These ground chicken burgers redefine weeknight dinners with their vibrant, bold flavors. Crafted with fresh chopped cilantro, a subtle hint of chili heat, and crowned with a bright, tangy, and impossibly creamy lemon-mint yogurt spread, these chicken burgers are poised to become your family’s new favorite.

Seeking a lighter alternative to traditional beef burgers without sacrificing an ounce of taste? Look no further. This ground chicken patty recipe is bursting with big, lively flavors. Each patty is infused with savory garlic, aromatic fresh cilantro, and just enough roasted red chili paste to deliver a pleasant warmth, rather than overpowering heat. The crowning glory is a refreshing, homemade yogurt, lemon, and mint sauce that elevates these to the best grilled ground chicken burgers you’ll ever make.

Elevate your burger night beyond the ordinary! While these chicken burgers are spectacular, you could also explore our equally delicious gourmet turkey burgers or even venture into a delightful vegetarian zucchini fritter burger. For the ultimate experience, serve them on fluffy homemade brioche buns and perhaps swap the yogurt spread for a rich, homemade BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile.

Why You Will Love This Ground Chicken Burgers Recipe

This isn’t just another chicken burger recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for ease and maximum flavor. Here’s why these ground chicken burgers will become a staple in your kitchen:

• Bold Flavor with Balanced Heat: Experience a complex flavor profile that delights the palate. The recipe masterfully blends the cooling richness of yogurt with the gentle warmth of chili paste, brightened by fresh lemon and herbs. It’s incredibly flavorful and satisfying without being overly spicy, perfect for all taste preferences.
• Foolproof Perfection Every Time: Say goodbye to dry, unevenly cooked chicken burgers. By utilizing a grill pan paired with a weighted cast iron skillet, you’ll achieve consistent cooking and a beautiful sear. Simply measure your ingredients, follow the straightforward steps, and get ready to enjoy perfectly juicy and tender ground chicken patties.
• Versatile Accompaniments for Any Meal: This recipe comes with a delightful, refreshing cucumber and carrot salad. You can serve this vibrant salad directly on top of your burger for an extra layer of crunch and tang, or enjoy it as a crisp side dish. What’s more, the zesty yogurt sauce pulls double duty as a fantastic dip for fresh vegetables or even pita bread, making it incredibly adaptable for various meal needs.

Professional Tips for Making the Best Ground Chicken Burgers

Achieving a perfectly cooked, juicy chicken burger is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Always Monitor Your Burgers Closely: Chicken is a lean meat and can become dry if overcooked. It’s crucial to keep a watchful eye on your patties throughout the cooking process. Use an instant-read thermometer to test for doneness; remove them from the heat immediately once they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures they remain tender and juicy.
• Never Skip the Preheat Step: For those coveted grill marks, a delicious crust (the Maillard reaction!), and to prevent your patties from drying out, ensure your grill pan is thoroughly preheated to a medium-high temperature before adding the chicken. Patience here pays off in a big way.
• Prevent Patties from Sticking: Ground chicken has a naturally lower fat content than many other ground meats, making it more prone to sticking. To avoid this, always preheat and generously oil your grill pan or grates before placing the patties. Additionally, resist the urge to move the patties too soon; allow them to develop a nice brown crust on one side before flipping. This creates a natural release and helps them stay intact.

Ingredients for Unforgettable Flavor

The secret to these incredibly flavorful ground chicken burgers lies in a thoughtful combination of fresh, high-quality ingredients:

• Ground Chicken: While I prefer a leaner option for this recipe, aim for ground chicken that isn’t *too* lean to ensure optimal flavor and moisture. Varieties like 85/15 or 90/10 are perfect for this dish, striking a great balance. If you happen to buy a family-sized pack, you can also whip up some ground chicken tacos or a hearty Chipotle Chili!
• Roasted Red Chili Paste: I recommend 2 teaspoons of roasted red chili paste. This ingredient adds a wonderfully complex flavor and a pleasant hint of heat that’s more about warmth than intense spice. You can typically find it in the Asian aisle of your local grocery store, often alongside other Thai ingredients. While you’re there, consider grabbing supplies for an Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Noodle Stir Fry! If you’re sensitive to spice, feel free to reduce it to 1 teaspoon or omit it entirely.
• Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro brings a bright, herbaceous note that perfectly complements the chili and garlic in the patties.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors in the burger mixture.
• Garlic: You’ll need 3 medium garlic cloves, minced. Fresh garlic provides the best aromatic depth. If fresh isn’t available, about 3 tablespoons of jarred chopped garlic can be used in a pinch.
• Buns: The bun is just as important as the patty! Choose your favorite, but I found a brioche bun to be absolutely fabulous with its soft texture and slight sweetness. Gluten-free varieties work wonderfully too!
• Greek Yogurt: For the creamy spread, I use 2% Greek yogurt. Its thick consistency and tangy flavor are ideal for creating a rich yet refreshing sauce.
• Mascarpone: My “secret ingredient” for the spread is mascarpone cheese. This Italian cream cheese adds an incredible velvety smoothness and richness, while also mellowing the tartness from the Greek yogurt and lemon, creating a perfectly balanced sauce.
• Lemon Zest: As you might know from my Lemon Roasted Chicken recipe, I love using fresh lemon zest in my chicken dishes. It provides an intense, aromatic burst of lemon flavor without adding extra liquid. Remember to only zest the bright yellow outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the yogurt spread, adding essential tanginess and cutting through the richness.
• Mint: Fresh mint leaves are crucial for the spread, offering a wonderfully refreshing and cooling counterpoint to the chili in the burgers.
• Carrots: Sliced thinly for the quick-pickled salad, carrots add a touch of sweetness and crisp texture.
• Cucumber: You’ll need 1 medium cucumber for the salad. Both English cucumbers (which are typically seedless) or regular slicing cucumbers work well here, shaved thinly for the best texture.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Be sure to use unseasoned rice wine vinegar for the salad dressing. If you only have seasoned rice wine vinegar, you may need to adjust or omit the additional salt and sugar listed below to maintain balance.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar is essential to balance the acidity of the vinegar and the saltiness in the quick-pickled salad. Do not omit this ingredient, as it creates a harmonious flavor. If needed, a touch of honey can be used as a substitute.

Refer to the recipe card below for precise measurements and quantities for each ingredient.

Exciting Variations to Customize Your Burger

This ground chicken burger recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for many delicious adaptations based on your preferences or what you have on hand:

• Boost Texture with Breadcrumbs: For a slightly firmer patty that holds its shape beautifully and retains moisture, consider adding about ¼ to ½ cup of plain breadcrumbs to the ground chicken mixture. This technique works wonders, just as it does in my popular salmon burgers!
• Experiment with Different Ground Meats: While ground chicken is fantastic, this recipe’s flavor profile can easily be adapted for other ground meats. Feel free to swap the ground chicken for ground turkey for a similar lean option, or explore richer alternatives like ground beef or even ground lamb for a distinct taste. You can also process your own ground chicken breasts for an even leaner burger.
• Explore Diverse Toppings: Unleash your creativity with toppings! In the final minutes of cooking, melt a slice of your favorite cheese, such as sharp cheddar, creamy mozzarella, or spicy Monterey Jack, directly onto the burger patties. Other classic and beloved additions include crisp lettuce, creamy mayonnaise, tangy homemade BBQ sauce, thinly sliced red onion, a smear of zesty Dijon mustard, and juicy tomato slices. For a more adventurous twist, some restaurants even serve their chicken burgers with a fried egg or a dash of Worcestershire sauce!
• Infuse with Different Spices: Customize the flavor of your chicken patties by experimenting with alternative spice blends. Instead of cilantro and chili paste, try adding a teaspoon of onion powder, smoked paprika for a smoky depth, dried oregano for an earthy note, or a blend of Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist. Cumin and coriander would lend a delicious Middle Eastern or Indian-inspired profile.

How to Make Flavorful Ground Chicken Burgers

Follow these detailed instructions to create consistently perfect, juicy ground chicken burgers every single time. You’ll find full measurements and further specifics in the comprehensive recipe card located below!

Form and cook chicken patties

Step 1: Begin by heating your grill pan over medium-high heat. To prepare your weighted press, cover the bottom of another cast iron skillet with two sheets of aluminum foil. This will prevent sticking and distribute weight evenly.

Step 2: While the grill pan is heating up, combine the ground chicken, roasted red chili paste, fresh cilantro, kosher salt, black pepper, and minced garlic in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using wet hands (this prevents the mixture from sticking to your fingers), gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough burgers. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form each into a patty, making a slight indentation in the center to prevent it from bulging during cooking.

Step 3: Once your grill pan is sizzling hot, lightly brush the cooking surface with a high-smoke-point oil, such as olive oil or your preferred vegetable oil. Carefully place the formed chicken patties onto the hot grill pan. Immediately place the prepared large cast iron skillet (foil side down) directly on top of the patties, applying gentle, even pressure. This weighting technique helps achieve a fantastic sear and ensures uniform cooking.

Step 4: Set a timer for 5 minutes. After the first side has cooked, carefully flip the burgers. Remove one layer of aluminum foil from the bottom of the skillet (reducing the weight slightly for the second side), then place the skillet back on the patties. Continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the burger reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured with an instant-read thermometer.

Step 5: Once cooked, transfer the juicy patties to a clean plate and loosely tent them with aluminum foil. Allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and flavorful burger.

Make yogurt spread

Step 6: For the incredibly delicious yogurt spread, gather all the spread ingredients and add them to the base of a Nutribullet, mini food processor, or a standard blender. This ensures a perfectly smooth and creamy consistency.

Step 7: Blend the ingredients until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. Once blended, taste the spread and adjust any ingredients as desired. You might want a little more lemon for zing, or a touch more mint for freshness. Don’t be afraid to customize!

Step 8: If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can still achieve a great spread. Simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and use an immersion blender until smooth. If using a whisk, be sure to mince your fresh mint leaves as finely as possible first to ensure they are well incorporated and evenly distributed throughout the sauce.

Prepare a carrot & cucumber salad

Step 9: For the refreshing salad, use a mandoline or a vegetable peeler to shave the carrots and cucumber into very thin ribbons or slices. The thinner they are, the better they will absorb the dressing and provide a delicate crunch.

Step 10: Place the shaved vegetables in a large bowl. Pour in just enough unseasoned rice wine vinegar to lightly coat them. Then, sprinkle with salt and sugar to your taste. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

Step 11: For the best flavor, allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble and eat your burgers. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully. You can even prepare this salad the day before, making it an excellent make-ahead component for your meal prep.

Step 12: Finally, it’s time to assemble your masterpieces! Stack the warm, flavorful ground chicken patties with generous dollops of the creamy lemon-mint yogurt spread and a fresh mound of the tangy carrot and cucumber salad onto your favorite soft brioche buns. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you tried this amazing recipe and absolutely loved it, please take a moment to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I truly value your feedback and your comments always make my day!

Before You Go

I genuinely hope you enjoyed this professionally developed and chef-tested recipe for these incredible ground chicken burgers. They are a true testament to how flavorful and exciting a healthy meal can be! Don’t stop here – we have many more delicious, chef-crafted chicken recipes waiting for you. Be sure to explore other favorites like our Foolproof Grilled Rosemary Chicken, which guarantees tender and aromatic results every time, or my quick and easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, perfect for a fast and satisfying meal. Happy cooking!