Description
These Chicken Caesar Burgers offer a delicious twist on a classic burger by infusing the flavors of a Caesar salad into juicy ground chicken patties. Coated with a crispy Parmesan crust and topped with crunchy romaine lettuce tossed in Caesar dressing and croutons, this recipe makes a perfect, flavorful meal that can be whipped up quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers
- 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 grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
For the Topping
- 3 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
- Reserved ground croutons from above
- 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing (from the 5 tablespoons total)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (from the ¾ cup total)
- Lemon juice from 1 lemon (optional)
- 4 toasted hamburger buns
Instructions
- Prepare Crouton Crumbs: Add the whole croutons to a food processor. Pulse 2-3 times to break them up, then blend for 20-30 seconds until a coarse breadcrumb texture forms. Reserve about â…“ cup ground croutons for the burger mixture, and keep the rest for the lettuce topping.
- Mix Burger Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, â…“ cup of the ground croutons, 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, finely minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to maintain tenderness. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into patties about 4 inches wide and 1 inch thick. If the mixture sticks, lightly spray your hands with cooking spray.
- Coat Patties with Parmesan: Pour ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese into a shallow bowl or plate. Dip each side of the patties into the Parmesan to coat evenly, pressing lightly to help it adhere. This will create a crispy crust during cooking.
- Cook the Patties: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated patties in a single layer and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Cook until the Parmesan crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safely cooked through.
- Prepare the Romaine Topping: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced romaine lettuce with the remaining 3 tablespoons Caesar dressing, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, and the reserved ground croutons from step 1. This mixture adds crunch and flavor atop the burger.
- Assemble and Serve: Place each cooked patty on a toasted hamburger bun. Top generously with the dressed romaine mixture. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if using, and extra Caesar dressing if desired. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh ground chicken with a little fat content for juiciness.
- If you don’t have avocado oil, substitute with a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially the salt since Parmesan and Caesar dressing already contribute saltiness.
- Toasting the buns adds a nice crunch and prevents sogginess from the toppings.
- Make sure to cook chicken burgers thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
