There's something truly satisfying about a burger that brings a little kick to the table, and this Buffalo Chicken Burger Recipe is just that. Packed with juicy ground chicken, fresh zucchini, and a bold buffalo sauce punch, it's a fresh take on classic comfort food that’s perfect for any night of the week.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made plenty of chicken burgers over the years, but this buffalo version stands out because it manages to be both flavorful and light without sacrificing juiciness. Once you try it, I bet you'll reach for it again and again.
- Fresh, Healthy Ingredients: Ground chicken combined with grated zucchini keeps the patties moist and adds a veggie boost you'll barely notice.
- Bold Flavor: The buffalo sauce gives these burgers a vibrant zing that livens up your typical dinner routine.
- Easy to Make: Minimal prep and simple steps make this recipe friendly for weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Customizable: Whether you prefer buns, lettuce wraps, or topping combos, this recipe adapts beautifully to your preferences.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a role in balancing flavor, texture, and nutrition. I find that choosing fresh, quality components really elevates the whole dish, and a few tips can help your burgers come out perfectly every time.
- Ground Chicken: I like to use 93-96% lean ground chicken for just the right balance of moisture and protein without excess fat.
- Grated Zucchini: Adds moisture and subtle flavor while keeping each burger juicy; just be sure to squeeze out the excess water so they don't get soggy.
- Green Onion: Provides a mild oniony brightness that complements the spice and herbs.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a lovely herbaceous note that's a perfect contrast to the buffalo sauce.
- Buffalo Sauce: This is the star of the show — choose your favorite brand or homemade version that packs heat and tang.
- Garlic Powder: A little punch of garlic deepens the flavor without overpowering the buffalo kick.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors in the patties.
- Buns or Lettuce: Depending on your dietary preferences and mood, soft buns or crisp lettuce wraps both work beautifully.
- Lettuce for Topping: Adds crunch and freshness to your burger build.
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy ranch is a classic pairing that cools down the heat just right.
- Additional Buffalo Sauce: For drizzling on top to boost that zesty buffalo flavor.
- Optional Toppings: Everything from sliced tomatoes, red onions, avocado, pickles, to cheese can be added for personalization and extra texture.
Make It Your Way
I often like to switch up the sauce amounts depending on my mood — sometimes mild, sometimes with extra heat. You’ll find the flexibility here just adds to the fun of making this your own signature buffalo chicken burger.
- Lettuce Wrap Option: When I’m cutting carbs, wrapping these juicy patties in crisp romaine or butter lettuce keeps things light but full of texture.
- Cheese Lover’s Variation: Adding a slice of sharp cheddar or blue cheese brings a creamy, tangy depth that balances the buffalo spice.
- Spicy Level Adjustments: If you love spicy, I recommend doubling the buffalo sauce inside the mix and an extra drizzle on top — just be ready with ranch or cooling toppings!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Burger Recipe
Step 1: Squeeze Out the Zucchini Moisture
Before mixing your ingredients, make sure to get as much water out of the grated zucchini as possible. I usually put it in a clean dish towel, wrap it tight, and give it a good squeeze over the sink. This step is key to avoiding soggy patties and keeping the burgers sturdy while cooking.
Step 2: Mix Your Burger Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken with the squeezed zucchini, sliced green onion, cilantro, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and salt. I find mixing gently with my hands works better than a fork — it helps everything come together without overworking the meat.
Step 3: Shape the Patties
Divide the mixture into four equal parts and form each into a patty roughly the size of your buns. Don’t press them too flat, as they shrink a bit when cooking but still need that nice burger heft.
Step 4: Cook the Burgers
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the patties, making sure they don’t touch so they get a good sear. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You want to see a golden crust around the edges but still juicy inside.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Place your cooked burgers on buns or lettuce wraps, then pile on lettuce, ranch dressing, a drizzle of buffalo sauce, and any extras like tomato, onion, or cheese. Serve hot and dive in!
Top Tip
From making this recipe multiple times, I've learned a few tricks that have made a world of difference in the outcome. These tips help guarantee juicy burgers with the perfect buffalo flavor every time.
- Always Squeeze the Zucchini: Skipping this turns your patties watery — don’t skip the squeeze or pat dry.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Ground chicken must hit 165°F for safety; this takes the guesswork out.
- Cook in Batches: Burgers cook better with room around them, so don’t overcrowd your pan.
- Let Patties Rest: After cooking, give them a minute to rest for juicy, tender bites.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Burger Recipe
Garnishes
I love layering crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce for crunch, a generous drizzle of cool ranch to balance the heat, and a few slices of ripe tomato for freshness. Sometimes I add pickles or avocado slices for texture and creaminess — these simple toppings really bring the whole burger together.
Side Dishes
Pairs beautifully with crispy sweet potato fries, crunchy celery sticks with blue cheese dip, or even a simple side salad with tangy vinaigrette. When I want something lighter, celery and carrot sticks soak up extra buffalo sauce perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day or casual dinner parties, I sometimes serve these burgers deconstructed in bowls — patties sliced over a bed of lettuce and topped with buffalo sauce, ranch drizzle, diced veggies, and crunchy toppings. It’s a fun way to let everyone customize their own bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover buffalo chicken patties keep well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the burgers separate from buns or fresh toppings to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked patties individually wrapped in parchment and placed in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
I usually reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat to crisp up the edges without drying out the patty. You can also use the oven at 350°F wrapped in foil to keep them moist. Microwave works in a pinch but tends to make them less juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just swap regular buns for gluten-free buns or use lettuce wraps and double-check that your buffalo sauce and ranch dressing are gluten-free versions.
No problem! You can reduce the buffalo sauce amount mixed into the patties to tone down the heat or choose a milder buffalo sauce brand. Adding extra ranch dressing when serving helps cool things down too.
Yes! You can mix and form the patties a few hours ahead, keeping them covered in the fridge until ready to cook. This makes dinnertime faster and less stressful.
Ground turkey is a great substitute if you want a similar flavor and texture. Just be mindful that some ground turkey varieties can be leaner, so you may want to add a bit of grated zucchini or a teaspoon of olive oil to keep them moist.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Burger Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to dinners because it hits all the right notes — spicy, juicy, fresh, and satisfying. I hope you’ll give it a try soon, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a delicious dinner for one. Trust me, you’ll be so glad you added this one to your recipe rotation.
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Buffalo Chicken Burger Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Paleo
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Burgers are a healthy, flavorful twist on the classic burger, featuring lean ground chicken mixed with grated zucchini and a spicy buffalo sauce kick. Perfect for a Paleo and Whole30-friendly dinner, they can be served on buns or wrapped in lettuce for a low-carb option.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken (93-96% lean)
- ¾ cup grated zucchini, excess moisture squeezed out
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. cilantro
- 2 Tbsp. buffalo sauce
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ¾ tsp. salt
For Serving
- Buns (or lettuce for lettuce wraps)
- Lettuce
- Ranch dressing
- Additional buffalo sauce
- Other burger favorites like sliced tomatoes, red onion, avocado, pickles, cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Zucchini: Squeeze the excess moisture out of your shredded zucchini by placing it in a clean paper towel or kitchen towel, wrapping tightly, and pressing firmly to remove as much liquid as possible to avoid soggy burgers.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, grated zucchini, sliced green onion, cilantro, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and salt. Stir with a fork or mix with your hands until ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and gently form each into patties approximately the size of your buns or slightly larger, keeping in mind the burgers will shrink slightly when cooked.
- Cook Burgers: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add burgers in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, ensuring they are fully cooked through.
- Assemble and Serve: Transfer cooked burgers to a clean plate. Build your burgers on buns or lettuce wraps, layering with lettuce, a drizzle of ranch dressing, additional buffalo sauce, and your favorite toppings like tomato, cheese, onion, or pickles. Alternatively, serve burgers on a bed of lettuce as a burger bowl.
Notes
- Be sure to thoroughly squeeze the zucchini to prevent excess moisture that can make the patties soggy.
- You can substitute buffalo sauce with your favorite hot sauce or make it milder by reducing the amount.
- For a low-carb or Whole30-compliant meal, serve the burgers in lettuce wraps instead of buns.
- Adding fresh herbs like cilantro enhances the flavor, but you can swap with parsley if preferred.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check doneness for juicy and safe burgers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger patty
- Calories: 157 calories
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 843.7 mg
- Fat: 5.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 24.8 g
- Cholesterol: 111.2 mg
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