Chicken Parmesan Burgers

Chicken and turkey burgers have a reputation for being dry and less flavorful than their beefy counterparts, but these chicken Parmesan burgers are a mouthwatering delight. Ground chicken is mixed with sauteed onions, garlic, marinara, breadcrumbs, mozzarella cheese and herbs, packing in flavor and moisture-preserving magic that keeps each patty moist and juicy. They’re pan-seared and finished with a generous slice of mozzarella, a spoonful of marinara and a bit of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Piled high on a fluffy bun, these chicken Parm burgers are the perfect Italian-inspired ode to an American classic. Enjoy them with a side of baked Parmesan-garlic potato wedges, zucchini fries or your favorite pasta side dishes for a complete meal.

Chicken Parmesan Burger Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Marinara
• Mozzarella cheese
• Bread crumbs
• Italian seasoning
• Dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• Ground chicken
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Hamburger buns

Directions

Step 1: Saute the onion and garlic

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s tender, about three minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute longer. Remove them from the heat and cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the patties

In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup of marinara sauce with the chopped mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs, seasonings and the cooled onion-garlic mixture. Add the ground chicken and mix lightly but thoroughly. Using wet hands, shape the mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Editor’s Tip: Overworking the meat is a common mistake when making burgers. Try to be gentle and handle the patties as little as possible, or the fat will begin to break down from the heat of your hands. Overhandling also compresses the meat, leading to tough, dense burgers.

Step 3: Cook the burgers

In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook them until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F, four to five minutes on each side.

Step 4: Add cheese

Top each burger patty with sliced mozzarella cheese, cover the pan and cook until the cheese is melted, one to two minutes.

Step 5: Assemble and serve

Place each chicken Parmesan burger patty on the bottom half of each bun. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup of marinara sauce between the burgers, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and, if desired, a few fresh basil leaves.

Editor’s Tip: For a fun twist, try using garlic bread instead of hamburger buns.

How to Store Chicken Parmesan Burgers

Chicken Parm burgers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight food storage container for three to four days. For the best taste, we recommend storing the burger patties, topped with cheese and marinara, separately from the buns to prevent the buns from becoming soggy. To reheat chicken parmesan burgers, warm the patties in the microwave or in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until they’re heated through.

Chicken Parmesan Burger Tips

What should you do if your chicken Parmesan burger patties fall apart?

If the ground chicken doesn’t hold together when shaping chicken Parmesan burger patties, try adding one beaten egg to the mixture. The egg will add additional moisture to the patties and act as a binding agent so they hold together. Some even say adding an egg is the secret to making burgers taste better, too.

What other cheese works well for chicken Parmesan burgers?

If you don’t have mozzarella on hand, you can swap in another soft, Italian melting cheese, like fontina or provolone. You can also use Romano or Asiago instead of Parmesan cheese.

Do you need to fully cook chicken Parmesan burgers?

Yes, all poultry products (including ground chicken used to make burgers) should be fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°.  Use an instant-read meat thermometer and probe the thickest part of the burger patty to test for doneness.