Spicy Chicken Burgers made with feta are the most delicious dinner for summer. They're amazing at BBQs, especially loaded with toppings and 100% gluten-free.
Summertime calls for grilled dinners, and burgers are a classic. Yes you can buy them frozen from the store, but they're surprisingly easy to make at home- and so much more delicious!
If you're a fan of my turkey feta meatballs, you will fall in love with my spicy chicken burgers. They have a ground chicken base, with lots of flavourful additions like feta, jalapeno, green onions and lime juice. Stacked in a fluffy bun with some toppings and a side salad, it's a dinner that screams summer.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Lean protein. Beef burgers absolutely have their place (I eat them too), but I love using ground chicken when I want a source of lean protein.
- No oven required. These spicy chicken burgers can be grilled or pan cooked on the stove.
- Gluten-free. Burgers can be tricky since they often use flour or breadcrumbs to bind. These chicken burgers are completely gluten-free if you have Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.
Ingredients
Ground chicken. This is a great lean source of protein in these chicken burgers. If you don't prefer chicken, another type of ground meat is suitable.
Spices. Ground cumin, salt, black pepper, paprika and garlic powder are the only spices you will need.
Jalapeno. I recommend fresh jalapeno for the most flavour. Just be sure to avoid touching your eyes when dicing, and don't forget to remove the seeds.
Lime juice. For a burst of freshness! I always recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice if it is available to you.
Green onions. This adds some freshness and a mild onion flavour. It can also be swapped for another fresh herb if you prefer.
Feta cheese. A little salt pairs perfectly with the kick in these spicy chicken burgers. I like using feta cheese stored in brine for the freshest most authentic flavour.
To serve:
Toppings: I like to go with classic toppings like red onion, butter lettuce, hot house tomatoes and avocado, however you can get as creative as you like here/
Sauces: I usually opt for a store bought chipotle mayonnaise (like this one) to keep it simple, but any creamy sauce such as my green goddess sauce, red lentil hummus or even my tahini garlic spread will work great.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
Make the chicken patty mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground chicken, and all burger ingredients. Mix well.
Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal sized balls. Gently press with your palms to flatten into about ¾-inch thick chicken patties.
Grill over medium-high heat (around 400 degrees F) for 5-8 minutes per side or until burgers are cooked through and a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F. See FAQs for stovetop instructions.
Add chicken patty to a bun and top with chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, red onion and avocado.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: the chicken burger is naturally gluten-free, however serve it on a gluten-free bun.
To make dairy-free: skip the feta cheese and replace it with a dairy free cheese alternative if you prefer.
To make nut-free: this recipe is naturally nut-free.
Switching up ingredients? Try these:
- Ground chicken: you can use any ground meat of choice ie. turkey
- For extra heat: add 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce into the mix and 1 tablespoon additional jalapenos
- For a bit of tang: add diced pickles into the burgers
Feel free to get creative with the toppings! Some other ideas include:
- Mediterranean: top with sun dried tomatoes, whipped feta cheese and spinach
- Bacon and cheddar: top with cooked bacon, melted cheddar cheese and pickles
- Green goddess: top with my avocado green goddess dressing, fresh sprouts, lettuce and red onion
- Apple: top with thinly sliced apples (or pears!) and brie cheese
Equipment
- Grill or stovetop
- Mixing bowl
Storage
Once cooked, these spicy chicken burgers can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze before cooking: shape the burgers and place them in an airtight freeer friendly bag separated with a piece of parchment paper between layers. These will stay fresh for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can cook from frozen (the cook time may increase slightly) or allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge.
To freeze after cooking: allow the chicken burgers to cool completely before placing them in an airtight bag, using parchment paper to separate the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the microwave or stovetop.
Top Tips for Success
These chicken burgers are a great base to get creative with! The jalapeno and spices add a touch of spice, however you can add extra heat by adding 1 teaspoon of sriracha sauce in the ground chicken mixture and 1 tablespoon additional jalapenos.
Frequently Asked Questions
They aren't overpoweringly spicy! I’m someone who likes enough heat to taste it, but I never want it to be overpowering the other flavors in the dish. For these burgers that was my goal; you will taste a little spice initially but it will quickly be replaced with the blend of other flavours in the burger. For more spice, add 1 teaspoon of sriracha into the chicken mix and 1 tablespoon additional jalapenos.
These are a great source of lean protein and if you pair them with a bun for carbohydrates all you need is a vegetable. For a super easy dinner, I love using a bagged salad mixture and adding additional lettuce and chopped veggies! Another fun veggie option are my air fryer carrot fries.
More Summer Recipes
Here's some of my favourite recipes to make during the summer (or all year!):
- Greek Smashed Turkey Burger Pitas
- Loaded BBQ Chicken Flatbread
- Fresh Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Orzo Pesto Salad
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these spicy chicken burgers, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Spicy Feta Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon diced jalapeno seeds removed
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 green onions sliced (both the whites and greens)
- ¼ cup feta cheese
For serving:
- 4 hamburger buns
- Chipotle mayonnaise or sauce of choice
- Sliced red onion
- Sliced avocado
- Lettuce
- Sliced tomatoes
Instructions
- Make the chicken patty mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground chicken, and all burger ingredients. Mix well.
- Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal sized balls. Gently press with your palms to flatten into about ¾-inch thick chicken patties.
BBQ instructions:
- Grill over medium-high heat (around 400 degrees F) for 5-8 minutes per side or until burgers are cooked through and a meat thermometer reads 165F.
Stovetop instructions:
- Brush the bottom of a large pan with a thin layer of olive oil (about 2 teaspoons) and set over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, arrange the burgers in the skillet without touching. Cook until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, then flip and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
Assemble the chicken burgers:
- Add chicken patty to a bun and top with chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, red onion and avocado.
Jess CG says
An easy and delicious weeknight meal. I doubled the cumin and garlic and it was great!
Sue says
Awesome recipe! Followed exactly and was so yummy!! Saved to my favorites!