Homemade Chicken Burgers

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Easy Homemade Chicken Burgers (video recipe)

These moist and juicy chicken burgers are perfect to celebrate summer. Whether you fire up the outdoor BBQ or make these indoors in the comfort of your kitchen these are simple and easy to make in less than 20 minutes

Two burgers made with ground chicken patties and cheese — Homemade Burgers with Ground Chicken Patties

It's burger season and these chicken burgers were a huge hit with my kids recently. While we make my beef and turkey burgers regularly the kids loved these because of all the cheese and wonderful flavors in the ground chicken.

Unlike ground meat, the chicken needs a bit more help to shine through. For example, for beef patties all you need is salt, pepper, and good meat but when it comes to chicken I personally like to add a few extra frills.

About these chicken burgers

No more dry chicken patties with your burgers. These are moist and juicy. The cheeses and seasonings add tons of flavor while the breadcrumbs hold on to some juices which prevent the burger from becoming dry.

The recipe below is very versatile. If you don't have or don't want an ingredient you can remove it or change it to something else.

For example, you can use fresh herbs instead of dried, you can use another variety of cheeses. I am using ground chicken thighs but you can use a mix or even just chicken breast.

In the video, you can see I've made 6 medium size patties and 2 small minis but you can make 4 large size burgers as well.

Useful tips and tools

A good outdoor grill in summer is perfect for BBQ. And yet, a good cast-iron stovetop grill works great indoors.
Use a glass or stainless steel mixing bowl to mix all the ingredients. Plastics tend to absorb strong spices and flavors.
Also, always use separate cutting boards for meats and veggies.
A good meat spatula is best to flip burgers and other items on the grill.
Use a kitchen knife for the veggies and a good bread knife for the buns.

Ingredients and substitutes (save/pin)

Chicken - I'm using ground chicken thighs but you can use breast as well. Just adjust cooking time to ensure you don't overcook it.
Onion - I like using red Spanish onions but use whatever you have on hand. Just make sure you chop them finely.
Garlic - a little goes a long way. Make sure to grate it finely so you don't bite into large chunks of garlic. You can also use 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
Cheese - I love the nutty parmesan and sharp cheese flavor form the cheddar. But you can use another variety of cheese as well.
Breadcrumbs - this adds stability and helps absorb excess moisture in the patties.
Eggs - help hold all the ingredients together and prevents it from falling apart.

Homemade chicken burgers (save/pin)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl except oil.
Divide the mixture into 6 large or 8 mini patties
Dip your hands in water (this prevents sticking) and form patties. Make a ball then flatten and shape edges.
These can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Thaw an hour before you plan to cook them.
Heat a grill pan or cast-iron pan on medium-high heat.
Place the patties and cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes
If using cheese - add the cheese at the last minute of cooking so you don't overcook it.
Serve with your favorite hamburger buns and burger sauce.

Combine all the ingredients for the chicken patties in a bowl.

Homemade Chicken Burgers Progress Pictures1

Form the mixture into a chicken patty for a burger

Homemade Chicken Burgers Progress Pictures4

Cook the chicken patty on a cast iron skillet

Homemade Chicken Burgers Progress Pictures6

Homemade Chicken Burgers Progress Pictures3

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Homemade Chicken Burgers Progress Pictures2

Assemble

Toast the burgers on the grill for a minutes
Add the burger sauce or ketchup
Add the tomato slices
Place the chicken patties
Top with onion slices and green lettuce
Enjoy!

Easy Cheesy Chicken Burgers30

Easy Cheesy Chicken Burgers39

Tips for working with ground chicken

When possible use chicken thighs or leg meat. Unlike the breast, this meat takes a bit more longer to cook and is more flavorful.
The ground chicken cooks quickly so when possible cook the patties just before serving.
Be generous with spices and flavorings but do not overdo it.
The patties tend to shrink when cooked so make them slightly larger than the size of the burger buns.

Frequently asked questions

How long will these chicken patties keep?

The chicken patties are best fresh on burgers but they will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can freeze them for up to a month too.

Why do we stuff beef burgers in the center?

One of the many reasons people choose to stuff burgers so the center won't need cooking. Often, the edges tend to dry out while the center is cooking. This typically happens when you cook burger past medium.

Can I use olive oil for hamburgers?

Olive oil has a low smoke point and burgers are to be cooked on high. Therefore it is highly recommended to use cooking oils such as canola or grapeseed.

What buns do you use for homemade burgers?

You can buy readymade burger buns. And yet, if you are up to it, you must try my homemade soft burger buns. I also have whole wheat burger buns. Both are soft and wonderful. They are also very popular with the readers of this blog

How do you keep hamburger patties from falling apart?

There are a few things you can do as I have explained in the tips section above.
Keep the burgers chilled, since warm patties tend to fall apart.
Don't over mix the burger mixture.
Avoid flipping the burgers too soon, or often.
Do not add too much liquid to the burger mixture. When using frozen ground meat, make sure to drain excess moisture before you form the patties.
Lastly, if necessary beat an egg and add only as much as needed to bring it all together.

Why do my homemade beef burgers stick to the grill?

Always use a well seasoned cast-iron pan to grill. Wipe the grill pan with a paper towel that's been moistened with oil. This helps the pan reach a nice smoking point.
With full-fat ground meat, the burgers should not stick to the grill pan at all.
But, if you use low-fat ground meat, it is a good idea to add some oil to the pan before adding the burgers.
If your burgers are still sticking, check to see if the grill pan is clean - perhaps burnt residue from your previous BBQ is still stuck to the wires. Clean thoroughly.

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