Chicken Parmesan Burgers
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With the comforting Italian flavors of Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken like marinara sauce and melty cheese, these Chicken Parmesan Burgers are the perfect handheld (and healthier) twist on the classic American burger!
Have I ever told you I’m not a huge fan of red meat? If it’s not seafood on my plate, it’s most likely chicken, vegetables, or plant-based dishes. So when it comes to burgers, I’ve got serious FOMO.
I love a Beyond Meat Burger or these Air Fryer Turkey Burgers, but I’ve had the urge lately to change things up. Cue these melt-in-your-mouth Chicken Parm Burgers.
It’s like my Chicken Parmesan Meatballs married a burger and had the most delicious babies. It’s weird but true.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier: Burgers are typically stigmatized as being high in fat and calories mainly due to the high-fat content of ground beef. However, chicken is a lean source of protein, making these burgers a bit more nutritious.
- Serve Your Way: If a classic hamburger bun isn’t your thing, these chicken parm patties are great alongside pasta, zoodles, salad, or veggies.
- Meal Prep Winner: These chicken parm burgers are delicious right out of the skillet, but they’re still plenty tasty as leftovers. Plus they take only 20 minutes!
Ingredients You Will need
- Ground chicken: You can use any type of ground chicken here, but I suggest something less lean for its juiciness.
- Italian bread crumbs: Act as a binder for the chicken patties while also adding the classic Italian flavors you love.
- Fresh basil: Fresh is key! Dried basil does not pack the same flavor and has a different texture/consistency.
- Marinara sauce: Store-bought or homemade is fine here!
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty flavor as well as richness.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded will get you the best melt! If you chill the cheese first, it’ll firm up and be easier to shred.
- Seasonings: A classic Italian combo does the trick.
*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients, and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.
Substitutions
- Panko: If you don’t have Italian bread crumbs, you can add Italian seasoning to panko or bread crumbs as a quick substitute.
- Lettuce Wrap: Looking for ways to make this recipe healthier? Switch out the bun for a lettuce wrap.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Burgers
Step 1: Toast the buns. Mix melted butter and minced garlic. Using a silicone brush, coat the inside of each burger bun with the butter mixture. Bake for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Form the burgers. Combine the ingredients needed for the chicken patties. Form chicken mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, about ¼” thick.
Step 3: Cook the chicken patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Then add the marinara sauce to the pan, top with cheese, and finish cooking.
Step 4: Serve. Spread marinara sauce from the pan on the bottom half of each bun, then layer with 2 fresh basil leaves and chicken.
Variations
- Vodka Chicken Parmesan Burgers: Replace the marinara sauce with vodka sauce.
- Pesto Chicken Parmesan Burgers: Replace the marinara sauce with pesto for a slightly healthier twist. You can even try my Basil Mint Pesto!
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes! This is one recipe I love to meal prep for the week. I’ll usually double the recipe and grab them as I need them. Usually, I’ll eat these without the bun and pack two in glass storage containers.
Aside from subbing the bun for lettuce and swapping out the traditional marinara sauce for pesto, you can sub the butter for olive oil! This is the one I use.
Burning butter is super easy to do; don’t sweat it, it happens to the best of us!
To keep the butter from burning, it’s best to remove it from the heat when there are a few small pieces left and stir until it’s completely melted.
Yes! Prep/assemble patties as instructed and place in the air fryer to cook at 375 F for 6-7 minutes on both sides. Add the mozzarella cheese and cook for 1-2 more minutes or until it’s melted.
More Chicken Recipes To Try:
- Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms
- Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Best Air Fryer Chicken
- Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken
- Old Bay Wings
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
If you tried this Chicken Parmesan Burgers recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Chicken Parmesan Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 stick softened butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 4 burger buns
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat on in the microwave for 20 seconds or until it’s completely melted.1/2 stick softened butter
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter and minced garlic. Lay each burger bun flat on a foiled baking sheet, inside facing up. Using a silicone brush, coat the inside of each burger bun with the butter mixture. Bake for 3-5 minutes or until the buns are toasted to your liking.1 tbsp minced garlic, 4 burger buns
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, basil, parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and salt. Form chicken mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, about ¼ inch thick.1 lb ground chicken, 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs, 4 fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high heat. Cook the chicken patties for 4-5 minutes on each side. Flip patties when the bottom has turned golden brown, then add the marinara sauce to the pan.2 cups marinara sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Top each chicken patty with mozzarella cheese and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer chicken patties covered with a tight fitting lid for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the patties are fully cooked.1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- To serve: Spread marinara sauce from the pan on the bottom half of each bun, then layer with 2 fresh basil leaves and chicken.
Notes
- Always use fresh basil for this recipe instead of dried!
- If you want to make this recipe healthier, swap the bun for a lettuce wrap.
- Freshly shredded cheese will always produce the best melt!
