Cheesy Bacon Smash Chicken Burger

Growing up, chicken burgers in our house meant those frozen patties from the grocery store. My mom would bake them in the oven until they were, well, edible – but that’s about it. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered what I’d been missing.

That’s when I learned about smash burgers, and more specifically, smash chicken burgers. The technique is simple – just press the meat down on a hot griddle until it’s thin and crispy around the edges. Unlike those frozen patties from my childhood, these burgers turn out juicy on the inside with lots of browned, flavorful bits that make all the difference.

What Kind of Ground Chicken Should I Use?

For chicken burgers, you’ll want to pay attention to which type of ground chicken you’re picking up at the store. Regular ground chicken is usually made from a mix of white and dark meat, which is ideal for burgers since it has enough fat to keep them juicy. If you see packages labeled “ground chicken breast,” you might want to skip those – they’re too lean and can make your burgers dry. A good tip is to check the label for something around 90-93% lean, which gives you the perfect balance of lean meat and fat for juicy, flavorful burgers. If your ground chicken seems a bit wet when you open the package, pat it dry with paper towels before mixing in your seasonings.

Options for Substitutions

This tasty burger recipe has plenty of room for swaps to make it your own:

• Ground chicken: You can swap ground chicken with ground turkey or even ground pork. Just keep in mind that turkey might be a bit drier, so you may want to add an extra tablespoon of oil to the mix.
• Breadcrumbs: Out of breadcrumbs? Crushed crackers, panko, or even rolled oats work great. If you’re going low-carb, try using almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
• Bell pepper: Any color bell pepper works here, or try diced carrots or zucchini for a different twist. Just make sure to dice them really small.
• Cajun seasoning: No Cajun seasoning? Mix equal parts paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, with a pinch of cayenne and oregano.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use any melty cheese – pepper jack adds nice heat, provolone keeps it mild, or Swiss brings a nutty flavor.
• Brioche buns: Regular hamburger buns, potato rolls, or even English muffins make good substitutes. For a low-carb option, try lettuce wraps.
• Sriracha: Any hot sauce works here – try chipotle sauce for smokiness or regular hot sauce for heat. Not into spice? Regular mayo or honey mustard are great alternatives.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making chicken burgers is preventing them from becoming dry and crumbly – the secret is to avoid overworking the meat mixture when combining ingredients, as this can make your patties tough and dense. Another common mistake is pressing down too hard on the patties while cooking, which squeezes out all the juices; instead, press them down just once when they first hit the pan to achieve that perfect “smash” effect. To ensure your burgers stay juicy, resist the urge to flip them multiple times – wait until you see the edges getting crispy and golden (about 4-5 minutes) before flipping just once. For the best texture and flavor, make sure your ground chicken is cold when forming the patties, and don’t skip the egg and breadcrumbs as they help hold everything together while keeping the meat moist.

What to Serve With Smash Chicken Burgers?

These spicy chicken smash burgers are begging for some classic burger sides that can handle their bold flavors! French fries are the obvious choice – whether they’re regular, sweet potato, or even seasoned with some cajun spices to match the burger’s kick. A creamy coleslaw provides a nice cooling contrast to the spiced patty, and the crunch adds a great texture difference. For a lighter option, a simple mixed green salad dressed with ranch or a tangy vinaigrette works great, or try some crispy pickle spears on the side for that perfect deli-style meal experience. If you’re feeding a crowd, putting out a bowl of kettle chips never disappoints!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Got leftover smash chicken burgers? Place the cooked patties in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the buns and toppings separately to keep everything fresh and prevent sogginess. The assembled burgers are best enjoyed right away!

Make Ahead: You can prep the chicken patties ahead of time! Mix the ground chicken with all the seasonings, form into balls, and store them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. This is super handy when you’re planning a cookout or want to get ahead on dinner prep.

Warm Up: To enjoy leftover patties, warm them in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through. Add the cheese during the last minute if you want it melty again. You can also zap them in the microwave for about 30 seconds, though the texture won’t be quite as nice as the skillet method.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 70-80 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 90-100 g

Ingredients

For the patties:

• 1 lb ground chicken (I use 93% lean ground chicken)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup red bell pepper (finely diced)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika (adds depth of flavor)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp green onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 tsp cajun seasoning

For cooking and assembly:

• 2 hamburger buns (toasted lightly)
• 4 slices cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar works best)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil

For the toppings:

• sliced red onion (thinly sliced for a milder bite)
• sriracha sauce
• mayonnaise (I like Hellmann’s mayonnaise)
• 2 bacon strips (cooked until crispy)

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Patty Mixture

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumb crumbs
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp diced green onion
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumb crumbs, finely chopped red bell pepper, diced green onion, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, and minced garlic.

Mix the ingredients together thoroughly until just combined.

Then, divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.

This ensures even patties with all flavors distributed.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken Patties

• 1 tbsp avocado oil or preferred oil
• patties from Step 1

Preheat avocado oil (or your preferred oil) in a skillet over medium heat.

Place the 4 chicken patty balls from Step 1 onto the hot skillet.

Use a spatula to smash each ball into a flat patty.

Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes, then flip them to the other side.

I find that pressing the patties gently with a spatula helps get crispy edges.

Step 3: Melt Cheese on Patties

• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• cooked chicken patties from Step 2

Once the patties have been flipped, place one slice of cheddar cheese on each.

Cover the skillet with a lid and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the patties are cooked through and the cheese is nicely melted.

Step 4: Toast and Prepare the Buns

• 2 hamburger buns (brioche, toasted, suggested)
• mayonnaise
• sriracha sauce

While the patties are cooking, lightly toast the brioche hamburger buns if desired.

Drizzle mayonnaise and sriracha sauce on the bottom half of each bun and use a butter knife to spread evenly.

This creates a flavorful base for your chicken burger.

For extra flavor, I sometimes add a sprinkle of cajun seasoning to the mayo.

Step 5: Assemble the Burgers

• cheesy chicken patties from Step 3
• sliced red onion
• 2 bacon strips, cooked and halved
• prepared buns with mayo and sriracha from Step 4

Place two cheesy chicken patties from Step 3 on the sauce-spread bottom half of each bun.

Top the patties with sliced red onion and two strips of crispy bacon.

Finish by placing the top half of the bun over the filling.

Serve immediately and enjoy!