Your favorite salad, in juicy burger form!
I have never been MORE excited to introduce you to a recipe than I am today!! These Chicken Caesar Burgers are BEYOND your wildest dreams. And here’s why:
- Flavor-packed patty. We’ve added a hint of Caesar dressing AND crushed up croutons INTO the burger patty to carry that classic taste all of the way through! (Tested with just breadcrumbs and they don’t have the nearly the same flavor, so avoid this!)
- Crunchy bite. Just like in the traditional salad, we’ve added a crispy Parmesan coating that hardens up into the perfect crunch on the outside of the patties! (Like you get with these Parmesan Crisps!)
- Made in a skillet. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a huge fan of grilling in the dead of Texas summer. These burgers actually do best when they’re cooked from the climate-controlled comfort of your kitchen 🙂
- Ready in 30 minutes. Yup, that’s it!
Justin and I got on a hamburger-making kick recently and came up with SO many fun and unique flavor combos. You’ve gotta’ try these Korean Beef Burgers, Greek Turkey Burgers, or these Enchilada Burgers next!
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Ground Chicken. This is a pretty lean meat that can even be subbed for ground turkey. Avoid using a red meat such as beef since it won’t have the same flavor.
- Croutons. Regular-flavored croutons are your best bet here. Avoid overly garlicky or salty ones.
- Caesar dressing. Since you don’t need much, a store-bought brand is a quick option, just make sure to pick one you really like the taste of. (We love Girard’s!) Or, if you’re feeling adventurous and have a little extra time, this homemade Caesar salad dressing is our go-to.
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is the best to use since it doesn’t have any anti-caking agents, meaning… it will melt nicely and crisp up beautifully in the skillet.
- Romaine lettuce. To keep it classic, this firmer, ribbed lettuce adds a subtle crunch that is great as a topping.
Step-by-step Instructions (with Photos)
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Pulse the croutons.
Add the croutons to a food processor and pulse a few times, then blend until you’ve got a coarse breadcrumb texture. Set some aside for the Caesar slaw later.
Mix and form the patties.
In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, croutons, Caesar dressing, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined, divide into four portions, and shape into burger patties.
Pro Tip: If the mixture feels sticky, a quick spritz of cooking spray on your hands makes it easier to handle.
Add the Parmesan coating.
Add some grated Parmesan to a plate and press each patty into the cheese to coat both sides. Press gently to help it stick so you get that golden crust on both sides.
Cook until golden and crispy.
Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the patties to a large skillet with oil and cook for several minutes per side, until the Parmesan is golden and the patties are cooked through.
Toss the Caesar slaw.
While the burgers are cooking, toss the romaine with the remaining Caesar dressing, a little Parmesan, and the reserved crushed croutons to make the slaw.
Build your burgers!
Place each patty on a toasted bun and top with a big scoop of Caesar slaw. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and an extra drizzle of dressing, if you’d like.
Pro Tip:
Pro Tip: Toast the buns under the broiler for an extra minute or two for a little extra crunch.
You can prep the patties a few hours in advance and keep them chilled in the fridge. Wait to add the Parmesan coating and cook until just before serving.
You can, but the cheese crust won’t develop quite the same. These do best in a skillet where the Parmesan can get golden and crispy.
No problem! Just crush the croutons in a zip-top bag using a rolling pin or the bottom of a measuring cup until they resemble coarse crumbs
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Chicken Caesar Burgers
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup croutons about ½ cup once ground
- 5 tablespoons Caesar dressing divided, plus more for serving
- 1 garlic clove finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 3 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
- 4 toasted hamburger buns
- Lemon juice from 1 lemon, optional
Instructions
- Add the croutons to a food processor. Pulse 2-3 times, then blend for 20-30 seconds until a coarse crumb forms.1 cup croutons
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ⅓ cup of the ground croutons (reserving the rest for the romaine topping), 2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into burger patties approximately 4 inches wide and 1 inch thick. If the mixture is sticky, lightly spritz your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking.1 pound ground chicken, 1 garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Place ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Dip the flat side of each patty into the Parmesan, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres, then flip and repeat on the other side.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the Parmesan forms a golden-brown crust and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.1 tablespoon avocado oil
- In a medium bowl, toss the romaine lettuce with the remaining 3 tablespoons of Caesar dressing, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and the reserved ground croutons.3 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
- Serve the patties on toasted buns topped with a generous scoop of the dressed romaine, a squeeze of lemon juice, and additional Caesar dressing, if desired.Lemon juice, 4 toasted hamburger buns
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Notes
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated will melt and crisp the best. Avoid pre-shredded kinds that have anti-caking agents since they won’t give you that beautiful crust.
- Croutons: Regular-flavored are your best bet. Avoid anything too garlicky or salty since the Caesar dressing already brings bold flavor.
- Ground chicken: You can swap in ground turkey if needed. Just stick to a lean, light meat for the best taste.
- Storage: Store any leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the Caesar slaw separate to avoid sogginess.
- Reheating: To keep the crispy Parmesan crust intact, reheat the patties in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side. Alternatively, you can pop them under the broiler for a minute or two to get them nice and hot without losing that golden crunch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What to serve with them?
As with all burger recipes, what better to serve them with than a side of fries!
These Air Fryer French Fries and Baked Parmesan Garlic Fries are classics. Or, you can switch things up with Baked Sweet Potato Fries or even Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries!
More Homemade Burger Recipes
As I’ve already alluded to, we are BIG burger fans in our house! Here are a few more of our favorites that you should try out next.
Hands down my favorite creation that came out of our Not-Your-Basic burger week series!! The crispy Parmesan coating on the ground chicken patties is so delicious. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did making them!
XOXO
– London
Is the nutria ta for a burger with a bun or just the chicken burger?
Hi Stephanie! The nutrition includes the calories from a standard hamburger bun (about 120 calories.) Double check the buns you’re using because it might add or decrease the calories. Thanks!