Go-to Ground Chicken Burger Recipe

Looking for a ground chicken burger recipe that is so tasty you won’t miss the beef? Also, one that uses just a few simple pantry seasonings to make amazingly juicy chicken burgers? Look no further than this simple tried-and-true burger recipe my family loves!

We definitely enjoy our share of beef burgers in my house but we also love a good ground chicken burger. I love this recipe because it only requires a few pantry seasonings to make an incredibly flavorful chicken burger that will satisfy any appetite. Pair it with some frozen fries for the ultimate easy weeknight meal. Let’s make them!

Ingredient notes

Juicy ground chicken burgers

Honestly, it doesn’t take much to make a delicious burger with ground chicken. You don’t need bread crumbs, you don’t need to add oil or egg, and you don’t need a million mix ins to make chicken burgers fun.

And there’s really no secret ingredient that you need. It’s really just about proper seasoning. No exotic spices needed! 

Don’t get me wrong–I love coming up with different burger recipes with lots of mix-ins (see spinach & feta turkey burgers, southwest chicken burgers and sweet & spicy turkey burgers), but sometimes I just want something yummy with super simple ingredients. For this recipe, all you need is:

• lean ground chicken – you can also use ground turkey. I really see ground chicken and ground turkey as interchangeable. Turkey can sometimes have a more distinct flavor and tends not to be quite as moist, but there’s no huge difference. You could also swap in ground beef and use these exact same seasonings for a delicious beef burger.
• salt
• black pepper
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• paprika
• crushed red pepper 
• olive oil or butter for cooking 

How to make these yummy homemade chicken burgers

This is the chicken burger recipe for when I want to serve something fun for dinner, but I want the least amount of work possible. And as you can see from the ingredients list above, these burgers are about as simple as it gets. Just ground meat and some simple pantry seasonings. 

​Before you start shaping the patties, you’ll want to heat a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil or butter…or both. 🙂 

You’ll start by combining the ground chicken with the spices in a large bowl. It’s best to use your (clean) hands to mix it up. I’ve heard people say not to overmix the meat and that might be true but I just mix until the spices seem evenly distributed and I’ve never had an issue. 

Once you have it fully mixed, flatten the ground chicken mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the bowl. Use your hand to score it into four even sections.

These are your four burgers and will help you achieve four equal patties. If you really want perfectly portioned patties, you can use a food scale. 

Scoop out one section at a time and shape in to chicken burger patties. Then gently place the burger patties in the hot skillet, making sure the burgers don’t touch. 

Ever wonder how to keep your burgers from shrinking?

It took me years to learn how to keep my beautifully shaped patties from dramatically shrinking during cooking and its really a simple fix! When you shape the patties, simply form a slight divet/crater in the center of the patty on one side.

Voila! Your burgers will still shrink slightly just due to the fat melting and meat proteins firming up, but it will be way less dramatic and your burgers will stay relatively the same size!

Cook on both sides, until golden brown and an internal temperature of 165F is reached. I can’t make chicken burgers without my meat thermometer, otherwise, I’d be cutting my burgers open and scrutinizing them for doneness inside LOL.

It usually takes a about 4-5 minutes per side, but let the thermometer be your guide. I really think its using a thermometer that ensures you have the best texture for your burger because it helps you avoid over-cooking.

As the burgers finish, either place them on a plate or baking sheet and top with cheese. Loosely cover with foil or parchment paper to encourage the cheese to melt. 

At this point, I would start toasting the hamburger buns. I place the buns, cut-side up on a baking sheet and put them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until nicely toasted. If you want to make these chicken burgers low carb, try serving in a lettuce wrap!

Favorite toppings for chicken burgers

When I’m in the mood for as easy as possible, I like to keep the toppings classic:

• cheddar cheese
• pickles
• lettuce – butter lettuce is my favorite for burgers!
• tomato
• mayo and/or bbq sauce
• onion – I do like to pickle my onion, but if I’m super lazy I probably would skip it! Red onion, white or yellow all work!

Storage and reheating instructions

Store leftover burgers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can just pop the patties in the microwave to reheat, but I prefer to reheat in the oven. I place the patty on a baking sheet under the broiler (on the lowest shelf possible) for about 5 minutes and in my oven and that’s just right! 

Why you’ll love this easy ground chicken burgers recipe

• This recipe is a great alternative to regular beef burgers with delicious flavor
• It comes together quick, making it perfect for a busy weeknight
• It’s exciting enough for a Friday night, weekends or guests!

​Tried this recipe?

If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating below and let me know how it went. I’d love to hear from you!

You can also find me on Pinterest!

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