Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki

5 from 5 votes
1 hour
Jump To Recipe

Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki is a tasty and healthful way to spice up your summer burger routine! Zucchini and feta cheese take these burgers over the top with Greek-inspired flavor! Serve with my Mediterranean Chopped Salad or eggplant fries on the side!

“Made these tonight and the whole family loved them!!”

Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki on wood cutting board with tzatziki on spoon and jalapeno next to the burger.

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!

Let’s make ’em!

Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki on wood cutting board with spoon of tzatziki next to it.

How to Make Ground Chicken Burgers and Spicy Tzatziki

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this ground chicken burger recipe, along with how to prep the ingredients. 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.
Onions being sauteed with wooden spoon in nonstick skillet.
  • 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.
Cayenne and oregano added to sauteed zucchini and onions in nonstick skillet with wooden spoon.
  • 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.
Grilled chicken burgers on grill pan.
  • Gather up all the other toppings…
Ingredients for Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki ready to be assembled.
  • …And start building your tasty and healthy ground chicken burgers!
  • Enjoy! A healthy chicken burger recipe that will become a summer favorite!
Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki on wood surface.

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.
Semi-peeled cucumber with vegetable peeler on countertop.
Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki on wood cutting board.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you make ground chicken burgers ahead of time?

Yes! If you purchased the ground chicken the same day you’re making the burgers, they can be stored safely in the refrigerator for 24 hours. If the ground chicken was purchased the previous day, form the burgers, then refrigerate until you’re ready to cook them. Be sure not to keep the ground chicken unfrozen for a third day because ground meats can become unsafe quickly.

Can you freeze ground chicken burgers?

Ground chicken burgers can be frozen cooked or uncooked. If freezing uncooked, assemble, then place on wax or parchment paper and freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. Alternatively, you could freeze them on a baking sheet until they’re firm, then place them in a zipper-top bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then grill or place directly on the grill from the freezer, allowing extra time to cook thoroughly heated through to 165 degrees in the center. If the burgers are cooked, follow the same procedure. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees until completely thoroughly heated to 165 degrees in the center.

Can I cook ground chicken burgers on the stovetop if I don’t have a grill or grill pan?

Absolutely! Heat a small amount of oil in a nonstick skillet or griddle and cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until cooked to 165 degrees in the center.

Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki on wood surface.

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:

More great burger recipes you’ll love!

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

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email and I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Save Recipe
* By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails.
Logo for From A Chef's Kitchen with gray oval border and green knife.
Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki on wood cutting board with spoon of tzatziki next to it.

Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki

5 from 5 votes

Click to Rate!

By: Carol | From A Chef’s Kitchen
Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki is a tasty and healthful way to spice up your summer burger routine! Zucchini and feta cheese take these burgers over the top with Greek-inspired flavor!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Chicken and Turkey
Cuisine Greek
Servings 6
Calories 611 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken Burgers

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion - finely chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini - shredded
  • 3 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano - or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese - heaping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground chicken

Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1 large cucumber - thin strips removed, seeded and diced
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper - seeded if desired, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1/2 large lemon - juiced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint - about a handful
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt

To Finish

  • 6 brioche buns
  • Lettuce
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Thinly sliced red onion
  • Jalapeno slices

Instructions
 

Chicken Burgers

  • 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 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add feta cheese, salt, black pepper and chicken.
  • Form into 6 even burgers. Oil or spray the grill grates or drizzle a little oil on your grill pan.
  • Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Place burgers on the grill. Grill 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees.

Tzatziki Sauce

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

To Finish

  • Serve burgers on brioche buns. Toast or grill if desired. Add lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and tzatziki as desired. Devour.

Recipe Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:  Use ground turkey in place of the chicken.
MAKE AHEAD:  Burgers can be assembled up to 12 hours in advance and refrigerated.  Tzatziki can be made 24 hours in advance and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 611kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 796mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1072IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 2mg

These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.
5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made these tonight and the whole family loved them!! I was curious about the zucchini but now I get it!! Served with curry spiced roasted sweet potatoes in small cubes. Perfect meal!!

    1. Hi, William, Thanks so very much and so happy you enjoyed!! Yes, the zucchini adds a little moisture to the chicken which can be dry. Thanks again and appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment.

  2. 5 stars
    Love these tasty chicken burgers! So easy to throw together and simple to cook. Mediterranean night just got even more delicious. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi, Traci, Thanks so very much and so happy you enjoyed! Love that you have a “Mediterranean night.” What a fantastic idea! Thanks again!