This Air Fryer Chicken Burger is irresistibly moist and juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cooks in under 10 minutes. It's a fast way to serve chicken burgers with minimal effort. And don't miss out on our pro tip for toasting burger buns in the air fryer!
This air fryer chicken burger is completely made in the air fryer including cooking the chicken patties and toasting the burger buns.
It is a healthier alternative to traditional burgers, made from lean ground chicken, Plus, these chicken patties are freezer-friendly, making them perfect for a hassle-free air fryer chicken.
If you recall our beloved baked chicken burger featuring a chicken patty made with grated cauliflower and carrot for enhanced nutrition and moisture, this recipe is a subtle variation on that recipe.
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Why you'll love it?
- Moist, juicy chicken patty
- Plethora of serving suggestions
- 20 minute chicken recipe for dinner
- Healthier than regular burgers
Ingredients you'll need
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Ground chicken - As in all our easy ground chicken recipes, I use one pound of ground chicken which is perfect to make 4 burger patties. Ground turkey will make a great substitute.
- Panko - Provides structure, binds the ingredients together, and soaks up any juices released during the cooking process, like in air fryer stuffed mushrooms with cream cheese.
- Egg - The main binding ingredient to hold everything together.
- Cheese - Similar to the baked chicken meatballs in sauce, I use shredded mozzarella but feel free to use Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese.
- Mayonnaise - Just like yogurt sauce, mayo is indispensable for achieving the thick, creamy consistency.
- Franks hot sauce - I like to use Franks RedHot for it's spicy and tangy flavors.
- Garlic - Be sure to use a fine microplane grater when grating the garlic clove. Nobody enjoys biting into a chunk of raw garlic.
How to make chicken burger in air fryer?
You can find the full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
- Place ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, minced onion, garlic, salt, pepper and shredded mozzarella cheese in a large bowl.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions.
- Shape each portion into patties about 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
5 & 6. Pre heat air fryer to 365°F. When hot, place the shaped chicken patties in the basket and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked through. You don't have to flip them!
Tip: Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the patties.
Check for doneness - Press the center of the patty gently with your fingertip. If it feels firm and springs back, it is likely done. I also made air fryer chicken meatballs using the same mixture.
7 to 10. To make the sauce, add mayonnaise, Franks redhot sauce in a bowl. Finely grate the garlic using a microplane grater. Stir all ingredients together.
Toast burger buns in air fryer
- Spread a thin coating of mayo or soft butter on the cut side of all buns.
- Pre heat air fryer to 340 degrees.
- Place buns, without overlapping, mayo side up and air fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden in color.
- Transfer on to a plate and repeat process for remaining buns.
Tip: I was to place 4 bun halves in a single layer in my Instant pot Vertex air fryer.
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Assemble burgers
Spread the sauce on the toasted side of each halve, top with one cooked patty, sliced tomatoes, red onion and lettuce. If you're in the mood for a more traditional chicken sandwich, you might love these adorable chicken minis!
Tips for moist and juicy chicken burger
Moisture: I mix shredded mozzarella cheese into the ground chicken, which melts during air frying and helps keep the burger moist without drying out.
Don't Overmix: Overmixing the ground chicken can make the burgers tough. Gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated.
Add eggs: The egg helps to hold the burger together while retaining moisture.
Shape gently: Shape the patties loosely, as pressing them too firmly can result in dry burgers.
Avoid Overcooking: Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), usually 8 to 10 minutes in the air fryer, but avoid overcooking.
Make ahead instructions
- Chicken patties can be cooked in advance and refrigerated for up to 4 days. Bring them to room temperature before assembling or warm them in the microwave. They are also great to be stocked in the freezer for 2 months.
- Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Buns can be toasted up to a few hours ahead.
- Assemble burgers just before serving.
Recipe tips
- Adjust hot sauce based on your spice level. As in baked shrimp rolls, Sriracha will also make a great substitute. However, I like to stir in fresh lemon juice along with Sriracha sauce to balance the spiciness.
- Cheese - Shredded mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack or Mexican blend are all great options. Check out this chicken veggie meatballs using cheese as well.
- Use ground turkey instead of chicken. If you're interested in trying a pork option, you might want to give these pork burgers a try.
More ground chicken recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Burger
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken Burger Patties
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg, large
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or any other melting cheese
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise, addional mayo for toasting buns
- 2 tablespoons Franks RedHot sauce more or less depending on your taste
- 1 or 2 garlic cloves finely grated
Additional ingredients
- 4 burger buns
- Lettuce leaves as needed
- Tomato slices as needed
- Onion, sliced as needed
Instructions
- Place all chicken burger patty ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until evenly combined.
- Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into 4 to 5 inch diameter patties.
- Pre heat air fryer to 365°F. When hot, place the prepared chicken patties in the basket, without overlapping and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked through. You don't need to flip. Check for doneness - Gently press the center of the patty—if it springs back and feels firm, it's likely done. Alternatively, check with a meat thermometer; 165°F (74°C) means it's cooked through.
- Sauce - Add mayonnaise, Franks redhot sauce in a bowl. Finely grate the garlic using a microplane grater and stir all ingredients together. Refrigerate until serving.
- Toast buns - Spread a thin coating of mayo or soft butter on the cut side of all buns. Pre heat air fryer to 340 degrees. Place buns, without overlapping, mayo side up and air fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden in color.
- Assemble - Spread the sauce on the toasted side of each halve, top with one cooked patty, sliced tomatoes, red onion and lettuce. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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Kris Marie
These were the BEST chicken Burgers I've ever made or eaten!! I even made the siriacha mayo!! Absolutely incredible burger and a definite keeper! Thank you!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡