There’s nothing quite like a juicy grilled chicken burger hot off the grill. Tender, smoky chicken layered with crisp salad, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a spicy chili mayo sauce — this recipe is everything you want in a homemade burger.
It’s quick, easy, and made with just a handful of simple ingredients, yet tastes just as good (if not better) than your favorite takeaway.
Marinating the Chicken
The secret to a juicy grilled chicken burger starts with a good marinade. Simply mix salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and olive oil, then coat the chicken well.
For best results, cover and let the chicken rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes — ideally 1–2 hours. This helps the flavors absorb and keeps the chicken tender and juicy when grilled.
Caramelised Onions
Caramelised onions add rich, sweet flavor that takes this burger to the next level. Slice a brown onion thinly and cook slowly in olive oil over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden.
Cooking them gently brings out their natural sweetness without burning. Once ready, they’re soft, sticky, and perfect for balancing the smoky chicken and spicy mayo.
Cheese – I used burger cheese which melts really nicely. You can use Mozzarella, Gouda or Gruyere cheese too. Just cover the pan with lid so the heat helps cheese to melt.
Sauce for Grilled Chicken Burger
A good sauce can turn a simple burger into something special, and this quick chili mayo sauce does exactly that. Just mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, and sriracha for a creamy, tangy, and spicy flavor that complements the grilled chicken perfectly.
You can adjust the heat by adding more or less sriracha, or swap it with your favorite chili sauce. The sauce comes together in seconds but adds a big burst of flavor to every bite.
Assembling the Burger
Once everything is ready, putting the burger together is quick and easy. Lightly toast the buns in the same pan or on the grill until golden. Place the grilled chicken on the bottom bun, followed by a slice of melted cheese.
Add a layer of caramelised onions, fresh tomato slices, and crisp salad leaves. Spread a generous spoonful of the chili mayo sauce on the top bun, then place it over the stack.
Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and juicy, and the buns are still warm.
What buns to use For Grilled Burger
The bun can make or break a burger, so choose one that complements the juicy grilled chicken. I like Sourdough burger to go with this grilled chicken and caramalised onions.
Brioche buns are a classic choice — soft, buttery, and slightly sweet. IYou can also go lighter with wholemeal buns for extra fiber, or keep it traditional with sesame seed hamburger buns.
Toasting the buns lightly in a pan or on the grill adds flavor and helps prevent them from going soggy once the sauce and toppings are added.
Watch How to make Grilled Chicken Burger
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Grilled Chicken Burger
Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken Breast Fillet
- 4 Burger Buns
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Sirracha or chilli sauce
- 1 large Onion Sliced
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 4 Slices Cheese
- Lettuce or salad leaves
- 1 Tomato Sliced
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast fillet diagonally and flatten it with hammer or rolling pin. You can cut the it according to size of your bun but its optional.
- Marinate it with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and olive oil. Mix well and marinate for 1-2 hrs ideally or atleast 30 minutes if you are pressed for time.
- To make sauce combine mayonnaise, ketchup and chilli sauce. Set aside.
- Heat a grill pan or BBQ and cook chicken fillets on medium heat until fully cooked and golden on both sides.
- Once chicken is done put a cheese slice on the top and cover the pan with lid for couple of minutes so that the cheese melts.
- Slice onions and cook slowly in a little olive oil until soft and caramelised.
- Lightly butter and toast burger buns in a pan or on the grill.
Assembly
- On the bottom part of bun put salad/lettuce leaves, followed by chicken. Put tomatoe slice on the top. Add caramelised onions. On the top bun spread the sauce and place it over .
