This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These 5-ingredient cheddar chicken burgers are BIG on flavor and take just 20 minutes – perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
So, Memorial Day and summertime are upon us – I’m not sure how that happened, but I’m excited all the same! — and I’m ready for all the grilling things and BBQs and picnics and eating outside.
Problem is, I don’t really do regular beef burgers. Not a fan. Haven’t had one in probably 15 years or more and don’t miss it one bit.
Veggie burgers? Count me in every time! Black bean burgers? I’m sold (sorry for the pictures though. Need to remake those!) Chicken or turkey burgers? Yes please!
And these cheddar chicken burgers are one of my favorites! They are lighter than a regular burger but have ALL the flavors and tons of meaty juicy bite to them.
I’m a little addicted. I had two in one day last week (one at lunch, one at dinner) and may or may not have had another one two days later. #somuchflavor
You seriously will not miss the beef.
Reasons I love these chicken burgers:
- 5 ingredients. No filler. Each ingredient is maxed out on flavor so they are all pulling their weight, but it makes these so easy to throw together.
- Pockets of gooey cheese. Dicing up cheddar cheese and folding it into the burger mixture is like hiding cheese bombs in your burger that are just waiting to explode in your mouth. #swoon
- If you’re lucky, some cheese will ooze out while you’re cooking them. It will fry right there in the pan and be a crispy, crunchy, fried cheese glory for you to nibble while you plate the burgers.
- They’re on the salty side. For me, this is a glorious thing. And let’s be clear, there’s no salt added. But if “salt” is one of the first ingredients in your grill seasoning, well, then, these are gonna be a bit salty. I do use low-sodium Worcestershire sauce and recommend you do too, to cut down on the sodium a little.
- They’ve got a slight garlic edge to them. Not overpowering, just a good balance in the background and a perfect partner for the cheese and chicken. If you’re really shy on garlic, use just one clove here.
I served my burgers here with lettuce, tomato, red onion and an easy creamy yogurt sauce: just Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and a bit of hot sauce. You can use any of your favorite burger toppings.
If you’re looking to lighten this baby up, you can eat it over a salad. That’s usually how I have it at lunchtime. I just plop the burger on some chopped lettuce mixed with tomatoes and drizzle a little mustard vinaigrette over top. Divine! Or eat it in a lettuce wrap – also a good option.
And since I’ve been in a summer food kind of mood, I have to say this would go great with my recent seared romaine salad and also with the potato salad I’m bringing you on Wednesday (along with a huge list of Memorial Day recipes from some of my blogging buddies).
Don’t miss it! Sign up for my free e-newsletter (I’ll send you a free e-cookbook with 10 easy weeknight dinners). And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for more recipe goodness!
Enjoy!
Cheddar chicken burgers
Just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes for these flavorful cheddar chicken burgers!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken (I recommend NOT using lean)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (I recommend low-sodium)
- 1 tablespoon grill seasoning (such as Weber's Montana steak seasoning or McCormick's Grill Mates steak seasoning)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese cubes, about 1/4-inch dice
- For cooking: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- For serving: Burger buns and your favorites: lettuce, tomato, red onion slices, ketchup, mustard, pickles, jalapeños, bacon, avocado, etc.
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except olive oil) in a bowl and mix until combined. Don’t overmix.
- Form 4 patties, each about 1-inch thick. Try to ensure the cheddar chunks are evenly distributed. (Note: The mixture will be wet, but it holds together. It helps to wet your hands before forming the patties.)
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add burgers to hot skillet and cook for 5 minutes. Flip over and cook another 5 minutes, until cooked through. (If your stove is getting too hot, just reduce heat slightly when you flip the burgers.)
- Remove patties to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve in a bun with desired burger toppings.
Recipe Notes
You can also cook these on the grill, if you prefer.
The burgers here are topped with an easy mustard-yogurt mixture. It's about 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt and 1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard mixed together. I like adding a few dashes of hot sauce, too!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 258kcal Calories from fat 157 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat 6g | 30% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 112mg | 37% |
| Sodium 201mg | 8% |
| Carbohydrate 2g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 23g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
May 23, 2016 at 7:16 AMOh my gosh, all that melty cheese! I’m usually a hamburger girl, but now I absolutely HAVE to try a chicken burger!
Kathryn says
May 23, 2016 at 9:54 AMHaha, that’s actually just the yogurt sauce! The cheese for these burgers is all inside the burger 🙂 But yes – they are worth breaking from hamburgers for!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
May 23, 2016 at 7:49 AMThis sounds delicious! I made ground chicken – avocado burgers a little while ago and that was so good: can’t wait to try more variates! This is a great one too if you ask me 🙂
Kathryn says
May 23, 2016 at 9:54 AMThanks Vivian! I love chicken burgers too!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
May 23, 2016 at 8:12 AMI love all types of burgers-chicken, turkey, beef, veggie. I’m always up for having one 🙂 That gooey, melty cheese on your burger totally got me, Kathryn! Looks absolutely delicious!
Kathryn says
May 23, 2016 at 9:56 AMCan’t go wrong with a good burger! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
May 23, 2016 at 2:01 PMOh my gawsh, do I feel you!! I LOVE burgers, but for some reason I rarely have a beef burger. I am allllll about the veggie, turkey or chicken burgers though.. or even seafood burgers. So I am tooooe-ts loving these, Kathryn! They look perfect and I love that they are only 5 ingredients!! I have already been firing up the grill every weekend so I can’t wait to add these juicy beauties to the rotation! Cheers, friend!
Kathryn says
May 23, 2016 at 10:01 PMAlternative burgers are where it’s at 😉 XO
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
May 23, 2016 at 9:44 PMOh I’m with you – I’d order a chicken burger over a beef burger too. Love your yoghurt sauce too – always need a little spice on my burgers.
Kathryn says
May 23, 2016 at 10:02 PMI’m so glad you get me 😉 Hope you have a great week Nancy!
smitha says
May 24, 2016 at 1:02 AMYour writing has made me drool. Cheesy part of it will make anyone reading this post to run out and get a cheesy burger
Kathryn says
May 24, 2016 at 4:56 PMHaha, thanks! And best of all, in 20 minutes, you can have one of THESE cheesy burgers! 🙂
Tez @ Chile and Salt says
May 24, 2016 at 5:34 PMThese look AMAZING Kathryn! Will admit I`m a beef burger kind of guy but these just look too good! And… my daughters are going to love you for these! Thanks for the great recipe!
Kathryn says
May 25, 2016 at 9:39 AMThanks Tez! These are good for changing things up now and then 😉
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
May 25, 2016 at 7:28 AMThis looks unbelievable tasty! I am loving that gooey, drippy cheese, and the fact that there are only 5 main ingredients. YUM!
Kathryn says
May 25, 2016 at 9:43 AMThanks Sarah 🙂 That’s actually a little yogurt sauce I mixed up to top the burgers with – all the gooey cheese is on the inside of the burgers – fun little cubes waiting to be bitten into!
Frugal Hausfrau says
June 10, 2016 at 11:59 PMThese will go on my list! They look and sound incredible! I love that you put a little cheese in there – I’ve had a hard time in the past with a lot of chicken or turkey burgers – by the time you get them up to temp they can be a little dry ad that cheese (besides being delish) would keep them moist!
Thanks for sharing this with us at Throwback Thursday this week!
Mollie
Kathryn says
June 11, 2016 at 6:27 PMYes, the cheese definitely helps keep them moist and super flavorful! Hope you give them a try, Mollie!
Carlee says
June 13, 2016 at 11:23 AMOooh, yum! My husband is a beefy burger man, but I could probably talk him into at least trying these. They look amazing! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
Kathryn says
June 14, 2016 at 2:01 PMThanks Carlee! My husband is the same way, but he loved these cheesy chicken burgers!
Jill Waters says
January 3, 2019 at 8:20 PMI do not usually comment on recipes but, wow, these are marvelous! All four kids plus a picky husband loved these tonight. The only change I will make next time is doubing the recipe so we can have leftovers. Thank you for this recipe!
Kathryn says
January 4, 2019 at 6:42 AMOh I’m so happy to hear you all loved them Jill! Thanks for sharing! 😊