Juicy chicken burgers with a golden, crispy coating – baked, not fried.
I love a burger. My kids love a burger. If we go out for dinner and there’s a good burger on the menu, there’s a very strong chance at least one of us is ordering it. 😂 So when I tell you I’ve spent the last couple of months making these Crispy Minced (Ground) Chicken Burgers over and over again until I got them exactly right, you can understand the level of commitment involved.
I wanted a chicken burger that was really juicy on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside, and baked rather than fried. But I also wanted it to be the kind of thing I could make on a weeknight without creating a full crumbing station and destroying the kitchen in the process! These burgers are exactly that.
The prep is really minimal. You mix the chicken filling, shape the patties, press them straight into the crumb, then bake. No flour, no separate egg wash, no pan-frying in batches. A few little tricks make all the difference too: the grated onion keeps the chicken juicy, parmesan adds that savoury flavour, paprika helps the coating brown beautifully, and baking the patties directly on an oiled metal tray gives you that gorgeous crispness underneath. (Note that I’ve also provided air fryer and pan-frying methods in the recipe.)
I keep these fuss-free with soft brioche buns, shredded lettuce and mayo, because the simplicity of it just works so well. The crisp, savoury chicken with the soft bun, cool lettuce and creamy mayo is all that’s needed. They’re easy enough for a weeknight, fun enough for a Friday night and one of those dinners I know everyone is going to be excited about!
Do I need to coat the patties in flour and egg first?
No. The chicken mixture is naturally soft and slightly tacky, so the parmesan-panko crumb sticks well without a separate flour and egg coating. That keeps the process much simpler and cuts down on both prep time and washing up.
What can I serve with Crispy Minced (Ground) Chicken Burgers?
These burgers are quite substantial, so I usually keep the sides simple. Good options include:
- French fries or oven-baked fries – The obvious burger-night choice.
- Sweet potato fries – Great alongside the crispy chicken.
- Potato wedges – Easy to bake while the burgers are cooking.
- Roasted potatoes – A good option if you want something a little less “takeaway”.
- Corn on the cob – Simple, family-friendly and really good with butter and salt.
- A simple green salad – Cos (romaine) lettuce, cucumber, avocado and a lemony dressing is a combo that works well.
- Tomato and cucumber salad or a Greek Salad – Fresh and light alongside the burger.
- Coleslaw – Especially good if you like a crunchy side.
- My Cheat’s Caesar Salad – Crisp, creamy and a really good match with the chicken.
- Pickles – Either served on the side or tucked into the burger. Try my 5-minute Quick Pickled Red Onions.
- A platter of cut vegetables – cucumber, carrot, capsicum (bell pepper) and cherry tomatoes work well for a very easy family dinner.
- Extra mayonnaise – Always a good idea for dipping fries or wedges.
If you enjoyed Crispy Minced (Ground) Chicken Burgers, I think you’ll love:
Southern Fried Chicken Burger Recipe – These 15-minute burgers are a quick and delicious meal the whole family will love. Tender, seasoned chicken is fried to golden perfection, then served on brioche buns with cheese, pickles and shredded lettuce.
Hot Honey Crunch Chicken Burger Recipe – Sticky, crispy and loaded with flavour, this chicken burger is fakeaway energy with real-life ingredients. Cook the chicken however suits you – oven, air fryer or pan.
Juicy Homemade Beef Burgers Recipe – One of the top recipes on the website, I present to you the ultimate beef burger that’s wholesome, customisable and will rival your local takeaway! Easy to whip up, you can make this on the stovetop or the barbecue grill.
Portuguese Chicken Burger Recipe – Here’s a healthier, homemade version of the ever-popular Portuguese chicken burger. Crumbed chicken is cooked to golden perfection, then served in buns with cheese, mayo and your favourite toppings. All done in 20 minutes!
Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos Recipe – For something a little different, these smashed chicken tacos are made with minced (ground) chicken and feature everything you love about caesar salad – creamy dressing, crispy bacon, salty parmesan – but wrapped up in a golden, cheesy tortilla.
Crispy Minced (Ground) Chicken Burgers
Share Pin Recipe PrintIngredients
- 500 g (1 lb) minced (ground) chicken (you could also use turkey)
- 30 g (½ cup) panko breadcrumbs
- 25 g (¼ cup) finely grated parmesan
- 1 egg
- ¼ small brown onion, finely grated
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 45 g (¾ cup) panko breadcrumbs
- 25 g (¼ cup) finely grated parmesan
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt flakes
- Olive oil spray
- 5 brioche buns (I use 50 g/1¾ oz buns)
- 60 g (¼ cup) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 1 baby cos (baby romaine) lettuce, finely shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven – Preheat the oven to 240°C (475°F) (220°C/425°F) fan-forced (most ovens take at least 20 minutes to preheat adequately!).
- Make the chicken patties – Add all the patty ingredients to a large bowl. Gently combine using clean hands until just incorporated. Avoid overworking the mixture.
- Shape the patties – Divide the mixture into five equal portions and shape into patties about 1.5 cm (½ inch) thick and slightly wider than the burger buns. The mixture will be soft and sticky, which is normal. Wet your hands lightly if needed to make shaping easier.
- Make the crispy coating – Combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, paprika, garlic powder and salt on a large sheet of baking (parchment) paper.
- Coat the patties – Press each patty gently into the crumb mixture. Lift the sides of the baking paper to bring the crumbs back towards the centre and press them over the patties until well coated.
- Bake the patties (see note 1 for air fryer and pan-fried methods) – Generously spray the base of a large, unlined metal baking tray (see note 2) with olive oil. Add the crumbed chicken patties, then generously spray the tops with olive oil. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden, crisp and cooked through. There is no need to flip the patties (see note 3). If needed, switch the oven to grill (broil) on high for 1–2 minutes at the end for extra colour.
- Toast the buns – Arrange the buns on a baking tray, cut-side up, and toast in the oven at the same temperature for 2–3 minutes or until golden and toasty.
- Assemble – Spread the brioche buns with mayonnaise. Add a generous handful of finely shredded lettuce, followed by the crispy chicken patties. Add the bun tops drizzled with more mayonnaise (optional) and serve immediately.
Nutrition information
Nutritional information on this site is calculated using Foodworks Professional, the nutrition analysis software trusted by dietitians, researchers and food manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand. Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes
