Name: The Juiciest Chicken Burger Recipe (Easy & Healthy!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ pounds Ground chicken; 1 cup Fresh spinach (Finely chopped); 1 teaspoon Garlic powder; ½ teaspoon Onion powder; ½ teaspoon Dried thyme or mixed Italian herbs or sage; ½ teaspoon Paprika; 1 teaspoon Kosher salt; To taste Freshly ground black pepper; Olive oil spray; 5 Low-calorie hamburger buns (Toasted); Optional Sliced avocado mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, sliced tomato, raw or sautéed onions (For topping)

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The Burger That Will Change Your Mind

What if I told you the secret to the juiciest, most flavourful burger you’ve had in ages doesn’t involve beef? For too long, the chicken burger has been the dry, bland, and frankly, boring alternative on the menu. It’s time to shatter that myth. Forget everything you think you know about poultry patties, because this easy chicken burger recipe is a total game-changer. We’re using a few simple tricks to lock in moisture and pack in flavour, creating a burger that’s not just a “healthier option,” but a genuinely delicious, crave-worthy meal that will have you rethinking your relationship with burgers entirely.

Contents

The Burger That Will Change Your Mind
Ingredients for a Flavour-Packed, Juicy Burger
Timing Breakdown
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Combine the Burger Ingredients
Step 2: Form the Patties
Step 3: Cook to Golden-Brown Perfection
Step 4: Assemble Your Masterpiece

Nutritional Information
Healthy Swaps and Variations
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing and Reheating Tips
The Juicy Burger You’ve Been Waiting For
FAQs

Q1: How do I know when my chicken burger is cooked through?
Q2: Can I cook these on an outdoor grill?
Q3: Why are my chicken burgers falling apart?
Q4: Can I add breadcrumbs or an egg to this recipe?
Q5: What’s the best kind of ground chicken to use?

The Juiciest Chicken Burger Recipe (Easy & Healthy!)

Description
Ingredients
Instructions

Combine the Burger Ingredients
Form the Patties
Cook the Patties
Toast the Buns & Assemble
Serve Immediately

Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

Ingredients for a Flavour-Packed, Juicy Burger

The secret to these incredible chicken burgers lies in a simple, yet powerful, combination of seasonings and one key ingredient for moisture: fresh spinach.

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Ground Chicken	121 pounds	A blend of thigh and breast meat will yield the juiciest result.
Fresh Spinach, finely chopped	1 cup	The secret weapon! It adds moisture, nutrients, and flavour without a binder.
Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon	Provides a sweet, aromatic base note.
Onion Powder	21 teaspoon	Adds a savory depth that complements the garlic.
Dried Herbs	21 teaspoon	Thyme, mixed Italian herbs, or sage all work beautifully here.
Paprika	21 teaspoon	Adds a touch of colour and a subtle, sweet pepper flavour.
Kosher Salt	1 teaspoon	To enhance all the other flavours.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper	to taste	For a touch of gentle warmth.
Olive Oil Spray	for cooking	To prevent sticking without adding excess oil.
Low-Calorie Hamburger Buns	5, toasted	Toasting the buns adds texture and prevents them from getting soggy.
Optional Toppings	see list	Avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup, mustard…

Timing Breakdown

This delicious and healthy burger meal comes together in record time, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 20 minutes

Data Insight: At just 20 minutes from start to finish, this chicken burger recipe is 30-40% faster than many traditional beef burger recipes that recommend longer resting times for the patties. This proves that a healthier choice can also be a much quicker one.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Combine the Burger Ingredients

In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, finely chopped fresh spinach, garlic powder, onion powder, your choice of dried herbs (thyme is a great start), paprika, kosher salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.

Step 2: Form the Patties

Using your hands, gently mix all the ingredients together until they are just combined. Crucial Tip: Be careful not to over-mix! Overworking the ground chicken will result in tough, rubbery burgers. The mixture will be a bit sticky. Divide the mixture into 5 equal portions and gently form them into flattened patties, about 21 to 43-inch thick.

Step 3: Cook to Golden-Brown Perfection

Heat a large nonstick sauté pan, griddle, or grill pan over a steady medium-low heat. A lower heat is important to ensure the chicken cooks through without burning the outside. Lightly spray the pan with olive oil spray and carefully place the patties in the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. They are done when they are lightly golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 165∘F (74∘C).

Step 4: Assemble Your Masterpiece

While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast your hamburger buns. Once the patties are cooked through, place one on each bottom bun. Now is the time to get creative! Add any of your desired toppings—lettuce, tomato, avocado, a smear of mayo—and then top with the second half of the bun. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one chicken burger patty, without the bun or any toppings.

Calories: Approx. 240 kcal
Fat: 14g
Protein: 26g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Sodium: 510mg

Disclaimer: Nutrition is estimated and will vary based on the fat percentage of the ground chicken used.

Healthy Swaps and Variations

This healthy recipe is easy to customize.

Make it Gluten-Free: Simply serve the burger patty on a gluten-free bun or wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a “protein style” burger.
Add More Veggies: For extra nutrients and moisture, add 21 cup of finely grated zucchini (with the excess water squeezed out) or finely chopped mushrooms to the burger mixture.
Cheese it Up: For a cheeseburger, add a slice of your favorite cheese (provolone, Swiss, and white cheddar are great with chicken) on top of the patties during the last minute of cooking and cover the pan to melt.
Different Herbs: Experiment with different dried herbs. Dried dill or oregano would also be delicious in this mix.

Serving Suggestions

A great burger deserves great companions.

Classic Combo: Serve with a side of sweet potato fries or a simple garden salad.
The “California” Burger: Top your chicken burger with sliced avocado, a slice of Monterey Jack cheese, fresh lettuce, and tomato for a classic West Coast vibe.
Spicy & Creamy: A smear of spicy sriracha mayo or a dollop of pesto aioli can elevate this burger to a whole new level.
Personalized Tip: My go-to combination is a toasted brioche bun, a juicy chicken patty, a thick slice of Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and a generous amount of sautéed mushrooms. It’s pure savory perfection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-mixing the Meat: This is the most critical mistake. Mix the ground chicken and seasonings with a light hand and stop as soon as everything is incorporated. Over-mixing develops the proteins too much, resulting in a tough, dense burger.
Pressing the Patties: Never press down on your burger patties with a spatula while they are cooking! This squeezes out all the juices and is a guaranteed path to a dry burger.
Using High Heat: Unlike a beef burger that can be seared at high heat, ground chicken benefits from a more gentle, medium-low to medium heat. This allows the center to cook through completely by the time the outside is beautifully golden brown.
Skipping the Seasoning: Ground chicken is a lean protein and needs help in the flavour department. Don’t be shy with the salt, pepper, and dried herbs, as they are essential for a delicious final product.

Storing and Reheating Tips

These chicken burgers are great for meal prep!

Storing Cooked Patties: Allow the cooked patties to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Prepping Uncooked Patties: You can form the patties, place them on a plate separated by sheets of wax paper, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Freezing: Freeze uncooked patties on a wax paper-lined baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be cooked directly from frozen; just add a few extra minutes of cooking time per side.

The Juicy Burger You’ve Been Waiting For

This easy chicken burger recipe delivers on its promise of a juicy, flavourful, and satisfying meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. Packed with simple seasonings and the clever addition of spinach for moisture, these burgers are tender, healthy, and anything but boring. They are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a healthy weekend barbecue, and for anyone who believes a burger doesn’t have to be beef to be absolutely incredible.

We are so excited for you to try this recipe and redefine what a chicken burger can be! Let us know your favorite topping combinations in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a rating. Subscribe for more easy and healthy recipes!

FAQs

Q1: How do I know when my chicken burger is cooked through?

The safest and most accurate way is to use a meat thermometer. A chicken burger is fully cooked and safe to eat when its internal temperature reaches 165∘F (74∘C). Visually, the juices should run clear when the center is pierced.

Q2: Can I cook these on an outdoor grill?

Yes! To cook on a BBQ, preheat your grill to medium heat and make sure the grates are clean and well-oiled to prevent sticking. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, with the lid closed, until cooked through.

Q3: Why are my chicken burgers falling apart?

This can happen if the mixture is too wet or not mixed enough to bind. This recipe uses the natural proteins and the moisture from the spinach to bind. If you find your mixture is still too loose (it can vary based on the chicken), you can add 2-3 tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs or an egg yolk to help hold it together.

Q4: Can I add breadcrumbs or an egg to this recipe?

You certainly can. While this recipe is designed to be juicy without them, adding an egg yolk can add richness, and adding a few tablespoons of breadcrumbs can help bind the mixture if it feels too wet.

Q5: What’s the best kind of ground chicken to use?

For the juiciest burger, use ground chicken that is not labeled “extra lean” or “99% lean.” This type of ground chicken typically includes a mix of thigh and breast meat, which has a slightly higher fat content and results in a more moist and flavourful burger.