Portuguese Chicken Burger

Portuguese Chicken Burgers are a popular fast food choice, but the takeout options aren’t exactly the most nutritious. My healthier version, made with crispy crumbed chicken and fresh ingredients at home, is easy to make and tastes even better. What’s more, it’s ready in less than 20 minutes! Crumbing the chicken is the part that takes the longest, but that can be done in advance so all you have to do when you want to eat, is cook the chicken and assemble the burgers. Top with mayonnaise, lettuce and cheese, or substitute with your preferred toppings. Finish with chilli oil if you want to add a little heat! I love this recipe so much that I included it in my new cookbook Simple Dinners Every Day.

Portuguese Chicken Burger

Portuguese Chicken Burger

Author: Nicole
5 from 4 votes
“If you haven’t made these you absolutely need to try! These are made almost weekly in my house and are absolutely delicious!”
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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 fresh toppings. And it's all done in 20 minutes!
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 5 minutes
Total 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 400 g (14 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in half horizontally to make thinner schnitzels
  • 60 g (½ cup) fine breadcrumbs (not panko)
  • 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • Olive oil spray
  • 4 burger buns
  • 4 tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise
  • 100 g (2 cups) shredded lettuce
  • 4 slices gouda cheese, or cheese of your choice
  • Chilli oil, to serve (optional)

Equipment

Instructions

  • Flatten the chicken – Place the chicken breast schnitzels on a flat surface. Cover with a sheet of baking (parchment) paper and use a mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness (approximately 1 cm/½ inch thick).
  • Crumb the chicken – Add the fine breadcrumbs, flour, salt and sweet paprika to another large sheet of baking paper and stir the ingredients together using a spoon. 
  • Dredge each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure all sides of the chicken are evenly coated and shake off any excess. 
  • Cook the chicken – Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat and spray generously with olive oil. Cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes or until golden and cooked through, turning once halfway, adding more spray oil if needed. 
  • Assemble and serve – Serve the chicken on burger buns with the mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, cheese and chilli oil, if using. 

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
Portuguese Chicken Burger
Amount per Serving
Calories
562
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
29
g
45
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Trans Fat
 
0.05
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Cholesterol
 
106
mg
35
%
Sodium
 
1398
mg
61
%
Potassium
 
544
mg
16
%
Carbohydrates
 
38
g
13
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
36
g
72
%
Vitamin A
 
587
IU
12
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
313
mg
31
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Recipe notes

MAKE AHEAD 

Chicken – Refrigerate uncooked chicken schnitzels for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight, then cook as per the recipe.
Lettuce – Wash, dry and shred the lettuce so it’s ready for when you need it. Store in a reusable sandwich bag or airtight container with a sheet of paper towel to absorb excess moisture. It will keep fresh for up to 3 days.

LEFTOVERS

Refrigerate cooked chicken schnitzels for up to 2 days. Not suitable to freeze. 

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Let us know how it was!
Course burger, dinner, entrée, Main Course
Cuisine Portuguese