Chicken burgers are a great alternative to beef, and can be grilled or cooked on a stovetop. They are leaner than beef and can be just as juicy and tasty. The key to a good chicken burger is to avoid overcooking and drying out the meat. Chicken burgers are usually cooked for around 10 minutes in total, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Prep time | 10-15 minutes |
Cook time | 7-10 minutes per side |
Total time | 18-25 minutes |
Internal temperature | 165°F |
What You'll Learn
How to prevent ground chicken burgers from falling apart
Ground chicken burgers are a delicious alternative to beef, but they can be a little more delicate and tricky to handle. Here are some tips to prevent your ground chicken burgers from falling apart:
Use the Right Tools
Before you start shaping your patties, make sure you have some wax or parchment paper to hand. These will make it easier to handle the patties without squashing or misshaping them.
Get the Consistency Right
The consistency of your chicken mixture is key to ensuring your burgers don't fall apart. Make sure your mixture is thick and pasty. If it's too wet, it will fall apart. If you're finding it too wet, add some more breadcrumbs. Remember, the mixture will firm up when chilled, so don't go overboard.
Don't Overwork the Meat
When mixing your chicken burger mixture, don't overwork it. Mix by hand, but only until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher burgers that are more likely to break apart.
Dimple the Centre
When forming your patties, make them at least 3/8-inch thick and add a dimple in the centre about the size of a quarter and 1/8-inch deep. This dimple will prevent the patty from puffing up and promote even cooking.
Keep Them Chilled
Before cooking your burgers, chill them in the fridge for 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes. This will help the patties firm up and make them less likely to fall apart during cooking.
Don't Flip Too Much
Once your burgers are on the grill or in the pan, try not to move or flip them too often. Let them cook undisturbed until they lift off the surface easily, which means the underside has set and they are ready to be flipped. Only flip them once if possible.
Oil Everything
Make sure to oil everything well—your grill grates, pans, utensils, and even your hands. This will help prevent the mixture from sticking and make it easier to handle.
Don't Make Them Too Thin
Don't make your patties too thin—3/8-inch thickness is the minimum. Thinner patties will be more likely to break apart.
Use a Meat Thermometer
The best way to ensure your burgers are cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. This will also help prevent overcooking, which can lead to dry and crumbly burgers.
Handle with Care
Ground chicken burgers are more "tender" than beef burgers, so handle them with care to prevent them from falling apart.
Perfectly Grilled Chicken Legs: Temperature Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
How long to grill ground chicken burgers for
Preparation
Before grilling your ground chicken burgers, there are a few steps you can take to ensure they stay together and cook evenly. Firstly, when forming the patties, it's a good idea to create a dimple in the centre of the burger by pressing down with your thumb. This will help the burgers cook evenly and prevent them from shrinking or puffing up. Some recipes also recommend making a slight depression with your thumb around the edges of the burger to ensure even cooking and prevent the patties from curling up at the sides.
Cooking Time
The cooking time for ground chicken burgers will depend on the heat of your grill and the thickness of your patties. Most recipes recommend grilling ground chicken burgers for around 4–5 minutes on one side and 4–5 minutes on the other side. However, it's important to note that the burgers are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check this. This will help ensure that your burgers are cooked through without being dry, as overcooked chicken burgers tend to be dry.
Tips for Grilling
When grilling ground chicken burgers, it's important not to flatten the burgers with a spatula while they're cooking, as this will cause them to lose their juices and become dry. It's also a good idea to oil the grill before heating it up to prevent the burgers from sticking. Additionally, if you don't think your patties are firm enough for the grill, you can place them in the freezer for about 10–15 minutes or in the refrigerator for about an hour before grilling.
Perfectly Grilled Chicken Legs: How Long at 350 Degrees?
You may want to see also
How to store ground chicken burgers
Storing your ground chicken burgers properly is essential to ensure they remain fresh and safe to eat. Here are some detailed, direct, and instructive guidelines on how to store them:
Refrigerating Ground Chicken Burgers:
- Storing Uncooked Patties: If you've prepared the ground chicken patties in advance and want to store them in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or cover them securely with plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to three days.
- Storing Leftover Cooked Burgers: You can also store leftover cooked ground chicken burgers in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminium foil or plastic wrap. Make sure to refrigerate the burgers within two hours of cooking. They will stay fresh for three to four days.
Freezing Ground Chicken Burgers:
- Freezing Uncooked Patties: If you want to freeze your uncooked ground chicken patties for later use, wrap them tightly in plastic freezer wrap or place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months.
- Freezing Cooked Burgers: You can also freeze cooked ground chicken burgers. Wrap them securely or place them in freezer bags, and they will maintain their quality for up to three months.
Reheating and Thawing:
- Refrigerator Thawing: If you're planning to thaw frozen ground chicken burgers, it's best to do so gradually by transferring them from the freezer to the refrigerator. This will take several hours or even overnight, depending on the number of patties.
- Microwave Thawing: For quicker thawing, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave. Place the frozen patties on a microwave-safe dish and follow the microwave instructions.
- Reheating in the Oven: To reheat your ground chicken burgers, you can use an oven, grill, skillet, or microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F and heat the burgers for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
- Reheating on the Stovetop: Alternatively, you can reheat the burgers in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until warmed through.
Pressure Cooking BBQ Chicken: A Quick, Easy Feast
You may want to see also
How to cook ground chicken burgers on a stovetop
Ground chicken burgers are a delicious alternative to beef burgers, offering a leaner option that's just as satisfying. They're also quick and easy to make, perfect for a weeknight meal. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you cook juicy and flavorful ground chicken burgers on a stovetop.
Ingredients:
- Ground chicken breast
- Breadcrumbs (Italian or Panko)
- Mayonnaise
- Minced onions and garlic
- Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, oregano, chives)
- Spices (e.g., paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Hamburger buns and toppings of your choice
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, minced onions and garlic, fresh herbs, and spices. Use your hands to mix the ingredients until well blended, but be careful not to overmix.
- Form the mixture into equal-sized patties. A typical batch of the above mixture should yield four to six patties, depending on your preferred size. Press down the center of each patty with your thumb to ensure even cooking and prevent shrinking.
- Preheat a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil for this step.
- Once the pan is hot, carefully place the chicken patties in the oil. Cook the patties for about 5-6 minutes on the first side, or until the bottom is golden brown. Then, flip them and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes on the other side.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. The burgers are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If they need more time, reduce the heat slightly and continue cooking until done.
- Remove the cooked burgers from the pan and drain any excess oil by placing them on a paper towel.
- Assemble your chicken burgers by placing the patties in hamburger buns and adding your choice of toppings. Some popular topping options include lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado slices, cheese, and pickles.
Tips for Success:
- To ensure juicy burgers, add a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise to the ground chicken mixture. This helps lock in moisture.
- Make a slight indentation or "dimple" in the center of each patty before cooking. This prevents the patties from puffing up and promotes even cooking.
- Don't overmix the burger mixture or overwork the meat when forming patties. This can result in tough and chewy burgers.
- Don't flatten the burgers with a spatula while cooking. This will cause them to lose their juices.
- If you're making a large batch, you can store the uncooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months.
Crafting BBQ Chicken Sandwiches: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
What to serve with ground chicken burgers
When it comes to serving ground chicken burgers, there are endless possibilities. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Classic Burger Fixings
For a traditional take, serve your ground chicken burgers with classic hamburger buns, salad, mayonnaise, slices of tomato, red onion, and cheddar cheese. You can also add some ketchup and mustard to taste.
Crispy and Flavourful Sides
If you're looking for something to add a crunch to your meal, consider serving your burgers with typical cookout dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, macaroni salad, or even crispy baked French fries. For a fruity twist, you could also try Pineapple Mango Salsa.
Refreshing Salads
A refreshing side salad can perfectly complement the flavours of your ground chicken burger. Try something like a creamy cucumber salad, coleslaw, jalapeño slaw, or a simple mix of greens with a homemade honey mustard dressing.
Grilled Sides
If you're grilling your burgers, why not grill up some sides to go along with them? Grilled corn on the cob is always a tasty option. You could also try grilling some vegetables like Portobello mushrooms or zucchini.
Drinks
Don't forget to offer your guests a refreshing drink to go along with their burgers. A southern Sweet Tea would pair nicely with the meal.
Papa Murphy's BBQ Chicken Pizza: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the thickness of your burgers and the heat of your grill, but generally, they should take around 5 minutes on one side and 4 minutes on the other.
Chicken burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
There are several things you can do to prevent your chicken burgers from drying out. Firstly, don't overwork the meat when forming your patties. Secondly, create a dimple in the centre of each patty with your thumb to help them cook evenly. Finally, don't overcook your burgers—they are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
You can serve your ground chicken burgers with classic burger toppings such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, and condiments like ketchup and mustard. You could also try serving them with a side of potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, or French fries.
Yes, you can freeze ground chicken burgers before or after cooking. If freezing uncooked patties, place wax or parchment paper between the layers and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. If freezing cooked burgers, allow them to cool, then place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months.