Find out how to make juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked chicken burgers every time! These are stacked with savory chicken patties on toasted brioche buns and topped with melty cheese. Add all your favorite burger toppings for the best summer meal!.
Tasty chicken burgers piled high with your favorite toppings scream summer! And this recipe is going to be your new favorite! These are easy to make with everyday ingredients and they taste just as good as a beefy hamburger! You only need about 10 minutes prep time and 10 minutes cook time, so you can have dinner ready in 20 minutes, talk about winning the dinner game!.
Also, there’s no grill required for this chicken burger recipe. I’m giving you instructions for making these on the stovetop, too! Meaning no waiting for the grill to preheat, and you can make these 365 days a year, even on those cold winter days.
They’re the perfect thing to make for summer parties and cookouts, but this is also a great recipe for busy weeknights with the minimal prep and short cook time. If you’ve never tried a burger made with ground chicken, or if you normally opt for the pre-formed patties, I highly recommend trying these. You won’t be disappointed! They have the best texture and are fresh, light and packed with flavor!.
Chicken burgers have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional beef burgers. Their versatility, nutritional profile, and delicious flavor make them a go-to choice for backyard cookouts, weeknight dinners, or meal prepping. However, to enjoy safe and properly cooked chicken burgers, it’s important to understand the ideal internal temperature they should reach. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cooking chicken burgers, from recommended temperatures to techniques for juicy patties.
Why Temperature Matters for Chicken Burgers
When cooking chicken burgers, temperature is probably the most important thing. To get rid of any harmful bacteria, like Salmonella or Campylobacter, chicken needs to be cooked all the way through. Not cooking chicken enough can be very bad for your health, so following the right temperatures isn’t just about getting the best texture; it’s also about making sure everyone stays safe.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that chicken burgers should be at least 165°F (74°C) on the inside to be safe. Possible pathogens are killed at this temperature, so the chicken is safe to eat. Color alone isn’t always a good sign; ground chicken that’s been cooked to 165°F can still look pink. A food thermometer is the most accurate way to tell when something is done.
Recommended Internal Temperatures
While 165°F is the USDA-established safe minimum, many chefs and cooking experts recommend slightly higher temperatures for best results when cooking chicken burgers:
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Safe minimum temperature is 165°F (74°C); chicken is fully cooked at this point but may still have a little pink to it.
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170°F (77°C) – Provides tender, juicy burgers by retaining more moisture; chicken achieves ideal doneness
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175°F (79°C) – Burgers are fully cooked through with no pink coloration; great for those who prefer very well-done poultry.
For food safety, 165°F is fine, but cooking to 170°F to 175°F can bring out the most flavor and moisture. It comes down to personal preference. The key is using an instant-read thermometer to eliminate guesswork.
Proper Thermometer Use
While visual cues can provide some guidance, a food thermometer is the most reliable way to determine doneness for chicken burgers. Follow these steps for accuracy:
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Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest portion of the patty, taking care to avoid touching any bones.
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Wait 10-15 seconds after insertion to allow the temperature reading to stabilize.
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Verify the readout reaches the minimum 165°F or your target temperature.
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Check temperature towards the end of cooking time and again once removed from heat.
Investing in a high-quality instant-read digital thermometer can make monitoring temperatures easy. Dial-faced analog versions work too, though they can be slower and more difficult to read.
Cooking Methods
Chicken burgers can be prepared using various cooking techniques. The method you choose impacts cook times, but the end temperature goal remains the same. Here are some popular cooking options:
Grilling – A summertime favorite, grilled chicken burgers have irresistible smoky flavor. Preheat your grill to medium-high, around 375-400°F. Cook burgers over direct heat for 5-7 minutes per side.
Baking – For indoor or oven cooking, bake at 375°F until the internal temp hits 165-175°F, about 15-20 minutes. Use a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.
Pan-Frying – In a skillet over medium-high heat, fry chicken burgers with a teaspoon of oil for 4-6 minutes per side. Watch the temperature closely.
Air-Frying – Modern air fryers provide a healthier fried taste. Cook at 375°F, flipping once, until done, about 10-12 minutes.
Slow-Cooking – For deeply flavored burgers, slow cook on low for 3-4 hours in a crockpot with sauce or gravy.
Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Burgers
Achieving optimal doneness temperatures is crucial, but proper technique also plays a key role in making chicken burgers juicy and packed with flavor:
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Use thigh meat – Chicken thighs have more fat and moisture than breasts. Opt for ground thigh or a thigh/breast blend.
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Add binders – Lightly mixing in breadcrumbs or egg helps bind moisture. Grated onions or cheese also introduce flavorful fat.
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Avoid over-mixing – Gently mix just until blended. Overworking the meat can lead to dense, rubbery burgers.
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Make indented center – Form patties with a slight divot in the middle to prevent puffing and promote even cooking.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coating patties with oil or melted butter seals in moisture during cooking.
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Allow resting time – Let cooked burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Common Mistakes
It’s easy to commit some errors that’ll ruin your hard work crafting the perfect chicken burger. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:
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Undercooking – Not verifying temperature with a thermometer can lead to undercooked, unsafe chicken. Always check!
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Pressing patties – Flattening burgers as they cook squeezes out juices, drying them out. Let them cook undisturbed.
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Rushing resting – Skipping resting time results in moisture loss as juices spill out when cut into too soon.
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Cooking frozen – Burgers must be fully thawed before cooking to ensure even heating to a safe internal temp.
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Reheating improperly – Microwaving leads to uneven reheating. Use ovens or stovetops to reheat burgers to 165°F.
Pairings & Serving Suggestions
Once perfectly cooked, chicken burgers deserve equally tasty accompaniments! Consider these ideas:
Buns: Brioche, potato, pretzel, Hawaiian rolls, or lettuce wraps
Cheese: Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or bleu
Toppings: Avocado, caramelized onions, mushrooms, slaw, fried egg
Sides: Sweet potato fries, grilled veggies, side salad, or oven wedges
Sauces: Pesto mayo, barbecue, ranch, honey mustard, or chipotle aioli
Take your chicken burger experience over the top by getting creative with flavors, toppings, and bun choices to complement the star of the show!
The Takeaway on Cooking Chicken Burgers
Perfectly cooked chicken burgers start with understanding the right internal temperature. Heating chicken patties to a minimum of 165°F eliminates safety concerns while higher temps up to 175°F lend added moisture. Monitoring temperatures with a food thermometer is highly recommended. Combine this knowledge with flavor-building techniques, and you’re sure to have a juicy, delicious chicken burger everyone will love.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- There are no dull chicken burgers here; these are so tasty! The chicken patties are perfectly seasoned and have extras that keep them moist and tender.
- There are a lot of cooking tips in this recipe, so you can make these on the stove or on the grill and still enjoy them. You can satisfy your burger cravings all year long!
- Quick and easy: These are quick and easy to make! In about 20 minutes, you can have a thick, satisfying burger ready.
This chicken burgers recipe is simple and straightforward. We’re using basic ingredients that will give these burgers SO much delicious flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground chicken: I suggest using 2093% lean ground chicken (or turkey) so that the patty still has a bit of fat to stay juicy. Don’t use extra-lean ground meat; it’s more likely to dry out.
- Things you can add: For this recipe, you’ll need onion, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and salt. All of these spices and extras will add a lot of flavor and moisture to the burgers and help them stay together.
- Buns: You can use any kind of hamburger buns you want, even gluten-free ones. If you want a low-carb option, you can wrap your burger in lettuce. You can also serve them as a protein added to salad greens. I like Pepperidge Farm Bakery Classics Buns. But when I want to be fancy, we use soft brioche buns. Yum!.
- Add your favorite toppings, like ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, cheese, avocado, or any of your other favorites. And don’t forget the burger sauce for major deliciousness!.
One of the best things about making burgers is that you can easily change them up to your taste preferences and include what you have on hand. Here are some options:
- Do not grill your burgers if you can not or do not want to. Instead, cook them on the stove. To make it, just heat up a cast iron, nonstick, or grill pan over medium-low heat and add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. When the pan is hot, cook the burgers for three to five minutes on each side, or until the middle is no longer pink.
- Ground meat: Make your patties with any favorite ground meat. You can use beef, lamb, pork, or bison instead of chicken or turkey.
- My go-to cheese for a cheeseburger is cheddar or American cheese, but pepper jack, Colby, blue cheese, Swiss, or feta cheese are also tasty.
- Choose your favorite buns or lettuce wraps and add fresh veggies like tomato, lettuce, red onion, avocado, or even cilantro. For a simple meal, just use ketchup, mustard, secret sauce, or mayo.
- 1 pound ground chicken (ground turkey works great too)
- 1/2 medium onion, diced very fine
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
- You can add lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado, red onion, mayo, ketchup, or mustard as a topping.
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- Add the egg, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Dijon, salt, and pepper to the ground chicken, onion, breadcrumbs, and butter in a large bowl. Stir to combine (I use my hands). If you mix the ingredients too much, you might end up with a tough burger.
- Shape the chicken mixture into 4 patties. Make a hole in the middle of each patty with your thumb so that they stay flat while they cook and don’t puff up. Warm up an indoor or outdoor grill, a grill pan, or a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.
- When the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165ºF, they are done. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side.
- When the burgers are done, put them on the buns and top them with whatever you like. Or serve in a salad.
- You can freeze your patties for 10 to 15 minutes if you don’t think they are firm enough to go on the grill.
- Bring the heat of the grill up to about 450ºF. Cook burgers until the internal temperature is 165ºF.
- Do not let your burger stick. Make sure that the grill grates are clean and well oiled.
- Do not flip your burger until it has been cooked for at least 4 minutes. They might fall apart if you flip them over too soon.
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When you’re craving a junior chicken but don’t want to go to McDonald’s
FAQ
What temperature are chicken burgers done at?
Ground chicken is fully cooked when the center of the thickest burger reaches 165°F (74°C), per FoodSafety.gov.
What is the temperature of a cooked chicken burger?
Cleaning and getting ready CategoriesTemperatureBeef, veal, and lambPoultry, such as chicken, duck, and turkeyFrozen raw breaded chicken products, like nuggets, fingers, strips, and burgers74°C (165°F)Ground poultry, like burgers, meatballs, and sausages74°C (165°F)
Is 145 okay for a burger?
Anyone can use a meat thermometer and make a perfect burger. You don’t have to temp every burger, just temp a range of burgers throughly the grill. For a normal burger, medium in US is pretty normal (140-145F) and for children or pregnant woman well done is recommended (160-165F).
How do I know when chicken burgers are done?
Form mixture into eight patties. Cook on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Nov 22, 2024.