This easy grilled chicken burger 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 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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How will this grilled chicken burger make your life easier?
This easy chicken burger recipe is great because you can just throw chicken breasts on the grill as is. No special marinade, just plain old simple cooking.
These burgers are 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.
Make sure to serve them with sides like this Easy Broccoli Salad, Shaved Zucchini Salad with Corn & Feta, Rainbow Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, No-Mayo Potato Salad.
What makes this sandwich so good?
- Chicken breasts
- Pepper jack cheese
- Red onion
- Beefsteak tomato
- Green leaf or romaine lettuce
- Hamburger buns
- BBQ sauce
How do I make these grilled chicken burgers?
Start by heating up your grill or grill pan. Once your grill is hot, place chicken breast(s) on grill. Start by cooking 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.
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. 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.
Expert 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 recipe.
FAQ
What toppings do you put on a chicken burger?
- Pepper jack cheese
- Red onion
- Beefsteak tomato
- Green leaf or romaine lettuce
- BBQ sauce
- Avocado
How long do you grill chicken?
Start by cooking for 5-6 minutes on the first side, then check doneness after 5-6 minutes on the second side.
Check doneness with an instant read thermometer or by cutting into the thickest part of the chicken, if the meat is white and juices are clear, it's ready.
What can I make using leftover ingredients?
- (chicken) 15 Minute chicken stir fry, maple chicken, bacon, and brussels sprout sheet pan meal, or chicken salad pitas
- (hamburger buns) Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- (pepper jack cheese) Grilled Turkey & (pepper jack) Sandwich (ie: sub the brie for pepper jack!)
Did you make these grilled chicken burgers? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
The Easiest Grilled Chicken Burger
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.
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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!