Name: Firecracker Chicken Burgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken; 1/3 cup red onion (finely chopped); 1/4 cup basil (finely chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons chopped jalapeño; 2 teaspoons crushed red chili flakes; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/3 cup Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded (or cheese of choice)); 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Buffalo Hot Sauce or Sriracha); 4 buns; lettuce; sliced red onion; Chili Mayonnaise; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 3 teaspoons Sriracha sauce; 2 teaspoons sambal oelek ((or Asian chili sauce)); 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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These Firecracker Chicken Burgers are bold, juicy, and ready for the grill in about 20 minutes. Made with ground chicken, chili peppers, Pepper Jack cheese, fresh basil, garlic, and a splash of hot sauce, they're an easy summer burger with just the right amount of kick.

For another delicious twist on classic burgers is this Greek Turkey Burger, also a reader favorite!

A firecracker chicken burger with lettuce, sliced cherry tomatoes, and pink sauce on a bun, served on a white plate with extra lettuce and cherry tomatoes on the side.

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What to Love About Firecracker Chicken Burgers

These are the burgers you will often find on my 4th of July grill. But they're perfect for backyard cookouts, weeknight grilling, any time of the year. These firecracker chicken in burger form feels especially fitting for summer though!

The burgers are flavorful enough to serve as-is, but the optional chili mayonnaise adds a creamy, spicy finish that makes them even better.

Here's why we love these burgers:

Big, bold flavor with adjustable heat
Made with simple ingredients and ready in about 20 minutes
A fun alternative to classic grilled burgers
Perfect for summer cookouts, backyard BBQs, and 4th of July menus
Easy to grill outdoors or cook indoors in a skillet or grill pan

What are Firecracker Chicken Burgers

Inspired by the flavors of Firecracker Chicken, these burgers are made with ground chicken, fresh herbs, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, cheese, and hot sauce. They're savory, slightly spicy, and quick to mix together before heading to the grill.

You can keep them mild by using fewer chili flakes and jalapeños, or turn up the heat with extra hot sauce or sriracha.

Ingredients

While you will find ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, here is a quick list of what's needed:

Ground chicken
Red onion, finely chopped
Fresh basil, finely chopped
Minced garlic
Jalapeño peppers (green or red), finely chopped
Red chili flakes
Ground ginger
Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese, or your favorite shredded cheese
Hot sauce like Buffalo Hot Sauce or Sriracha

Optional Chili Mayonnaise

This sauce, while entirely optional as the burgers are incredible just as they are, gives a little extra kick to these fantastic burgers. Here's what you need (measurements are in the recipe card below).

Mayonaise
Sriracha sauce
Chili sauce (like Sambal Oelek)
Fresh lemon juice
Drizzle of honey (optional)

If you're wondering whether Chili Mayonnaise is the same as Yum Yum Sauce, the answer is no. Although similar, yum yum sauce is made with a tomato paste base with additional savory ingredients.

You might try Thousand Island dressing or Chick-fil-A sauce for quick, easy, ready-made Chili Mayonnaise substitutions.

For a more classic cookout flavor, you can also swap the chili mayo for this easy homemade burger sauce, especially if you're serving both spicy and mild burgers.

How to Make Firecracker Chicken Burgers

Step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below, but here is a quick overview of how easy they are to make.

To begin, prepare an indoor or outdoor grill over medium heat. A cast-iron skillet works well if you're making them on the stovetop.

A clear glass bowl contains ingredients for firecracker chicken burgers: chopped red onions, shredded cheese, chopped herbs, diced red peppers, minced garlic, ground meat, seasonings, and a dollop of sauce arranged in separate piles.

Step 1: Add ground chicken, onion, basil, garlic, jalapeño, red chili flakes, ginger, cheese, hot sauce, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to a medium bowl.

A clear glass bowl containing a ground chicken, shredded cheese, chopped vegetables, and herbs sits ready to complement spicy firecracker chicken burgers, with a metal spoon resting inside.

Step 2: Mix until evenly incorporated without overmixing.

Four raw, uncooked firecracker chicken burger patties with visible chopped vegetables are cooking on a flat griddle.

Step 3: Form into four ½ inch-thick patties and press them firmly together. Grill the chicken burgers until cooked, 5-7 minutes per side.

Serving Ideas

Serve Firecracker Chicken Burgers on buns with slices of red onion, fresh garden lettuce or greens, and Spicy Chili Mayonnaise (see the recipe card below for ingredients).

Here are some side dishes that go well with grilled burgers:

If you're grilling these burgers, Sweet Grilled Corn on the Cob in foil packets is an easy side to add. Salads of all kinds, whether Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, pasta, or potato salad, make an excellent addition too. Have you ever tried making Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad?

And you can never go wrong with a Grilled Vegetables Platter!

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