Smash Chicken Burger

If you love easy burgers with crispy edges and melty cheese, this Smash Chicken Burger will become your new favorite. It's everything you love about classic smash burgers ready in under 30 minutes:seared crust, bacon, spicy mayo, but made lighter with ground chicken. Perfect for busy weeknights, backyard cookouts, or game day cravings

You might also like Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes.

Whether it's summer grill season or winter, it is time to start making smash chicken burgers. There is simply nothing better than a good chunk of chicken with on a bun!

What Is a Smash Chicken Burger?

A smash chicken burger is made by dropping small balls of ground chicken onto a hot skillet and pressing-or "smashing"-them flat. This quick press causes the chicken to sear instantly on high heat, forming those irresistible crispy edges while locking in moisture. The result? A juicy burger with a caramelized crust and deep, savory flavor.

Why it works

• Healthy - Smash chicken burger is as healthy as you can get as far as the burger world. Almost any chicken burger is leaner than one made of regular 30% fat ground beef.
• Lean - Poultry has better fats than red meats, and eating poultry hasn't been linked to a higher risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, or diabetes.
• Beef burger substitute - This is my top alternative to eating red meat burgers.
• Perfect with Spicy Pickle Relish or Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)for not overly sweet, not to spicy chicken burger!

Ingredients

• Onions, onions onions! I love to have onions on this chicken burger, whether those onions are fresh or cooked. This one has lots of caramelized onions, which is an easy way to bring out a flavor out of any meat. If you're not sure how to caramelize onions, I will teach you how!
• Cooking the onions right - don't pack too many onions into your pan, otherwise instead of caramelizing, they will steam and produce water. And make sure to deglaze your pan with water, wine or balsamic vinegar at the end, in order for the onions to absorb all the flavor from the bottom of the pan.
• Add bacon - why don't they make it mandatory to add bacon to all CHICKEN burgers out there? Bacon makes this burger taste so much better!
• I cooked bacon in the oven for 10 minutes at 400F on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper and the texture of the bacon turned out to be just perfect. Here's how to cook the bacon article.
• Tomatoes on a smash chicken burger, anyone? You can slice them as thick or as thin as you like, when combined with the spicy mayo, they will taste heavenly.
• Spicy mayo is probably the best part of this chicken burger. You can buy a pre-made kind or, make it yourself, by mixing mayonnaise, any hot chili or sriracha sauce.
• Ketchup - or, why not just use plain ketchup? In my opinion, ketchup and mayo go very well together on any chicken burger.

How to make smash chicken burger

1. Prepare chicken burger seasoning - Mix chili powder, salt, cumin, minced garlic, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Next, add egg and whisk slightly. Add ground chicken.
2. Make chicken patties - Gently form the ground chicken mixture into 4 balls, then lightly press into 4-inch-wide, ½-inch thick patties (or 1-inch for thicker patties). Set aside.
3. Brown the burgers - Heat the skillet on medium hot and add olive oil. Add burgers, smash them with a ladle; and cook until browned on each side, 5 minutes per side. Turn off the heat, add cheese on top of the hot patties and set aside.

Smash Chicken Burger with Spicy Mayo and Bacon

This spicy ground chicken burger is made with no breadcrumbs and is unbelievably juicy!

4.91 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken burger

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 burgers

Author: Olya Shepard

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Spicy Mayo:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (can also use any hot chili sauce or plain ketchup)

Chicken Burger Patties:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• ½ teaspoon salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

Burger Toppings:

• 1 onion (thinly sliced)
• 4 bacon strips (cooked)
• 1 tomato (sliced)
• 4 pieces of lettuce
• 4 Hamburger buns (I used Brioche buns)

Instructions

Spicy Mayo

• Prepare spicy mayo by mixing mayonnaise and sriracha sauce with a whisk. Set aside.

Bacon

• Preheat oven to 400 F. Prepare a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper, add bacon and bake for 10 minutes. Once done, set aside

Caramelized Onions

• Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add onions to the skillet. Start sautéing the onions on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to soften and brown, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add a splash of water to the pan and continue cooking the onions for 5 more minutes. Remove onions from the skillet.

Chicken burgers patties

• Mix chili powder, salt, cumin, minced garlic, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Add egg and whisk slightly. Add ground chicken.
• Gently form the chicken into 4 balls, then lightly press into 4-inch-wide, ½-inch thick patties (or 1-inch for thicker patties). Set aside.
  
• Reheat the skillet on medium hot and add olive oil. Add burgers and cook until browned on each side, 5 minutes per side. Turn off the heat, add cheese on top of the hot patties and set aside.

Assembly

• Assemble the burger: bottom bun, layer of spicy mayo, lettuce, tomato, chicken burger patty with cheese, more spicy mayo, if desired. And finally, add the bacon, completing the assembly with the top bun.

Calories: 622kcal

Nutrition Facts

Smash Chicken Burger with Spicy Mayo and Bacon

Amount per Serving

Calories

622

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

44

g

68

%

Saturated Fat

 

9

g

56

%

Cholesterol

 

123

mg

41

%

Sodium

 

1228

mg

53

%

Potassium

 

883

mg

25

%

Carbohydrates

 

28

g

9

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

6

g

7

%

Protein

 

28

g

56

%

Vitamin A

 

560

IU

11

%

Vitamin C

 

9.7

mg

12

%

Calcium

 

111

mg

11

%

Iron

 

3.1

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Vitamin A

 

560

IU

11

%

Vitamin C

 

9.7

mg

12

%

Calcium

 

111

mg

11

%

Iron

 

3.1

mg

17

%

Tried this recipe? I would love to see your creation!Let me know on Instagram @whatsinthepanblog

Pro Tips

• Use parchment paper when smashing: Prevents patties from sticking to your spatula.
• Don't press after flipping: Once they're browned, let them rest-pressing causes juices to escape.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan: This keeps heat consistent and patties crisp.
• Rest before assembling: A short rest helps juices redistribute, keeping burgers moist.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Patties falling apart: Add a bit more binder (egg or breadcrumbs) and chill the mixture before cooking.
• Too dry? Mix in a little olive oil or grated onion for moisture.
• Undercooked center: Flatten patties evenly and cook at consistent medium-high heat.
• Burger sticking to spatula: Use parchment or wax paper between the spatula and patty during smashing.

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes. Turkey works just as well but may be drier-add a splash of olive oil for moisture.

Do I need a burger press?

Not necessarily-a sturdy spatula or even a flat-bottom glass works fine.

Is ground chicken safe to eat at medium? 

No, cook until fully done (internal temperature of 165°F) for food safety.

Variations and Substitutions

• Grated Parmesan cheese is a great way to enhance smash chicken burger flavor and make it taste more salty!
• More salt - sometimes more salt is better! Salt tends to evaporated when cooking so adding extra is a great way to add more flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce - because it contains vinegar and hints of garlic, onion and paprika, it's a great way to make your smash chicken burger taste extra delicious.
• Mayo mixed with ketchup - wow, what an amazing way to enhance the way the chicken burger can taste!
• Lighter option: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt in the sauce.
• Cheese swap: Try pepper jack for spice or mozzarella for a creamy melt.
• Gluten-free: Use almond flour in place of breadcrumbs and gluten-free buns.
• Extra flavor: Add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions between patties for a gourmet touch.

Serving Suggestions

Smash Chicken Burgers are incredibly versatile. Here are some ways to serve them:

• With crispy fries or air fryer sweet potato wedges.
• Paired with a simple coleslaw for a classic meal.
• On a lettuce wrap for a low-carb version.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

• Refrigerate: I like to use individual ziplock bags for each smash chicken burger to store them either in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 1 month.
• Freeze: Wrap each cooked patty tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet or oven at low heat to preserve crispness. Avoid microwaving for too long-it can dry out the chicken.
• You can store uncooked and raw chicken patties the same way.
• Can I make the patties ahead? Yes, form and refrigerate up to a day in advance, separated by parchment paper.

More delicious sandwich recipes

Air Fryer Fish Sandwich with Homemade Tartar Sauce

More tasty chicken recipes

If you enjoy tasty chicken recipes, I have a variety of other tasty chicken recipes for you to check out:

• Skillet Chicken in Mushroom Sauce
• Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
• Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes in Dijon Mustard Wine Sauce
• Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Sauce

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