Quick Look at this Caprese Chicken Burger
- Ready In: 22 minutes
- Serves: 4
- Protein: 29 grams per serving
- Main Ingredients: Ground chicken, fresh basil, mozzarella slices, tomato, and homemade balsamic glaze.
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free options
- Best For: summer grilling, tomato season, backyard cookout, 4th of July
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Why I Can’t Get Enough Of This Recipe
- The most juicy and tender chicken burger (thanks to our secret ingredients)!
- Love those caprese flavors, just like a tomato caprese salad.
- Cooked on the grill = minimal clean-up!
- A wonderfully fresh spin to the regular burger night!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Ground Chicken: Turn this into a caprese turkey burger by swapping chicken for ground turkey.
- Fresh Mozzarella Slices: These provide the best authentic caprese flavor, but swap with American cheese if that’s more your thing.
- Fresh Tomatoes: I love grabbing some garden-fresh heirloom tomatoes, but any kind will work!
- Balsamic Glaze: This is essentially the caprese burger sauce. Pick some up from the store or make our easy balsamic glaze recipe!
- Cold Butter: My secret ingredient to a perfectly juicy chicken burger that is never dry!
How To Make A Chicken Caprese Burger
Step 1 – Squeeze liquid out of grated onion.
Step 2 – Grate cold butter.
Step 3 – Combine the chicken burger mixture.
Step 4 – Form into patties with indent in the middle and let chill in the freezer (don’t skip this step it helps tackle the sticky-ground-chicken issue).
Pro Tip – Prevent the Burger Dome
Create a small indent in the middle of the burger patties to help them cook evenly. This gives the patty room to expand while cooking without getting a thick center and thin edges.
Step 3 – Grease grill grates to prevent sticking.
Step 4 – Grill chicken patties until cooked through.
Step 5 – Add mozzarella for the last 2-3 minutes of grill time.
Step 6 – Let patties rest and then build your burger!
Step 7 – Assemble burgers and enjoy!
What To Pair With A Chicken Caprese Burger
Finish off this perfectly grilled chicken burger with a drizzle of our sweet balsamic glaze (there are store-bought options, if you prefer). Enjoy with some fresh basil for an extra punch of flavor.
👉 Round out the meal with some side dishes, like a bacon ranch pasta salad, perfectly grilled asparagus, or grilled potato wedges!
Caprese Burger Toppings
Mozzarella, fresh basil, tomato, and balsamic glaze will provide you with classic caprese flavors. For something a bit different, top this burger with our homemade pesto or pesto aioli.
Other Caprese Inspired Recipes You Might Like
Ingredients
Burger Ingredients:
- ¼ cup white onion
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Buns + Toppings:
- hamburger buns of your choice, regular or gluten-free
- 8 fresh mozzarella slices
- 8 fresh tomato slices
- ½ cup fresh basil
- sweet homemade balsamic glaze, sub store-bought
Instructions
- Baking Sheet: Put a piece of parchment paper on a plate or baking sheet (and make sure you have room for it in your freezer). Set aside.
- Grate: Place a cheese grater on top of 2-3 pieces of paper towel. Grate the ¼ cup white onion on top of the paper towel. Use the paper towel to gently squeeze out as much of the excess moisture from the onion. Use the same cheese grater to shred 2 tablespoons cold butter.
- Burger Patties: Put the shredded onion and butter in a large bowl and add 1 pound ground chicken, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons garlic, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix to fully combine.
- Chill: Divide meat mixture into 4 equal patties about ½ – ¾ inches thick. Place them on the parchment lined baking sheet or plate and create an indent in the middle of each patty. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes to help patties keep their shape (don't skip this step).
- Prep: Ensure grill grates are clean and heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill: Remove patties from freezer. Take a piece of paper towel and put a little olive oil on it – hold it with a pair of tongs and rub the olive oil on the hot grill carefully. Place burgers on the grill over direct heat and close the lid. Let cook 5-6 minutes per side or until they reach 160℉ internal temperature.
- Add Cheese: Place fresh mozzarella slices on top of burgers during the last 2-3 minutes of cook time. Move burgers to indirect heat if you need a bit more time. Remove and let rest 5 minutes.
- Build burger: Place fresh basil on top of the bottom bun. Follow with chicken burger, tomato, balsamic glaze and top bun. Enjoy!
Notes
- *Frozen Butter – if you are looking to really keep these chicken burgers lean, you can definitely omit the butter BUT if you are just looking for a juicy chicken burger then definitely include this step!
- Make ahead: feel free to make the patties the day before. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: to make these ahead and freeze simply make patties and then place a piece of parchment between them as you stack. Place in a freezer-safe bag, label and place in freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight and then grill according to the instructions above.
- Alternative Toppings: For something a bit different, top this burger with our easy homemade pesto or pesto aioli recipe.
Nutrition
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Liz says
Caprese but make it a burger?! Brilliant. These were a hit at our last cookout.
Stacy says
Made the burger portion of this recipe with ground turkey and omitted the cheese & butter as a personal preference. These were still juicy and very refreshing in taste with just the right amount of lemon zest without it tasting like lemon in a burger.
I cooked these in the oven and would recommend anyone give these a go if you don’t have a grill handy.
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Stacy! Thanks for coming back to leave a review – I appreciate it!
Julie says
How much liquid smoke? It states to add to bowl on instructions but the measurement/item is not in the ingredient list.
Erin says
Hi Julie – oh gosh I am sorry about that – I used to call for liquid smoke in the recipe, but then got some feedback that it just didn’t jive well so I ended up omitting it, but I must have forgotten to remove it from the instructions. So you don’t need to add any (for reference I believe it originally called for about 1/4 teaspoon). Thanks!
Bridget says
The perfect summer chicken burger!!
Erin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed them!