Spicy Grilled Ground Chicken Burgers with Avocado and Salsa

Introduction

This grilled ground chicken burger recipe is a flavorful twist on your typical burger night. Made with taco seasoning, garlic, and topped with creamy avocado, spicy jalapeños, and melty pepperjack cheese, it brings the heat in all the right ways. It’s lighter than traditional beef burgers but still juicy, satisfying, and perfect for grilling season.

Inspiration

General Tips

Use ground chicken with a bit of fat for juicier burgers—ultra-lean ground chicken can dry out. Don’t overmix the ingredients; it can make the patties tough. Lightly oil your grill grate and make sure it’s hot before adding the patties to prevent sticking. Toasted whole wheat buns hold up best under all those delicious toppings, and adding salsa right before serving boosts both flavor and moisture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s bold, fast, and customizable. The ground chicken gets a flavor boost from taco seasoning and garlic, while the pepperjack cheese melts beautifully over the top. Avocado cools down the spice and adds creaminess, and salsa ties it all together. You can swap the toppings or use it as a bun-less burger for a low-carb option. Whether you’re hosting or meal-prepping, this recipe is a go-to winner.

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Grill Prep Tips for Perfect Chicken Patties

A few prep tricks go a long way in ensuring juiciness and grill success:

Preheat and clean:

• Let your grill heat for at least 10 minutes on high.
• Scrub the grates and oil with high smoke point oil (canola, avocado).

Avoid overmixing:

• Combine ingredients until just combined. Overworking the meat makes #dry burgers.

Shape with a dimple:

• Press a 1″ diameter dimple in the center of each patty to prevent puffing.

Chill patties:

• Refrigerate shaped patties for 15–20 minutes before grilling—they hold moisture better.

Use a meat thermometer:

• Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F—this ensures safe, juicy meat.

Double-flip technique:

• Flip once when edges are set; avoid pressing patties to retain juices.

With these prep tips, your burgers will be juicy, evenly cooked, and full of flavor every time.

How Long to Grill?

To achieve perfectly juicy spicy grilled chicken burgers, getting the timing right ensures both texture and flavor are spot on. Grill your patties for 5–8 minutes per side over medium-high heat (around 375–400°F). If your grill includes a temperature gauge, aim for 165°F internal temp, which is the USDA-recommended doneness for poultry.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Preheating: Give your grill a full 10 minutes to properly heat up before oiling the grate.
• First side (5–6 min): Cook patties with the lid closed. Look for grill marks and slight browning around edges before flip.
• Second side (5–8 min): Add cheese during the last 1–2 minutes to melt it perfectly.
• Resting: Once off the grill, let each patty rest for 2–3 minutes under foil. This lets the juices redistribute, keeping the burger moist.

Quick stovetop alternative: Use medium-high heat on a grill pan or skillet. Cook for a total of 12–14 minutes, flipping once.

By following these timing steps, your burgers will be browned on the outside and tender inside—without sacrificing juiciness or flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

Feel free to make these burgers your own with simple substitutions and tasty variations:

Protein swaps:

• Use ground turkey for a milder taste.
• Try ground chicken thigh for more fat and juiciness.
• Substitute with lean ground pork or turkey/chicken mix for added flavor.

Spice adjustments:

• Use homemade taco seasoning with cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
• Add heat with cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes.
• Try Mexican-style burger by adding chopped cilantro and lime zest.

Cheese options:

• Swap pepperjack with pepper cheddar, Monterey Jack, or sharp cheddar for different flavor profiles.
• Go vegan with a plant-based cheese slice.

Topper ideas:

• Use guacamole instead of avocado slices for creamy richness.
• Add pickled onions or fresh pico de gallo for acidity.
• Use Greek yogurt or chipotle mayo in place of salsa.

Bun swaps:

• Lettuce wraps for a low-carb twist.
• Whole wheat or brioche buns for more texture.
• Use a taco shell or tortilla for a taco-burger mashup.

These swaps let you enjoy customization without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Why Ground Chicken Is Better Than Beef

Choosing ground chicken over beef offers nutritional and culinary advantages:

• Lower in saturated fat and calories than ground beef.
• Lean protein supports muscle maintenance and fullness.
• Versatile taste, especially when spiced, pairs well with global flavors.
• Easier to digest for those with sensitive stomachs.

For those aiming to trim fat or boost protein intake, ground chicken burgers offer a delicious, adaptable alternative without sacrificing enjoyment.

Serve Chicken Burgers with Summer Sides

Pair your spicy grilled chicken burgers with vibrant, seasonally fresh sides for a nostalgic summer cookout:

• Grilled corn on the cob: Brush with garlic butter and herbs.
• Sweet potato fries: Baked or air-fried with paprika and a squeeze of lime.
• Crunchy slaw: Use red cabbage, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of honey.
• Watermelon feta salad: Cubed watermelon, crumbled feta, mint, and balsamic glaze.
• Mexican street corn salad (esquites): Charred corn kernels, mayo, lime juice, cotija cheese, cilantro, chili powder.

For lighter options, serve a fruit salad, cucumber-tomato salad, or quinoa tabbouleh. Your burger becomes the star, while colorful, flavorful sides complete the plate and complement the spice.

Healthy Burger Inspiration Board

Looking for fresh, healthy burger ideas? Here are crowd-pleasing options to explore:

• Greek-style chicken burgers with spinach, feta, and tzatziki on whole wheat buns.
• Southwest black bean turkey burgers topped with avocado and pico de gallo.
• Mushroom Swiss turkey burgers with sautéed onions and melted Swiss cheese.
• Salmon-burger patties flavored with dill and lemon zest.
• Veggie-lentil burgers packed with roasted vegetables and chickpeas.

These variations expand your cooking repertoire, helping you make flavorful, healthy burger bowls any night of the week.

Leftovers and Storage

To keep your grilled chicken burgers as delicious the next day, follow these storage guidelines:

Uncooked patties:

• Refrigerate up to 24 hours, or freeze up to 1 month with wax paper layers.

Cooked burgers:

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in a 300°F oven or toaster oven for 7–10 minutes to retain juiciness.
• Avoid microwaving—they can dry out quickly.

Leftover toppings:

• Store avocado slices separately in olive oil or lime juice to prevent browning.
• Keep salsa and cheese in sealed containers in the fridge up to 4 days.

Meal prep tips:

• Place patties on salad greens or grain bowls to create ready-to-go lunches.
• Freeze cooked burgers, then reheat over medium-low heat until warmed through.

These tips help maintain flavor, texture, and variety in your meals.

FAQs

Can I cook these on a stovetop?
Yes! Use a nonstick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat and cook for about 6–7 minutes per side.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can shape the patties and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before grilling.

Is ground turkey a good substitute?
Absolutely. Ground turkey works similarly but has a slightly leaner flavor.

What are good side dishes?
Grilled corn, sweet potato fries, or a crunchy slaw pair perfectly with these burgers.

Can I freeze the patties?
Yes. Freeze uncooked patties with wax paper between layers. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.

Conclusion

These spicy ground chicken burgers are everything you love about taco night—on a bun. They’re juicy, spicy, cheesy, and endlessly versatile. You’ll love how easy they are to throw on the grill and how well they suit weeknight dinners, backyard BBQs, or meal prep alike. One bite and you’ll never look at ground chicken the same way again.

For a plain ground chicken recipe, check out this Make Ground Chicken at Home
from Whole food for 7.