Juicy Ground Chicken Burgers (Italian-Style Recipe)
Published Jun 25, 2025
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These juicy Italian-style ground chicken burgers are packed with fresh flavors and served on soft rolls with basil, arugula, tomato, and lemon garlic aioli- an easy, flavorful dinner you’ll crave again and again! Bonus: they’re made without breadcrumbs. Ready in 20 minutes!
Try my grilled chicken sandwich and the best beef hamburgers next time!
Why you’ll love this recipe…
These Italian-style ground chicken burgers are fresh, vibrant, and simple. Reasons to love them:
- Cooks in just 10 minutes — quick and weeknight-friendly.
- Made with real, wholesome Italian ingredients.
- Juicy and flavorful — no dry, bland patties here.
- Easy to customize with fresh herbs, cheeses, or spices.
- Served on soft ciabatta with lemon garlic aioli for a gourmet touch.
- Lighter than beef, but just as satisfying.
- Perfect for grilling, pan-searing, or baking.
These Italian-style ground chicken burgers are fresh, vibrant, and simple. You’ll also love my Italian sausage meatballs and Italian sausage sandwich.
Made With AmorE,
What’s The Best Type Of Ground Chicken For Burgers?
The best ground chicken for burgers is a blend of white and dark meat, around 92–96% lean, which gives enough fat to keep the patties juicy and flavorful without drying out; ground chicken breast alone is too lean and tends to make dry, crumbly burgers.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This homemade chicken burger recipe is made with real, high-quality ingredients — no fillers, preservatives, or mystery flavors. You control every ingredient, from the seasoning to the toppings, making them fresher, healthier, and completely customizable to your taste. They’re juicier and more flavorful than the ground chicken patties in a frozen box!
- Ground chicken: the base for juicy, flavorful burgers — choose a blend that isn’t too lean.
- Homemade Italian seasoning blend: a savory mix of dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. You can add garlic powder if you like.
- Greek yogurt or mayonnaise: adds moisture (the secret ingredient!) and tenderness to keep the burgers juicy.
- Egg: binds the ingredients together for a perfect texture.
- Minced onion: adds subtle sweetness and extra moisture.
- Salt and black pepper: essential for enhancing all the fresh flavors.
- Ciabatta rolls or brioche buns: soft and sturdy enough to hold the juicy burger and toppings. You can also use your favorite hamburger buns.
- Arugula or butter lettuce: brings a fresh, crisp bite — arugula is peppery, butter lettuce is tender.
- Fresh basil leaves: aromatic and sweet, adding classic Italian flavor.
- Sliced ripe tomatoes: juicy and sweet, the perfect fresh topping.
- Lemon garlic aioli: creamy and tangy sauce that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Use the aoli recipe from my pan-fried chicken tenders recipe.
- More optional toppings: red onion, mustard, dijon mustard, fresh mozzarella, cheddar cheese. Try my caprese sandwich for another great option.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it cheesy: Stuff patties with a slice of fresh mozzarella or provolone for a gooey center. Try my mozzarella-stuffed chicken breasts and next!
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili paste to the meat mixture.
- Swap the greens: Use baby spinach or radicchio instead of arugula, or skip the buns and make a lettuce wrap!
- Different protein: Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or ground pork for a slightly richer flavor. Try my Italian turkey meatballs recipe!
- Lemon herb upgrade: Add fresh chopped parsley or lemon zest to the burger mix for extra brightness. You’ll love my chicken spiedini with lemon garlic butter.
How To Make Ground Chicken Burgers
This is a step-by-step photo overview of the best chicken burger recipe; the full instrcutions are in the recipe card below.
Step#1: Make the chicken mixture by adding all the ingredients to the bowl and stirring with a fork until combined.
Step#2: Shape the chicken patties into round circles and place on a parchement lined cookie sheet until they are all ready to cook.
Step#3: Heat your outdoor grill or grill pan on medium-high heat. Cook the patties on both sides until cooked all the way through.
Step#4: Make the homemade garlic aioli and spread it over the top of the toasted ot grilled buns.
Step#5: Layer the chicken burger patties with desired toppings.
Step#6: We love Italian-style with tomatoes, onions, basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Choose the right ground chicken (not too lean!).
- Add moisture (onion, Greek yogurt, or mayo, and egg).
- Don’t overcook — internal temp of 165°F is perfect.
- Rest burgers for 5 minutes before serving.
- Don’t press down on the burgers while cooking; this will release their juices.
FAQ’s
Common mistakes include too little binding or overworking the meat.
Mix moisture-rich ingredients like Greek yogurt or mayo into the ground chicken, avoid overmixing the meat, and cook the burgers just until they reach 165°F. Using a blend of white and dark meat instead of lean chicken breast also keeps them tender and juicy.
Make-Ahead Storage and Reheating
- Store cooked burgers in an airtight container up to 3 days- great for meal prep.
- Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet or oven to keep them juicy.
- Freeze raw patties for up to 2 months — stack with parchment paper between them.
Serving Suggestions
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Ground Chicken Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Burgers:
- 1 lb Ground chicken, (not too lean try for 90% lean or close)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt , or mayonnaise
- 1 Egg, well beaten
- 2 tablespoons Yellow onion, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving:
- 4 Soft ciabatta rolls or brioche buns
- 1 cup Fresh arugula or butter lettuce
- 1/4 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 1 large Tomato
- 4 tablespoons Lemon garlic aioli (*see notes), homemade or store-bought
- More optional toppings: red onion, mustard, dijon mustard, fresh mozzarella, and cheddar cheese.
Instructions
Make the Burger Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, Italian seasoning, Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), beaten egg, minced onion, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with clean hands or a fork until just combined — try not to overmix.
Make the Patties:
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about ½-inch thick. Tip: Lightly oil your hands to make shaping easier. Place the patties on a parchment lined baking sheet. Press your thumb into the middle of each to make a little indent- this will help them keep their shape.
Cook the Burgers:
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat (or preheat your grill). Cook the burgers for about 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Toast the Buns (Optional but Recommended):
- Lightly toast the ciabatta rolls or brioche buns in the skillet or on the grill until golden.
Assemble the Burgers:
- Spread a generous layer of lemon garlic aioli on the bottom bun. Top with the chicken burger, fresh arugula or butter lettuce, basil leaves, and tomato slices. Add more aioli to the top bun if desired, then close the sandwich.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve immediately with a side of crispy roasted potatoes, a fruit salad, or chips!
Notes
- Don’t overwork the meat — mix just until combined for the juiciest burgers.
- Customize your toppings — add fresh mozzarella or provolone for an extra Italian twist.
- Make it ahead — shape the patties up to 1 day in advance and store covered in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
