Quick Look: Grilled Chicken Caesar Burgers
- ✔️ Juicy Chicken Caesar Burgers loaded with all the flavors of a classic Caesar salad.
- ✔️ Made with ground chicken and parmesan cheese for a flavorful, tender burger.
- ✔️ Topped with romaine, Caesar dressing, and crunchy croutons for the perfect bite.
- ✔️ Ready in about 30 minutes and easy enough for busy weeknights.
- ✔️ Cook on the grill or stovetop any time of year.
- ✔️ Perfect for cookouts, meal prep, and family dinners.
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Ever Made a Smash Burger Taco?
If not, now is the time! Bring these flavors to a flattop griddle and make a Chicken Caesar Smash Burger Taco or check our our round-up of our 7 Favorite Smash Burger Taco recipes!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- ground chicken – just grab a pound of your favorite ground chicken at the grocery store.
- white onion – option to swap out for a sweet yellow onion, if you prefer.
- frozen butter – this is our secret ingredient for keeping it so juicy! We just keep a stick of butter in the freezer so it is always ready for tossing in a burger mix.
- mayo – adds a bit of flavor and some more moisture to keep things juicy!
- parmesan cheese – if you want to keep this dairy free you have the option to omit or find a dairy free option.
- bun of choice – just grab your favorite! Option to get whole wheat, gluten-free, or a simple lettuce bun.
- toppings: we topped this one with romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, parmesan cheese, & croutons because it is a chicken caesar burger after all, but you could top it any way you want.
How To Make A Chicken Caesar Burger
Step 1: Begin this easy recipe by shredding the onion and the cold butter. Be sure to give the onion a good squeeze in a paper towel to remove the excess moisture.
Step 2: Put all of the burger ingredients in a large bowl and mix to fully combine.
Step 3: Form into four equal-sized patties and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate. Place a thumb-sized indent in the middle of each patty. The pan can go in the freezer for about 20 minutes – this helps them become less sticky and easier to grill.
Step 4: Place the burger patties on a preheated grill and cook 5-6 minutes per side. If using cheese, place the slices on during the last few minutes of cooking.
Step 5: Enjoy with all the toppings!
What We Learned Testing this Recipe
- Shredded butter adds richness and flavor to the lean ground chicken, helping create a more balanced and satisfying burger.
- A combination of shredded onion and mayonnaise keeps the patties moist and juicy throughout cooking.
- Ground chicken can be very sticky, so freezing the patties briefly before grilling makes them much easier to handle and prevents them from falling apart.
- Avoid overcooking. Use an instant-read thermometer and cook just until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure the burgers stay tender and juicy.
- Don’t skip toasting the buns. A few minutes on the grill adds texture and flavor that takes these Chicken Caesar Burgers to the next level.
What to Serve it With: Make It A Meal
You could simply serve this burger with some grilled potato wedges, grilled sweet potatoes, or a simple caesar side salad – you already have the ingredients out, so why not!? I also love a good a good Mexican Street Corn Salad with this recipe as well!
Meal Prep: Make Ahead Burger Patties
Easily prep this chicken burger recipe ahead of time. Depending on how much time you have, you can either:
- make the patties, place parchment paper in between each one, and place them all in a freezer safe bag to store for up to 3 months.
- make the chicken mixture in a bowl and cover in the fridge.
- form the patties and store then in an airtight container in the fridge overnight.
Recipe FAQ
First, add the frozen grated butter. Those little bits of butter in the burger mixture really help to keep them nice and moist! Second, keep an eye on the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and do not overcook. Once they reach 160 degrees F in the middle, you want to take them off the grill and carryover cooking will continue to cook them as they rest.
Using a hot, greased gas grill, you will cook the patties for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temp of 160 degrees F (use a meat thermometer). A charcoal grill works too, just keep track of that internal temperature.
Other Burger Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
Burgers:
- ¼ cup white onion, grated with moisture squeezed out
- 2 tablespoons cold butter*, (regular or plant-based)
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 slices provolone cheese, sub white American or dairy free
Toppings:
- 4 hamburger buns of your choice, regular or gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon butter, only if grilling the buns
- romaine lettuce
- homemade caesar dressing, or dairy-free caesar dressing
- red onion, sliced
- parmesan cheese, shaved
- croutons, crushed
Instructions
- Grater: Place a cheese grater on top of 2-3 pieces of paper towel. Grate 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 grater to shred 2 tablespoons cold butter*.
- Burger Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the grated white onion, grated butter, 1 pound ground chicken, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons garlic, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Make Patties: Prepare a small parchment-lined baking sheet or plate. Divide burger mixture into 4 equal patties about ½ – ¾ inches thick on the baking sheet. Press down in the middle of each patty with your thumb to create an indent. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes (this ensures they be easy to lift and that they will hold their shape on the grill – don't skip this).
- Prep: Ensure grill grates are clean and preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill: Place burgers on the hot grill over direct heat and close the lid. Let cook 5-6 minutes per side or until they reach 165℉ internal temperature (use a meat thermometer). If using cheese, place on top during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Remove and let rest 5 minutes.
- Option to Grill Buns: if you want you can butter your burger buns on both sides and then place butter-side down on the grill for approx. 30-60 seconds or until they have nice gill marks. Carefully remove from the grill and serve with burgers. This can be done while burgers are resting for 5 minutes.
- Build Burgers: place a piece of lettuce on top of the bottom bun. Follow with Caesar Dressing, chicken burger, more Caesar Dressing, red onion, lettuce, parmesan cheese, crushed croutons and top bun.
- Serve: Enjoy right away with your favorite side dishes!
Notes
- *Cold Butter: you can use frozen butter OR just a stick of butter from the fridge will grate just fine.
- Gluten-Free: serve on a gluten-free bun and either omit the croutons or use a gluten-free crouton.
- Dairy-Free: use plant-based butter, a dairy-free alternative for the parmesan cheese, and a dairy-free caesar dressing.
- Make ahead: feel free to make the patties the day before. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: simply make the patties and place a piece of parchment between each one 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.
- nutritional info calculated includes the burger patty, cheese and a grilled bun – it will be altered depending upon which toppings you choose.
Jen says
This was a delicious burger! I love your recipes, always reliable for a tasty meal.
Erin says
Thank you so much, Jen!! So glad you are loving them 🙂 Thanks for coming back to leave a rating and review – I really appreciate it!
Liz Sipley says
I made this for my Caesar salad loving husband and kids and BAM 💥. We’ve got a hit that the whole family loved. Thanks, Erin!
Traci Putman says
I made it tonight and it was DELICIOUS!!!
megan says
What can i sub for liquid smoke?
Erin says
Hi Megan – there isn’t really a sub for liquid smoke, but you can omit if you need to!