patty ingredients in a large bowl and mixing until combined.
Step 2- Shape. Next, lightly wet your hands and shape the mixture into four thick patties.
Step 3- Grill. Now, add oil to a grill pan or charcoal grill and cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F.
How to make it in a skillet
If you prefer to pan-fry the burger patties, simply grease a large skillet and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil then add the burger patties in a single layer. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes.
Recipe tips and variations
- Use your hands to mix the patties, as it ensures everything mixes well and doesn’t stick to the mixing spoon or spatula.
- Do not over-mix the burger mixture, as overdoing it risks the burgers becoming slightly chewy and tough (even without overcooking them!).
- Avoid pressing down on the burgers while cooking, as this will release some of their juices and dry them out.
- Add some other spices or herbs to them, like smoked paprika, parsley, or oregano.
- Feel free to switch the ground chicken for ground turkey if that is all you have on hand.
- Serve these burgers with some healthy fries, like air fryer french fries, air fryer sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, jicama fries, or baked curly fries.
How to store leftovers
To store: Leftover chicken burger patties can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled burgers in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
Reheating: Microwave the burgers for 30-40 seconds or reheat on a grill or non-stick pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken burgers and hamburgers are both healthy options, but it depends on what you add to the burgers. Bacon, cheese, and creamy sauces can turn a healthy burger into something quite calorie-dense and high in fat.
You can bake ground chicken burgers, but you will need to use a higher-fat cut of ground chicken to ensure it does not dry out. Bake the chicken burgers for 15-16 minutes at 180C/350F.
More recipes using ground chicken
- Pizza bowls– A miniature version of my crustless pizza (which works with ground chicken too!).
- Air fryer chicken patties– Juicy, fast, and perfectly wholesome.
- Chicken lettuce wraps– A fun Asian twist that tastes like something from a Chinese restaurant.
Ground chicken burgers (Extra juicy)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 small onion grated or diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all your burger patty ingredients and mix until combined.
- Lightly wet your hands and shape the mixture into four thick patties.
- Add oil to a non-stick grill pan or charcoal grill and cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove the burgers from the pan and assemble as desired.
You know how much I like sweet meets heat, so this sauce looks awesome. I bet it would be fantastic smothered across some grilled veggies.
Also fun fact: I’m pretty decent at grilling meat. It’s been a few years since I’ve done it, but back then grilling was always my job. Ha!
I’ll have to try it out for myself my dear.
I can envision a sweet chilli sauce spiked ratatouille!
Yum yum yum, sweet chili sauce 😀 My grill is FINALLY getting some use after being buried in snow for far too long…will have to add these to the summer grill list!
I am coming for a grill party, uninvited 😉
Too bad you’re now totally invited 😉
I’m so glad you dislike watching cricket too because I fell asleep every time I attempt to watch it. Share a couple of these burgers with your new neighbors and they’ll love you. SAFE TRAVELS, friend!
LOL! I’m so glad you picked that up my faux English chicka! Seriously, yawn x 100.
Thanks heaps buddy 🙂
chicken burgers sound like such a great idea! I bet it tasted soooo good with that ssweet chili sauce! thanks for sharing!
Thanks Celyn- Promise they are delicious!
You know this is my jam. I can’t get enough chicken burgers lately. Nothing wrong with getting some minus the preservatives. I’d get the pre-ground chicken because I’m a wimp. You’re a badass for getting thighs.
I know, right? So badasssssssss. Chicken boobs are overrated!
You are such a fantastic storyteller…super entertaining as always! These look absolutely perfect!
Haha you’re a gem Sonali! Looking forward to doing my weekend reading aka stalking your blog!!
I just love the thighs of chicks…… Mmm Mmm GOOD! What I am really waiting for is that dang OCTOPUS RECIPE!!! You’re holding out on me!
And um, when are you doing 1 week in the world of GIGI’s DIET?! LOL
Hahaha hopefully in a few months time- Got a few things on the cards already coming up! Thighs > boobs.
I fail at life when it comes to grilling things. In fact, I’m not even sure I know how to turn one on 😆 And I’d try to learn, but I’m not even that crazy about grilled food. Can you roast marshmallows over one?
LOL. Let’s try that one out at Meg’s this year!
Hahaha I suck at grilling/BBQing too. Luckily we don’t have a BBQ (or a balcony for that matter) at our apartment so I don’t have to deal with it.
Argh! I need an update on your new life as an independent woman who (Sometimes) needs a man
These look really good!
And I very much enjoyed the story about you learning to grill!!!
Thanks Kim! Never let me near your grill!
Hahah love the grilling story. I usually let Kyle tend to it when we’re making BBQ because I have absolutely no patience for standing by the meat and usually end up forgetting about it and wandering off. No bueno! What is bueno (my Spanish is obviously on par today) is this recipe and these photos! YUMMMM
Thanks buddy! Hahaha don’t get me started on leaving things and forgetting…
Lol to that story – I have never even touched a grill for that reason exactly. Why do some people make it look so damn easy!? Anyways, these look amazing. I love turkey/chicken burgers and everything sweet and spicy. I will definitely make these over the stove in my kitchen to prevent turning them into chicken burger chips.
Please do, Hayley! Although not going to lie, burger chips sounds pretty amazing!
Arman, I was never one for grilling…believe it or not, my daughter is the grill master in the family. She takes over and grills like she means business. Good for her, but like you, I stick to my little griddle pan. I love the sound of these chicken burgers and they look so darn good! Have a wonderful day, Catherine
Oh wow- That is awesome!
Thanks so much, Catherine- Hope everything is well with you and the family!