These Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers are juicy, flavorful, and topped with a creamy avocado cilantro sauce. Made with lean ground chicken, fresh cilantro, green onions, and lime zest, these burgers are perfect for summer grilling or an easy weeknight meal!
These juicy Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers are packed with fresh herbs, bright citrus, and savory garlic, then topped with a creamy avocado cilantro sauce that takes every bite to the next level. They are everything you want in a summer burger, light, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying without feeling heavy. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a backyard cookout or making a quick weeknight dinner on the stovetop, this chicken burger recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite!
Why You’ll Love These
Juicy and flavorful – ground chicken can sometimes be dry, but the combination of breadcrumbs, egg, fresh lime juice, and herbs keeps these burgers perfectly moist.
Healthy option – lean protein, fresh ingredients, and a Greek yogurt-based sauce make these burgers lighter than traditional beef burgers.
Quick and easy – great for busy weeknights or a last minute cookout option because everything comes together in about 30 minutes.
Great for meal prep – cook the patties ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week in burgers, lettuce wraps, grain bowls, or salads.
Ingredients You’ll Need
ground chicken – creates a lean, tender burger that is lighter than beef, but still incredibly satisfying. Using regular ground chicken (rather than all breast meat) helps keep the burgers juicy.
fresh cilantro – adds a bright, herbaceous flavor throughout the burgers. Finely chop it so it distributes evenly.
green onions – provide a mild onion flavor without overpowering the chicken. They also add freshness and moisture.
garlic – fresh minced garlic adds savory depth that pairs beautifully with the lime and cilantro.
fresh lime – using both the lime juice and zest gives these burgers bold citrus flavor. The zest contains fragrant oils that really brighten the entire recipe.
breadcrumbs – whole wheat breadcrumbs help bind the burgers together while keeping them tender and moist.
egg – acts as a binder and helps prevent the ground chicken burgers from falling apart during cooking.
seasonings – a combination of cumin, salt and black pepper to add flavor to the chicken burgers.
avocado cilantro sauce – made with avocado, Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt and a little water to thin out the sauce.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers
Mix the burger mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, chopped cilantro, green onions, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and cumin. Gently mix everything together until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the burgers dense instead of tender.
Form the patties. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and gently shape into patties about ½-inch thick. Since ground chicken is naturally sticky, lightly wetting your hands with water or oil makes shaping much easier. Place the patties on a parchment-lined plate while you heat your grill or non-stick skillet.
Cook the burgers. Heat a grill, grill pan, or large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly oil the cooking surface. Cook the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side, flipping only once, until they’re golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F using an instant-read thermometer. Allow the burgers to rest for a few minutes before assembling.
Make the avocado cilantro sauce. While the burgers cook, add the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salt to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust with additional salt or lime juice if needed.
Assemble the burgers. Lightly toast the hamburger buns. Spread a generous layer of avocado cilantro sauce on the bottom bun. Top with lettuce, the chicken burger, red onion slices, avocado slices if using, and another drizzle of sauce before placing the top bun on the burger. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Making the Best Chicken Burgers
Don’t overmix the meat – mix just until the ingredients are incorporated to keep the burgers tender and juicy.
Wet your hands – ground chicken is much stickier than ground beef. Wet clean hands to make shaping patties much easier.
Chill before cooking – if your patties feel soft, refrigerate them for 15–20 minutes before cooking. This helps them hold their shape better.
Use an instant-read thermometer – ground chicken should always reach 165°F on a meat thermometer for safe eating while remaining juicy.
Toast the buns – a lightly toasted bun adds texture and helps prevent the sauce from soaking through.
Make the sauce ahead – the avocado cilantro sauce can be made several hours in advance to save time.
Let the burgers rest – resting for 3–5 minutes after cooking helps redistribute the juices for a more flavorful burger.
Fresh lime makes a difference – freshly squeezed lime juice and zest provide much brighter flavor than bottled juice.
Optional Toppings
Fresh avocado
Crisp lettuce
Red onion (or pickled onions)
Sliced tomatoes
Pickled or fresh jalapeños
Pepper jack or monterey jack cheese
Fresh cilantro
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
Variations and Substitutions
Use ground turkey – If you don’t have ground chicken, ground turkey is a great substitute. Ground turkey thighs or a blend of dark and white meat will produce the juiciest burgers, while lean ground turkey breast works well for a lighter option.
Make them gluten-free – simply swap the breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Serve the burgers on gluten-free buns or wrap them in crisp lettuce leaves.
Add some heat – stir finely diced jalapeños or serrano peppers into the chicken mixture or add in a pinch of cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra kick.
Switch up the herbs – if you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute fresh parsley or even a combination of parsley and basil for a slightly different flavor.
Skip the bun – for a lower-carb or keto meal, serve the chicken burgers wrapped in lettuce bun or over a large salad with the avocado cilantro sauce as the dressing.
Make mini sliders – turn this recipe into party-friendly sliders by dividing the chicken mixture into 8 smaller patties and serving them on slider buns. Perfect for summer gatherings, game days, or meal prep lunches.
How to Serve
Grilled corn on the cob, this Mexican street corn salad or this black bean corn salad.
These sweet potato fries or baked potato wedges.
Roasted vegetable pasta salad, this caprese pasta salad or this summer pesto pasta salad.
Coleslaw, this healthy broccoli salad or this marinated summer caprese salad.
This fresh cucumber salad, this watermelon, cucumber feta salad or this red, white and blueberry fruit salad.
Meal Prep Tips
Prepare the avocado cilantro sauce up to a day in advance.
Mix and shape the burger patties the night before cooking.
Chop the toppings and store them separately for quick assembly.
Leftover burgers are fantastic sliced over salads, wrapped in lettuce, tucked into grain bowls, or served in tortillas for flavorful tacos.
Prepping and Storage
To Store – you can store leftover cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Store the avocado cilantro sauce separately in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Press plastic wrap directly against the surface to minimize browning.
To Freeze – you can freeze cooked or uncooked patties for up to 3 months. Separate uncooked patties with parchment paper before freezing for easy thawing.
To Reheat – reheat the burgers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. You can also microwave them in 30-second intervals, though the stovetop helps preserve their texture.
Pin this now to find it later
Follow on Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! These burgers cook beautifully on an outdoor grill. Just be sure to oil the grill grates well and cook over medium heat to prevent sticking.
Ground chicken naturally contains more moisture than ground beef, making it softer and stickier. Wetting your hands while shaping the patties makes them much easier to handle.
Yes! You can shape the patties up to 24 hours ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Yes. Freeze uncooked patties on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months.
Yes, although it’s best enjoyed fresh. To help prevent browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sauce and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
More Grilling Recipes
Hope you all enjoy these Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers! If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
Avocado Cilantro Sauce:
1 ripe avocado1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt1/4 cup fresh cilantroJuice of 1 lime1 garlic clove, minced1/2 tsp salt2-3 Tbsp water as needed for blending
For Serving:
4 brioche buns lightly toastedLeafy lettuceRed onion slicesAvocado slices