Mini Chicken Burgers
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This Chicken Burger Recipe is a kid and adult fave! Make ahead and freeze a batch for later or make them tonight for a delicious and healthy dinner. You can also make Air Fryer Chicken Burgers instead.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ve been making these Mini Chicken Burgers for well over a decade now. In fact, my Freezer Club deemed them a “home run” recipe, and it became one that we made for our group several times per year!
- Tasty? Check.
- Kids like them? Check.
- Easy to make? Check.
- Healthy? Check.
- Freezable? Check.
Ingredients Notes
Similar to our Turkey Burger Sliders, the ingredients are simple and recognizable.
- Ground chicken – I like to use the leanest cut, but it’s up to you. You can also substitute ground turkey.
- Minced garlic – I buy the jarred kind to save time.
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley – Curled leaf will work as well.
- Whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs – make your own breadcrumbs using this method.
- Sliced provolone – Mozzarella will work as well.
- Optional toppings: lettuce or arugula, tomato slices, mayo, thinly sliced red onion
How to Make Chicken Burgers
Form the Patties
In a large mixing bowl, use clean hands to combine the chicken burger ingredients. Form mini patties and coat each one in some breadcrumbs.
Cook on the Stovetop
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmery. Add half of the patties and cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until browned and cooked through.
If desired, add 2 little pieces of cheese to the top of each burger in the last minute of cooking. Transfer to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Add more oil to the pan and repeat with remaining patties.
How to Freeze Chicken Burgers
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for make-ahead freezer meals.
Not only have we written two freezer meal cookbooks, but we also have some amazing 1 Hour Freezer Prep Plans that walk you through how to make 6 meals in one hour.
Freeze For Later: Form the patties, dredge in breadcrumbs, and freeze uncooked burgers in single layers between parchment paper either in a gallon-sized freezer bag or freezer container. Seal well and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Cook according to instructions.
FAQs
Chicken burgers are often considered to be healthier than beef burgers, because they are generally lower in fat and calories.
Yes! Chicken Burgers can be made in the air fryer. In fact, we have an entire post walking you through how to make Air Fryer Turkey Burgers. Even though these are for turkey burgers, the same instructions apply.
Yes! Use almond flour in place of the bread crumbs or make your own gluten-free breadcrumbs using toasted, gluten-free bread. I have found that store-bought gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs (made with rice flour) stick to the pan and don’t yield good results, so I don’t recommend those.
Yes. Form the patties, dredge in breadcrumbs, and freeze uncooked burgers in single layers between parchment paper either in a gallon-sized freezer bag or freezer container. Seal well and freeze.
We have two suggestions for how to serve chicken burgers.
1. Serve them a la carte with Avocado Aioli on top or on the side. Dipping each bite of my mini chicken burger in the avocado aioli is my hands-down favorite way to eat them! The sauce is super easy to whip up.
2. Serve them on a bun, topped with your favorite cheese if you want. I would suggest Provolone or Havarti cheese over the top, but pick whatever kind you love. Kids especially love the burgers served this way. You can also top them with lettuce or arugula, tomato slices, and that amazing Avocado Aioli I mentioned.
As for side dish ideas, we enjoy sweet potato fries or Oven Fries and some fruit for a simple weeknight meal.
More Kid-Friendly Recipes
Looking for more easy, kid-friendly freezer meals like this one? We have a whole round-up of 30+ Kid-Friendly Freezer Meals or get started with a few of these favorites…
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Mini Chicken Burgers
Mini Chicken Burgers with Herbs are kid-friendly, healthy, and tasty. Freezer meal instructions included. This meal is a winner dinner again and again!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken (sub: ground turkey)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs (recommend: whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs or Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- Optional for serving: 16 slider buns, cheese slices, favorite burgers toppings, Avocado Aioli
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Instructions
Make It Now:
- In a large bowl, use a fork or your hands to gently combine the ground chicken, garlic, parsley, oregano, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 16 small patties.
- Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish. Coat each patty in the crumbs on both sides; set aside. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmery. Add some of the patties (try not to overcrowd the pan) and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until browned and cooked through. They are cooked through when there is no longer any pink inside or they reach 165°F internally. (Note: If the patties brown before they’re cooked through, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and continue to cook for a few minutes more.) Repeat this step with the remaining oil and patties.
- Serve the chicken burgers a la carte or on mini buns with a cheese slice on top, if desired.
Freeze For Later: Follow Steps 1-2. Place the patties on a parchment or wax paper lined baking sheet in a single layer and set in the freezer to flash freeze for about an hour. After they are frozen, transfer to a large resealable bag and store for up to 3 months.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the patties overnight in the refrigerator. Follow Steps 3-4.
Notes/Tips
For a Gluten-Free Option: Coat the mini chicken burgers in almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. If serving on buns, use gluten-free buns.
Where We Get Our Ground Chicken: We get our meat from ButcherBox. The chicken is organic and curated from small, trusted farms. We highly recommend this service to source healthy meat–like uncured bacon, wild salmon, and grass-fed beef–and have used it for years ourselves. Read my honest review here.
This is my 2 year olds favorite dinner recipe. So easy and friendly for dairy and egg allergies. Thank you!
Hi Sara. Glad you found a recipe that works with your family’s allergies! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Trying this tonight 🤞 my guys are big into burger during the warm season and I am not a fan. Hoping to find an alternative that I can enjoy while they get their fill of burgers!
Hi Megan! I hope you love it like my family does!
These mini chicken burgers are perfect! The breading stays on in the freezer bags so the burgers are crispy on the edges when cooked. The seasoning is just right. I freeze Hawaiian rolls separately to go with them.
Yes! These sliders have been around since Rachel and I were first in a freezer club like 15 years ago! My family devours them. 🙂
These are the perfect serving size to be able to enjoy side dishes with.
I have two questions. I also have some Butcher Box ground chicken, which is frozen. Is it okay to thaw it, then prep the chicken burgers, then freeze then again before coming? Alternately, would it work to freeze these after they are cooked? Just trying to figure out the best way to make them!
Great questions. We get these a lot. 1) It’s absolutely safe to do that and really does work out just fine. Just be sure to use your ground chicken right away after it’s thawed. 2) I don’t personally recommend freezing these after they are thawed, just because they may get overcooked and dried out when rewarming. However, if you have leftovers you won’t get to, it’s always worth a try! Let me know if you do and how it turns out. I’m always learning, too!
What are your thoughts on using ground turkey instead of groud chicken?
I’ve done it and it works just fine!
Can I cook these then freeze them for my family to reheat?
Yes, you certainly can but I think they turn out best when you freeze them BEFORE cooking them. See our freezing instructions for the best way to prepare them for the freezer.
Burgers are yummy. I made 4 big ones and served them with spaghetti squash and marinara per your good suggestion. Thanks for the recipe. Will make again!
Yummy! Sounds delish.
Just found your website when I was looking for freezer meals. I’m in Australia but my sister and her husband are coming for a month’s visit from the US. I wanted some different meals to freeze and was so excited to see such a variety here! Such a blessing…thanks so much for such a great site! Can’t wait to try them out!
Great idea to stock up for the family!! That way you can enjoy relationship time and not stress about food. Have a wonderful visit.
Oh. My. God. These were soooo good! I didn’t make the mini versions and they made fantastic, juicy burgers. Love the idea of the lemon juice. Thanks!
Oooo, that’s awesome that they were a hit. I’m obsessed with them, too.
Hey Rachel, I tried these burger patties and they turned out so beautiful! My entire family enjoyed it. Thanks a ton! Brilliant recipe and its so easy! I loved it! 😀
Awesome to hear, Janhavi! I need to make these again soon. Miraculously, no one ever complains at dinner with these.
JUST HAPPENED ON THIS GREAT PAGE ANAD THESE WONDERFUL SUGGESTIONS AS I WAS SIGNING UP FOR TAKE THEM A MEAL.
LOVE these recipes and really cant wait to try some of them. The family
we are signing up for have two little girls so was looking to see something I could add to my chicken n dumplings meal that the kids might enjoy..just in case, Going to do these chicken burgers for sure. They sound so great and would be great for them to have on hand even for a lunch if they don’t use for /with my dinner. Going to get myself signed up for sure..and love your presentation and directions for the recipes!! How could I not be successful with so much help from you. Thanks so Much!!
Thanks Mary Anne. It’s always encouraging to hear that our recipes (and blog in general) is helpful, so thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. In my humble experience, these chicken burgers are always a win.
I made these and they were so yummy! Everyone loved them, but my picky eater she saw the parsley. Next time I’ll make it smaller :)Thank you for the delicious recipe, I’m always nervous trying a new recipe off the internet since everyone has different taste, but this was great!
Oh those keen eyes of picky eaters! 🙂
Did you ever BBQ these? Would prefer to as oppose to frying on oil
Tnx
Hi Sue, I have not grilled them. If you do, I would suggest not dipping them in the bread crumbs. You could stir some of the bread crumbs into the mixture, though. We just had these last night and they are so flavorful. Hope you enjoy them and the grilling works out. I think it sounds yummy.
Thanks so much. I would love to get Into freezing a bunch of meals and the ones on this site look awesome! Keep them coming 🙂