Looking for a healthier burger option that still delivers big flavor and satisfying texture? Try these Thai-inspired chicken burgers. Think Pad Thai between two buns: creamy peanut sauce, crunchy cabbage slaw, bright lime, and tender grilled chicken patties. They make a lively lunch or dinner any time of year.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Prepare the chicken patties
- Recipe Tip
- Step 2: Prepare the peanut butter sauce
- Step 3: Grill the Thai-inspired chicken burgers
- Grilled Chicken Tip
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Similar Recipe Ideas
- Thai Inspired Chicken Burgers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the chicken patties
For these burgers I used ground chicken for ease and consistency, but you can absolutely use finely chopped chicken thigh or breast if you prefer larger pieces. Ground chicken is lean and takes well to bold flavorings.
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 pound ground chicken with Thai seasoning paste, a tablespoon of an all-purpose rub or your favorite savory seasoning, minced garlic, freshly squeezed lime juice, and about 1/4 cup chopped green onions. Mix gently by hand until the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a flat patty roughly 1/4 lb each.
Place the patties on a tray and chill them in the freezer for about 1 hour. Firming the patties before grilling helps them hold their shape and prevents them from falling apart on the grates.
Recipe Tip
- Chopped cilantro makes a great addition to the patty mix for extra freshness and aroma.
- Because ground chicken is lean, adding a small amount of fat improves juiciness. Try a tablespoon of bacon fat, a drizzle of olive oil, or replace 1/4 pound of the chicken with ground pork for richer flavor and texture.
Season Well for Best Results
Bold seasoning helps ground chicken shine. Use garlic, ginger, and other strong flavors to build depth.
Step 2: Prepare the peanut butter sauce
The slaw and sauce bring the Thai notes to these burgers. In a bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, fish sauce (a little goes a long way), sriracha for heat, freshly squeezed lime juice, white vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Taste and adjust balance — more lime for brightness, more peanut butter for creaminess, or a bit more sriracha for heat.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of this sauce into a small dish and set aside to spread on the buns later. Add shredded red cabbage to the remaining sauce and toss until the cabbage is well coated. This peanut cabbage slaw provides crunch, tang, and the signature peanut flavor.
Step 3: Grill the Thai-inspired chicken burgers
Preheat your grill to around 375°F (190°C) and cook over direct heat. Place the chilled patties on the grates and grill for roughly 18–20 minutes total, flipping once halfway through. Use an instant-read thermometer: remove the patties from heat when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Let the patties rest for 10 minutes after grilling; carryover cooking will bring them to a safe 165°F (74°C) and the resting time helps redistribute juices for a moister burger.
Toast the burger buns, spread a little of the reserved peanut sauce on the bottom bun, add the grilled chicken patty, top with thinly sliced cucumber and a generous scoop of the peanut cabbage slaw, then crown with the top bun. Serve immediately.
Grilled Chicken Tip
- Sear the patties over direct heat and aim to remove them at 160°F; resting brings them to the final safe temperature.
- Resting for 10 minutes keeps the burgers juicy and makes slicing or handling much cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
The key is proper cooking and resting. Remove the patties from the grill at 160°F and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Carryover cooking will raise the internal temperature to a safe 165°F while the resting period helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
Ground chicken benefits from bold seasoning. Use garlic, ginger, soy sauce, citrus, and aromatics like green onions or cilantro. A tablespoon of concentrated seasoning per pound of meat is a good starting point; adjust to taste.
Similar Recipe Ideas
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Printer Friendly Recipe:
Thai Inspired Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
Chicken Patty Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground chicken
- 1 tbsp Thai seasoning paste
- 1 tbsp All-purpose rub or seasoning
- 1/4 cup Chopped green onion
- 1 Lime (juice)
- 4 Burger buns
Peanut Butter Sauce & Slaw
- 2 tbsp Creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Fish sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tbsp White vinegar
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 Lime (juice)
- 2 cups Shredded red cabbage
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with Thai seasoning paste, seasoning rub, minced garlic, lime juice, and chopped green onions. Mix gently to combine.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form flat patties about 1/4 lb each.
- Place the patties on a tray and freeze for 1 hour to firm up.
- While the patties chill, whisk together the peanut butter, fish sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, lime juice, white vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
- Reserve about 2 tablespoons of sauce for spreading on the buns. Toss the shredded red cabbage with the remaining sauce to make the slaw.
- Preheat a grill to 375°F and cook the chilled patties over direct heat for about 18–20 minutes, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove patties from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes to reach a final temperature of 165°F and redistribute juices.
- Toast buns, spread reserved peanut sauce on the bottom bun, add the grilled patty, top with sliced cucumber and a generous portion of the peanut cabbage slaw, then finish with the top bun.
Nutrition
Calories: 373 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29 g | Protein: 28 g | Fat: 17 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Sodium: 1082 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 6 g
Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty ideas!