This Juicy grilled chicken burger recipe for two is tender, juicy, and delicious with added cheese, grilled onions, tomatoes, and BBQ sauce. Plus it's super easy to make for guests or when you don't want to heat up your kitchen by using the oven.
[This grilled chicken burger recipe was originally posted in June 2018. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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Table of contents
This juicy chicken burger recipe is great because you can just throw a chicken breast on the grill or grill pan as is. No special marinade, just plain old simple cooking.
Enjoy with a friend or significant other, have a second for leftovers, or use the other chicken breast in a salad, or other chicken dish.
This burger is great topped with grilled onions, lettuce, pepperjack cheese, the blueberry mustard in this turkey sandwich recipe, or my favorite BBQ sauce. The chicken is delicious and juicy, but the magic lies in the toppings.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the grilled chicken burger recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick description of what's in this recipe.
- Chicken breasts
- Pepper jack cheese: or use your favorite cheese like American, cheddar, or mozzarella. All of these are great options for a grilled chicken burger.
- Red onion
- Beefsteak tomato
- Green leaf or romaine lettuce
- Hamburger buns
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
Scroll down to the grilled chicken burger recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. Heat up your grill or grill pan. Once hot, place chicken breasts on grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side, then check doneness after 5-6 minutes on the second side. Chicken will be done at 165 degrees F.
2. Once the chicken is done cooking turn off grill or remove grill pan from stove. Top each breast with a slice of your favorite cheese, loosely cover. It should melt while the chicken rests.
3. If desired, grill one (or 2) slices of onions per grilled chicken burger.
4. Prepare the toppings for your grilled chicken burger. Use what you have on hand or get some leaf lettuce, tomato, onions, and avocado for example. You can use the leftover veggies to make quick salads or to top sandwiches later in the week.
Serve with
- French fries
- Chips
- Easy Broccoli Salad
- Shaved Zucchini Salad with Corn & Feta
- Rainbow Coleslaw
- Cucumber Salad
- No-Mayo Potato Salad
Storage/Reheating Tips
Store leftover grilled chicken burger in an air tight container in the fridge for about a week. You can also store it in the freezer. To reheat, cover and microwave for about 90 seconds.
Lower the microwave power if you really don't want your grilled chicken burger to get tough. But it usually turns out fine for me, especially when covered.
Substitutions/Tips
- A cast iron skillet is also a great substitute for a grill/grill pan.
- Just use the size of chicken breasts that you find at your local grocery store. I've found many to be 6-8 ounces. Feel free to cut them in half if needed.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer, it should be 165 degrees or by slicing it down the center. Meat will be white inside, and juices clear.
- Cover chicken breasts with tin foil or a dome to melt cheese more quickly.
- Red onions add a great flavor, but you can honestly use any type of onion in this grilled chicken burger recipe.
- Other great toppings: ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, fresh onions, lettuce, sauteed onions, mushrooms, etc are good on a grilled chicken burger.
FAQ
Pepper jack cheese
Red onion
Beefsteak tomato
Green leaf or romaine lettuce
BBQ sauce
Avocado
Start by cooking for 5-6 minutes on the first side, then check doneness after 5-6 minutes on the second side. It should be 165 degrees (in the thickest part). Or make a small cut in a thick spot, if the meat is white and juices clear, it's done.
Chicken typically has less fat than ground beef. While I don't necessarily recommend choosing chicken over beef for nutrition alone, a grilled chicken burger can be delicious, especially with good toppings. Eat a variety of foods.
What can I make using leftover ingredients?
- Chicken: Maple chicken, bacon, and brussels sprout sheet pan meal, Chicken salad pitas, or Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich.
- Hamburger buns: Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Pepper Jack cheese: Grilled Turkey & (pepper jack) Sandwich (ie: sub the brie for pepper jack!)
- Vegetable toppings: add to a salad, like this Watermelon Chicken Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad with Spinach, and Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad.
Did you make this grilled chicken burger recipe? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
Juicy Grilled Chicken Burger (for two)
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- grill
- tongs
Ingredients
- 1 6-8 oz chicken breast
- salt and pepper
- 2 slices pepperjack cheese or cheddar
- ½ whole red onion sliced thinly
- ½ whole beefsteak tomato sliced thinly
- 2 leaves lettuce green leaf or romaine
- 2 hamburger buns whole wheat or white
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Start by heating up your grill or grill pan. Once your grill is hot, place chicken breast(s) on grill. Scroll down to see my tips on cooking adjustments for different sized chicken breasts. Start by cooking for 5-6 minutes on the first side, then check doneness after 5-6 minutes on the second side.
- Once the chicken is done cooking, top each breast with a slice of your favorite cheese. It should melt while the chicken rests.
- While the chicken breasts are cooking, grill one (or 2) slices of onions per burger.
- Next, prepare the toppings. Use what you have on hand or get some leaf lettuce, tomato, onions, and avocado. You can use the leftover veggies to make quick salads or to top sandwiches later in the week.
- Serve with french fries, veggie sticks, or any of these salads.
Notes
- A cast iron skillet is also a great substitute for a grill/grill pan.
- Just use the size of chicken breasts that you find at your local grocery store. I've found many to be 6-8 ounces. Feel free to cut them in half if needed.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer, it should be 165 degrees or by slicing it down the center. Meat will be white inside, and juices clear.
- Cover chicken breasts with tin foil or a dome to melt cheese more quickly.
- Red onions add a great flavor, but you can honestly use any type of onion in this recipe.
- Other great toppings: ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, fresh onions, lettuce, sauteed onions, mushrooms, etc.
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Whitney says
This is like summer in between a bun!! It looks amazing!
Rebecca says
totally! thanks
Elaine Benoit says
I haven't had a grilled chicken burger in forever and your recipe looks delicious and as you said, easy! Beautiful photos!
Rebecca says
ohh it's time then! and thanks! I love how they turned out as well
Taylor Kiser says
Such an easy dinner the whole family will love! These chicken burgers look amazing!
Rebecca says
thanks so much!
Lisa Bynum says
I love your pictures! They put me in the mood for a picnic. This would be such a healthy lunch idea.
Rebecca says
thanks so much! i appreciate it
Michelle says
That chicken burger looks AMAZING. I want it for dinner tonight!
Rebecca says
ahh thanks so much! now I do too
Abbey Sharp says
This is perfect summer food! Looks delicious
Rebecca says
thanks Abbey! it is!