Simple chicken burgers are great, but Air Fryer Chicken Burgers with chipotle chilies add heat and a smoky flavor! I guarantee this will be your new favorite burger recipe for the summer.
These air fryer chicken burgers are a must-make recipe for the summer! Since we are talking about burgers, make my Deconstructed Burger Bowls.
If you are looking for an ordinary and basic chicken burger, you are in the wrong place. This recipe has layers of flavors thanks to the addition of smoky chipotle chilies.
I'm going to cook the chicken patties in the air fryer, but you can also pan-sear or grill them, and they will turn out amazing!
Don't overcook them because they will dry out. The moral of the story is nobody wants a dry chicken burger.
You can serve them up on Broche Buns or lettuce for a low-carb version. Make my Tomao Peach Burrata Salad for a delicious summer side dish.
You'll love our chicken burger sauce. The chipotle peppers bring a smoky, spicy flavor that is not overpowering but provides just enough kick to make each bite exciting.
The sweet chili sauce adds a sweet component that balances the spiciness of the chipotle.
During the summer, I make this recipe on repeat. I serve it with my Sous Vide Corn and wash this burger down with a Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks.
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⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These homemade chicken burgers only take 15 minutes to put together from start to finish.
- This recipe is healthy and high in protein, lettuce wrap this burger to make it gluten-free.
- Chipotle chicken burgers add some heat and a smoky flavor.
- The chicken burger sauce is sweet and spicy! This sauce adds so much flavor.
- A must-make recipe for the summer!
📝 Key Ingredients
Here is a visual overview of the chicken burger ingredients in this recipe. Scroll to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Ground Chicken - A lean meat that packs a lot of protein in with each bite.
- Burger Buns - We opted for Brioche buns in this recipe but any burger bun will do. Lettuce wrap chicken patties for an even healthier version.
- Panko - This is a binder that helps chicken burgers from falling apart during cooking.
- Seasonings - Smoked paprika, chili powder, chipotle, salt, and pepper are used.
- Additional Ingredients - We topped our burgers with bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
- Sauce - We made a chipotle sauce consisting of mayo, sweet chili sauce, and chipotle chilies.
See recipe card for quantities.
🥘 Substitutions + Variations
- Cheese - Top your chicken burgers with cheddar, havarti, or pepperjack cheese.
- Turkey - Use ground turkey instead of chicken, and you'll have the most delicious turkey burgers.
- Prefer not to air fry chicken patties? No problem—just cook them on the grill or pan-sear them on the stove instead.
- Salad or Protein Bowls - Skip the burger buns and add chicken patties to your salads or grain bowls for an extra protein boost.
- Low-Carb - Make a low-carb version by wrapping chicken burgers in lettuce.
- Meatballs - Form the chicken mixture into meatballs for a fantastic meal prep lunch option. Our Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs is another great recipe to try.
🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to create a delicious and healthy meal that will have everyone asking for seconds! Let's get cooking!
Step 1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Panko, seasonings, and chopped chipotle.
Step 2. Mix everything using your hands. I like to use disposable gloves to keep my hands clean.
Step 3. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F/182°C. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Shape the meat mixture into 4 burger patties and place them in the air fryer basket.
Step 4. Cook chicken patties for 8-10 minutes, flipping at the halfway point. The internal temperature should read 165°F when fully cooked. Don't overcook them because they will dry out.
Step 5. Place slices of bacon and cheese on burger patties and cook for another 1 minute to melt the cheese.
Step 6. To make the chipotle sauce combine mayo, chopped chipotle, and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl.
👨🏻🍳 Chef Tips
- Mix the chicken patties until the ingredients are incorporated, and don't overwork it. The chicken patties will become dry and tough if you overmix it.
- Flip the chicken burgers halfway through so they cook evenly and golden brown on both sides.
- Spray the air fryer basket and tops of the chicken patties with cooking oil so it doesn't stick.
- Make a double batch and meal prep this recipe. Chicken burgers are great on top of salads and bowls.
- Ground chicken is a lean meat that dries out quickly. Use a digital thermometer, and don't let the internal temperature exceed 165°F.
❓Recipe FAQ's
I recommend cooking them at 360°F/182°C for 8-10 minutes. Cooking times will vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the chicken patties.
Yes! Ground chicken is lean and packed with a lot of protein. Make sure to use healthy condiments to keep the calories down.
Yes, you can swap ground turkey for chicken when making air fryer burgers. Ground turkey is a versatile and lean alternative that can be just as healthy and delicious.
By meal-prepping chicken burgers, you can have a quick, nutritious meal option ready for busy days. Serve them with a bun, lettuce wraps, on top of salads or grain bowls.
Storage: Refrigerate cooked chicken patties in an airtight container for 3-4 days .
Reheating: Microwave with a damp paper towel over it for 1-2 minutes or until heated through or in the air fryer at 300°F/148°C for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
Freezer: Placed cooked chicken patties into a ziplock bag and place them into the freezer for up to 3 months.
🍽 You'll Love These Air Fryer Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @thefrizzledleek on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken Burgers
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 chipotle pepper finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Chipotle Sauce
- ½ cup Mayo
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 chipotle pepper minced
Additional Ingredients
- 4 burger buns I used brioche buns
- lettuce as needed
- tomato slices as needed
- 8 slices of cooked bacon
- 4 slices of cheese I used cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Chicken Burgers. In a bowl mix the chicken, Panko, chipotle in adobo, paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 burgers.
- Air Fryer Instructions. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Spay the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Cook chicken patties for 8-10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Sauce. While the chicken burgers are cooking, mix together mayo, chipotle, and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Assemble Burgers. Place chicken burgers on a toasted bun with cheese, bacon, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and chipotle sauce.
Notes
- Don't overcook the chicken patties or they will become dry and tough. Burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Storage: Refrigerate cooked chicken patties in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Make these burgers low-carb by wrapping them in lettuce.
Mike Cleavenger says
These chicken burgers are packed with flavor and perfect for the summer!