Spicy Chicken Burgers

Name: Spicy Chicken Burgers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 6 large chicken thighs (boneless and skinless); 250 ml buttermilk; 2 tsp cayenne pepper (or other chilli powder); 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp ground turmeric; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp ground cumin; freshly ground black pepper; 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs (Panko); 1 tsp mild red pepper flakes; 250 ml mayonnaise; 2-3 Tbsp spicy Sriracha chilli sauce (or other hot sauce); 1 tsp fresh lime juice; 6 burger buns; 6 slices cheese; 2 large tomatoes (sliced); lettuce leaves; ¼ of a large Chinese cabbage (shredded); 2 carrots (peeled and grated); 1 spring onion (scallion, sliced); small bunch of fresh parsley (finely chopped); 4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 ½ Tbsp sunflower oil; 1 tsp white sugar; pinch of salt; fresh corn

There's nothing like a homemade burger, and my Spicy Chicken Burgers recipe is always a winner. With golden crumbed chicken thigh fillets, spicy Sriracha mayonnaise and fresh coleslaw, these bad boys beat store-bought burgers every time.

Jay Wadams
26th July 2022
4 Comments

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Burger season is well underway in my household! As the days get hotter and the summer holidays approach, we spend most of the time eating salads and grilled meats. That doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned the kitchen altogether, as one of my all-time favourite burgers is actually oven baked rather than grilled.

My Spicy Chicken Burgers are made from chicken thigh fillets, which are marinated in buttermilk to make them extra tender. Crumbed and roasted to golden brown perfection, they are so delicious on homemade burgers with plenty of spicy sauce.

Table of Contents

Spicy Crumbed Chicken Burgers serves with homemade coleslaw and fresh corn

I’ve also shared a recipe for a quick and easy coleslaw to go alongside.

Baked not Fried

They may not have a whole 11 secret herbs and spices, but these crumbed chicken thighs can definitely compete with the Colonel’s best!

The secret to perfectly juicy chicken is first marinating it in buttermilk (which makes it juicy and tender) and then baking it in the oven. Not only is baking way less stressful than deep frying, but it’s also lighter, healthier and super easy.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs with buttermilk and spices

Ingredients

To make my Spicy Chicken Burgers you’ll need the following main ingredients:

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: So much better than ground chicken! Chicken thighs are juicy, flavoursome and perfect for burgers.
Buttermilk: I mean the tangy, cultured kind, rather than buttermilk made from churning cream. The acids in the buttermilk tenderise the chicken, making it absolutely irresistible.
Spices: I use a mixture of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, turmeric, garlic powder and cumin. So tasty!
Mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce: Stirred together with a hint of lime juice, these two ingredients make the most delicious spicy burger sauce.
Burger toppings and buns: I like to keep my toppings simple: lettuce, tomato and cheese. If you like, you could add some red onion rings or jalapeños for a little extra kick. I like to bake my own Super Soft Burger Buns, but if you want to keep things easy, just use a good quality brioche bun.

Homemade soft burger buns — You can try making your own burger buns, or use some good quality brioche buns instead.

Instructions

First, you’ll need to marinate the chicken thighs in a mixture of buttermilk and spices. You can start this step up to 24 hours in advance, and at least 1 hour before cooking.
After the chicken has marinated, dredge it through some spiced bread crumbs, then roast in the oven for 40-45 minutes.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare your favourite burger toppings and my quick coleslaw.
Then all you need to do is assemble your burgers and enjoy!

Sliced Chinese cabbage, carrot, parsley and spring onion on a board with a chef's knife

Sliced Chinese cabbage, carrot, parsley and spring onion coleslaw in a bowl

Chicken Thigh vs. Chicken Breast

I always use chicken thighs in my burgers, because they are flavoursome, juicy and almost impossible to overcook. If you are determined to use chicken breasts, stir a little melted butter or olive oil through the bread crumbs and cook for 25 minutes at 220°C / 425°F / Gas 7.

Chicken thighs are one of the most forgiving cuts of meat to cook in the oven. Even if they have been overcooked, chicken thighs are likely to stay tender and juicy, so it is a great meat for beginner cooks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW LONG TO COOK CHICKEN THIGHS AT 350°F / 180°C?

Chicken thighs will cook at this temperature in around 40-45 minutes,

HOW TO TELL IF CHICKEN THIGHS ARE COOKED?

A lot of people are worried about raw chicken, but it is really very simple. If you insert the tip of a sharp knife into the chicken thigh at the thickest part, any juices should run clear. If you cook to the times given in this recipe you won’t have a problem at all.

If you are at all uncertain, I recommend using an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is cooked at an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F.

Can I prepare these burgers in advance?

You can marinate the meat up to 24 hours in advance. Chicken thighs also reheat well, so if you like, cook up the chicken thighs and reheat when you need them.

Looking for more easy burger recipes?

Why not try my Vegetarian Chickpea Burgers or Black Bean Burgers?