BBQ Chicken Burger
Stuffed with cheddar cheese and basted in barbecue sauce, these BBQ Chicken Burgers are incredibly juicy and perfectly flavored.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 24 ounces ground chicken or ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce + more for brushing
- 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese diced into tiny cubes or shredded
- 1 cup homemade coleslaw optional
- 4 buns
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium-high heat. Alternatively, heat a nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates or pan with oil to keep the burgers from sticking.
- Place the ground chicken into a large mixing bowl and add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, and 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (cubed or grated). Use your hands to gently combine the seasonings and cheese into the meat until evenly combined, but use caution not to overmix.
- Score the meat into 4 sections. And then shape each section into a patty that is about ¾ to 1-inch thick and slightly larger than the bottom of your burger bun.
- Using your thumb, gently press an indentation into the center of the patty, about ¼-inch deep.
- Place the patties onto the preheated grill or pan and cook for 5 minutes, undisturbed. Flip and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 162-165℉ (72-74℃). The temperature will rise a few degrees as the burgers rest.
- Remove the burgers to a plate and brush each side with additional barbecue sauce. Tent with foil and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Serve the burgers on buns with coleslaw and additional BBQ sauce or as desired.
Video
Notes
Type of BBQ Sauce: Use a sweet and tangy, thick BBQ sauce for best results. You will need about ½ cup total for flavoring the burgers and brushing with sauce.
Note on Ground Chicken: Use dark meat, white meat, or a combination of both. For the best flavor and moisture, choose a blend that includes a bit of dark meat.
To Smoke Chicken Burgers: Preheat Smoker to 300℉. Add in chips and let smoke for 5 minutes. Smoke burgers for approximately 40 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 162℉. Remove the burgers and baste with barbecue sauce, then tent. Rest for 10 minutes to reach 165℉, and then serve.
Make Your Own Ground Chicken: Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) into chunks, then freeze for 10-15 minutes. Pulse in a food processor fitted with an S-blade 3-5 times until the meat begins to break down. Be careful not to over-process.
Storage: Chicken Burgers are best if consumed immediately after preparation. If you have leftover chicken burgers, let them cool, then store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat over low heat in a dry skillet and then brush with additional BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 677mg | Potassium: 953mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 184IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 2mg
