Fiery Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Get ready to spice up your meal routine with these incredible
Buffalo Chicken Burgers! If you’re a fan of the classic
zing of buffalo wings but crave something new and exciting, these burgers
are about to become your new obsession. Crafted with a perfect blend of
lean ground chicken, fiery buffalo sauce, aromatic spices, and fresh, crisp
vegetables, they offer all the iconic flavors you love in a hearty,
satisfying patty.

What makes these burgers truly stand out isn’t just their fantastic
flavor, but also their incredible versatility. Looking for a healthier
option? Simply ditch the traditional buns! Serving them wrapped in crisp
lettuce transforms them into a wholesome, gluten-free, and low-carb meal,
making them an ideal choice for those following a keto diet or anyone
mindful of their carb intake. They truly embody healthy eating without
compromising on taste.

For a truly immersive “Buffalo Style” dining experience, consider pairing
these delectable burgers with complementary sides. Imagine the creamy,
tangy goodness of a Buffalo Potato Salad
or the satisfying kick of a Spicy Buffalo Macaroni Salad. These pairings elevate a simple burger night into a full-blown culinary
celebration that your taste buds won’t soon forget.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Buffalo Chicken Burgers

I’ve been passionately crafting these buffalo chicken burgers since 2012,
and my enthusiasm for them hasn’t waned a bit! There’s something uniquely
captivating about transforming the beloved flavors of buffalo wings into a
juicy, grilled burger. It’s a delightful and unexpected twist on a
traditional cheeseburger, bursting with an irresistible depth of flavor that
makes every bite an experience. This recipe consistently delivers on taste,
making it a perennial favorite in my kitchen.

These burgers brilliantly capture the essence of everything you cherish in
classic buffalo wings. Imagine tender chicken infused with that signature
tangy heat, complemented by the fresh crunch of carrots and celery sticks,
all brought together with rich buffalo sauce and the creamy, piquant notes
of blue cheese dressing. It’s a harmonious blend of textures and tastes
that truly wins every time. Forget the mess of traditional wings – these
burgers offer all the flavor without the fuss!

Perfect for Any Occasion: Quick, Easy, and Versatile

Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer barbecue, hosting a lively
football season watch party, or simply seeking a quick and effortless
dinner solution any night of the week, these buffalo chicken burgers are
your perfect go-to. They are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just
29 minutes from start to finish. This means less time in
the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious, flavorful food with family
and friends. You simply can’t go wrong with such a tasty and straightforward
burger recipe!

One of the many benefits of this recipe is its excellent make-ahead and
storage capabilities. You can easily prepare extra burger patties and
refrigerate or freeze them for future meals. In fact, I often recommend
doubling this recipe to make eight buffalo chicken burgers. I’ll typically
grill two immediately for dinner, refrigerate two for a convenient lunch or
dinner later in the week, and freeze the remaining four. This simple
strategy ensures you always have a delicious, homemade meal ready to go,
saving you time and effort on busy days.

Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, and Keto-Friendly

For those actively looking to reduce their carb intake, eliminate gluten
from their diet, or adhere to a keto lifestyle, these buffalo chicken
burgers offer a fantastic solution without sacrificing any of the robust
flavor. The simplest trick to making them super healthy is to
skip the bun altogether. By wrapping your juicy burger
patties in crisp lettuce leaves, you instantly reduce 22 carbs
per serving! The real star of this dish is undeniably the
flavorful burger patty itself, packed with zesty buffalo goodness, so you
won’t even miss the bun. This makes them perfectly suitable for a variety
of dietary needs, allowing everyone to enjoy this mouthwatering meal guilt-free.

Ingredients: The Heart of Your Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Creating the perfect buffalo chicken burger starts with selecting quality
ingredients and understanding their role in delivering that signature taste
and texture. Here’s a deeper look into what you’ll need:

• Ground chicken: The foundation of our burger! Opt for
  lean ground chicken for a healthier alternative to beef. It provides a
  mild canvas that perfectly absorbs the bold buffalo flavors. If you
  prefer, this recipe is also incredibly adaptable to ground turkey, allowing
  you to create equally delicious buffalo turkey burgers.
• Celery: Crucial for that authentic buffalo wing
  experience, the finely chopped celery adds a refreshing crunch and a subtle
  earthy note that balances the spiciness. Ensure it’s chopped very finely
  so it integrates seamlessly into the burger patty as it cooks, rather than
  creating large, disruptive chunks.
• Carrots: Another classic companion to buffalo wings,
  finely shredded carrots introduce a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
  Like the celery, shredding them finely ensures they soften and blend into
  the burger, adding moisture and flavor without being overtly noticeable in
  texture.
• Onion: For this recipe, I find that a red onion offers a
  sharp, slightly piquant flavor that beautifully complements the other
  ingredients and cuts through the richness. However, if a red onion isn’t
  available or you prefer a milder taste, a yellow or white onion will also
  work wonderfully, adding a foundational aromatic layer to the patties.
• Garlic cloves: Freshly crushed garlic cloves are
  non-negotiable for the best flavor! Their pungent, aromatic essence is key
  to building a complex flavor profile in your burgers. While garlic powder
  can be used in a pinch, fresh garlic delivers an unparalleled depth that
  you won’t want to miss.
• Egg + breadcrumbs: These are your essential binding agents.
  The egg helps to moisten the mixture and hold everything together,
  preventing the patties from falling apart on the grill or in the skillet.
  Breadcrumbs absorb excess moisture and add structure, ensuring a tender
  yet firm burger.
• Buffalo sauce: The star of the show! For consistency and
  that classic taste, I personally favor Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce. Its
  perfect balance of heat and tang is exactly what we’re looking for.
  However, feel free to use your absolute favorite brand of buffalo sauce to
  customize the heat and flavor to your liking.
• Chili powder + paprika: These spices are not just for heat
  but also for depth and color. Chili powder adds a warm, earthy spice,
  while paprika contributes a subtle sweetness and a beautiful red hue,
  enhancing both the taste and visual appeal of the burger patties.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Perfect Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Making these flavorful burgers is a straightforward process, ensuring a
delicious meal in under 30 minutes. Follow these detailed steps for the best
results:

1. Prepare the Burger Mixture: In a large mixing bowl,
   begin by combining your main ingredients: the pound of ground chicken,
   finely chopped celery, finely shredded carrots, finely chopped red
   onions, and the freshly crushed garlic cloves. Mix these ingredients
   thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
2. Add Binders and Flavorings: Next, add the binding agents
   and key flavor components to the bowl. Crack in one egg, pour in ¼ cup of
   your chosen buffalo sauce, add ½ cup of breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of chili
   powder, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Gently mix everything together until
   just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough burgers, so stop once the
   ingredients are incorporated.
   • Quick Tip for Dietary Needs: If you’re aiming for
     low-carb, gluten-free, or keto-friendly burgers, you can easily
     substitute traditional breadcrumbs with healthier alternatives.
     Consider using spicy nut crumbs
     (which contribute around 7 carbs per patty) or pork panko
     (a fantastic option at just 4 carbs per patty). These substitutes
     maintain the binding and texture without the added carbs. If the
     mixture feels a bit too wet after combining, simply add 1-2
     tablespoons of your chosen breadcrumb substitute until it reaches a
     manageable consistency for forming patties.
3. Form the Patties: Once your mixture is ready, divide it
   into four equal portions and carefully form them into burger patties. Aim
   for consistent size and thickness to ensure even cooking. Making a slight
   indentation in the center of each patty can help prevent them from bulging
   in the middle during cooking.
4. Cook the Burgers: Place each chicken patty on a preheated
   grill over medium heat or in a skillet on the stove over medium heat. Cook
   for 8-10 minutes per side. The most crucial step is ensuring the burgers
   are cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal
   temperature; it should reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
5. Prepare the Signature Sauce: While your burgers are
   cooking, it’s the perfect time to whip up the essential buffalo blue
   cheese sauce. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of buffalo sauce with ¼ cup
   of blue cheese dressing. Stir until well blended and creamy. This sauce
   will elevate your burgers to wing-level deliciousness!
   • Quick Tip for Blue Cheese Skeptics: Not a fan of
     blue cheese? No problem at all! You can easily substitute the blue
     cheese dressing with an equal amount of creamy ranch dressing for a
     milder, yet equally flavorful, sauce.
6. Toast the Buns (Optional): If you are serving your
   burgers on buns, take a moment to toast them on the grill or in the
   skillet. This adds a nice texture and prevents the buns from becoming
   soggy.
7. Assemble and Serve: Once the burgers are cooked, remove
   them from the grill or skillet. If using buns, spread a generous amount of
   your freshly made buffalo blue cheese (or ranch) sauce onto each side of
   the toasted bun. Place a chicken patty on the bottom bun.
8. Top with Goodness: Finish your burgers by sprinkling
   them with blue cheese crumbles (if desired) and a selection of your
   favorite additional toppings. I love to mix it up with fresh slices of
   tomato, crisp lettuce, nutritious baby spinach, thinly sliced red bell
   pepper, and a sprinkle of diced green onions for extra freshness and bite.
   If blue cheese isn’t your preferred topping, melting a slice of pepper
   jack cheese or cheddar cheese directly onto the hot burger patty before
   serving is another fantastic option that adds a wonderful creamy, cheesy
   layer.

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Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Ground chicken is combined with buffalo sauce and vegetables to create
delicious buffalo chicken burgers! Ditch the buns to make them gluten
free and keto!

Servings:
4
burgers

Prep Time: 9
mins

Cook Time: 20
mins

Total Time: 29
mins

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Video

Ingredients

• 1
  pound
  ground chicken
• ¼
  cup
  celery,
  finely chopped
• ¼
  cup
  carrots,
  peeled and shredded
• ½
  cup
  red onion,
  finely chopped
• 3
  garlic cloves,
  crushed
• 1
  egg
• ¼
  cup
  buffalo sauce
• ½
  cup
  breadcrumbs
• 1
  tablespoon
  chili powder
• 1
  teaspoon
  paprika
• 4
  hamburger buns
• ¼
  cup
  blue cheese crumbles

Buffalo Blue Cheese Sauce

• ¼
  cup
  buffalo sauce
• ¼
  cup
  blue cheese dressing

Optional Toppings

• tomatoes,
  sliced
• baby spinach
• red bell peppers,
  sliced
• green onions,
  diced

Instructions

1. Combine the ground chicken, celery, carrots, red onion and garlic
   in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the egg, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, breadcrumbs, chili powder and
   paprika.
3. Form into 4 patties.
4. Place on the grill over medium heat for 8-10 minutes per side,
   or until the internal temperature of the burger reaches
   165°F.
5. While the burgers are on the grill combine the additional ¼ cup
   buffalo sauce with ¼ cup blue cheese dressing to make the
   sauce.
6. Toast the buns, then spread the sauce onto each side of the
   bun.
7. Remove the burgers from the grill and place onto the bun.
8. Top with the blue cheese crumbles and any desired additional
   toppings.

Notes

• To make these burgers low carb, gluten free or keto, use a low carb breadcrumb substitute. These spicy nut crumbs
  and pork panko, are both great options.
• Uncooked, these burger patties will stay good in the refrigerator for
  2-3 days.
• Cooked, these burger patties will stay good in the refrigerator for
  5-6 days.
• You can also freeze the burgers for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 476kcal (24%)Carbohydrates 47g (16%)Protein 32g (64%)Fat 17g (26%)Saturated Fat 5g (25%)Cholesterol 144mg (48%)Sodium 1730mg (72%)Potassium 860mg (25%)Fiber 3g (12%)Sugar 7g (8%)Vitamin A 2365mg (47%)Vitamin C 3.1mg (4%)Calcium 224mg (22%)Iron 4.5mg (25%)

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