Description
Zesty chili lime chicken burgers dance with fresh avocado salsa, creating a Mexican-inspired flavor explosion. Juicy patties and creamy salsa deliver a perfect balance of heat and coolness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Binders:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for cooking)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
Avocado Salsa:
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Serving Components:
- 4 burger buns (or lettuce wraps for low-carb)
- ½ cup shredded lettuce or arugula
- Extra lime wedges
Instructions
- Craft the chicken patties by blending ground chicken with vibrant seasonings like lime zest, chili powder, and aromatic herbs until ingredients are harmoniously integrated.
- Shape the mixture into uniform patties, allowing them to rest in the refrigerator to solidify their structure and enhance flavor cohesion.
- Prepare a cooking surface by preheating a grill or skillet with a light olive oil coating, ensuring an even, moderate temperature.
- Cook the patties methodically, flipping once to achieve a golden exterior and ensuring the internal temperature reaches a safe 165F, which typically requires 5-6 minutes per side.
- While burgers cook, create a fresh avocado salsa by gently combining diced avocados, burst cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, and fragrant cilantro with a zesty lime juice splash.
- Season the salsa delicately with salt and pepper, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complementary flavors.
- Optional: Lightly toast burger buns to add a crisp texture and enhance the overall sandwich experience.
- Assemble each burger by layering a crisp lettuce base, placing the perfectly cooked chicken patty, and crowning with a generous spoonful of vibrant avocado salsa.
- Garnish with additional lime wedges to provide a bright, citrusy accent and allow diners to adjust the flavor profile to their preference.
Notes
- Chill the patties before cooking to help them maintain their shape and prevent crumbling during grilling.
- Use lean ground chicken for a healthier burger that stays moist with the added olive oil and zesty lime juice.
- Opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder or adding a dash of cayenne for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg