Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

We don’t use ground chicken for meals very often, but when we do, I’m always so glad because ground chicken is low in fat, which means it’s healthier. It’s a great alternative to higher-fat ground meats like beef, pork or lamb, especially for burgers.

These ground chicken burgers have Greek flair with feta cheese, oregano and just the right amount of kick from the cayenne. Zucchini adds moisture to ground chicken which, although healthier, does tend to be on the dry side. Tzatziki, the classic Greek yogurt sauce, is taken up a notch with jalapeno for a super tasty twist on your summer grilling routine!

This ground chicken burger recipe is:

• Simply delicious!
• Easy to make!
• Make ahead. The chicken burgers can be formed and then refrigerated for up to 12 hours if the ground chicken is super fresh.
• A great meal prep option. The grilled burgers can be frozen for a quick meal that’s ready and waiting!

How to Make Ground Chicken Burgers and Spicy Tzatziki:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this ground chicken burger recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Ground Chicken: I highly recommend getting freshly ground chicken rather than ground chicken in sealed packages. The taste and texture of the chicken burgers will be enhanced by using freshly ground meat. Always use freshly ground meat or poultry within a day or so, or freeze it soon after you bring it home.
• Feta Cheese: To save time, purchase crumbled feta cheese.
• Oregano: Fresh is always best, especially in the summer with fresh herbs from your herb garden. If not, substitute a teaspoon of dried oregano.
• Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt has culinary roots in the Middle East, but numerous cultures have a version of strained yogurt. The thickness comes from straining out the excess whey, but the result retains the same bright tanginess. I’m a fan of Fage, one of the original companies to make Greek yogurt available to the masses. For this tzatziki recipe, I use 5% milk-fat yogurt because it has a better flavor, but you can use lower-fat yogurt.
• Jalapeno: Most of the heat in a jalapeno is in the seeds and the white fleshy membrane. Remove those or leave the jalapeno out if you don’t care for anything too spicy.
• Mint: Mint tends to be pretty prolific in the garden, especially in the spring and early summer, so if you have a fresh mint plant, here’s your chance to use some! You can also substitute fresh dill.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients.
• Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook for 7 to 8 minutes or until softened.

• Add the zucchini and garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the zucchini is softened.

• Stir in oregano and cayenne pepper.
• Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.

• Transfer to a bowl. Add feta cheese, salt, black pepper and chicken.
• Form into six even burgers.
• MAKE AHEAD: You can make the chicken burgers ahead to this point by forming them later or forming then refrigerating them so they’re ready to go.

• Before grilling the burgers, make the tzatziki. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Oil or spray the grates of your outdoor grill or drizzle a small amount on your grill pan.
• Place burgers on the grill. Grill 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees.

• Gather up all the other toppings…

• Enjoy! A healthy chicken burger recipe that will become a summer favorite!

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• As with all ground meats, it’s always best not to handle the ground chicken too much. Overmixing or overhandling any ground meat can make the meat tough.
• Oil or use non-stick cooking spray on the grates on your grill before starting it so the burgers don’t stick.
• If you don’t like all that peel on the cucumbers and for a prettier presentation, peel off several strips from the cucumber, leaving other strips intact as shown below.

Storage:

• Store any leftover burgers in the refrigerator or freezer. Reheat in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or until heated through. Enjoy within five days for the best results.

Serve with:

• Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes
• Perfect Roasted Potato Wedges
• Oven Fries with Spicy Pesto Aioli
• Green Bean Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
• Lemony Broccoli Barley and White Bean Salad
• Cauliflower Artichoke Tabbouleh

More great burger recipes you’ll love!

• Grilled Burgers with Bacon Tomato Jam and Smoked Gouda
• Shrimp Burgers with Jalapeno Remoulade
• Lentil Walnut Veggie Burgers with Avocado Tzatziki Sauce

Get all my sandwich and burger recipes at: Sandwich and Burger Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen