These fiery chili chicken burgers are seasoned with roasted red chili paste, garlic and cilantro! Served with a cool mint lemon yogurt sauce they make a perfect fast, easy and healthy meal!
So these Fiery Chili Chicken Burgers aren’t really that hot. Certainly not hot enough to warrant a Cool Lemon Mint Yogurt Spread. But you’re gunna wanna generously dollop that on top anyways because it’s fantastic. Finger lickin’ good. Surreptitious-spoon-dipping-into-the-bowl-too-many-times-to-count-good.
The roasted red chili paste and cilantro in the burgers are addicting all on their own, but with the yogurt spread you are going to dream about them! My husband Loved (with a capital "L") them. They are healthy, fresh and easy enough for a weeknight meal! Each serving has over 28 grams of protein and only 172 calories!
I used a combination of mascarpone cheese and Greek yogurt in the spread because the mascarpone adds a nice smooth, creamy texture and cuts some of the tartness from the yogurt and lemon. You will want to eat this as a veggie dip, on top of falafels, and straight off the spoon. It so creamy, minty, and perfectly tart! And when you pair it with the roasted red pepper cilantro burgers and toasted ciabatta bread, you have yourself a little BIG bite of Heaven.
Since it is well known around these parts that I am terrified of a real grill and I much prefer the safety of my kitchen, I made these in my grill pan.
I use the same technique as my Foolproof Chicken, which also makes these burgers foolproof. I even cooked my first batch longer than was strictly necessary and they were still juicy, tender and perfectly delicious! Heat up your grill pan, brush it with olive oil, throw down the patties, place a foiled covered cast iron pan on top, and grill to perfection.
I actually would not recommend making these on a traditional grill because ground chicken is little looser than ground beef and may slide through the grates and that would be sad indeed. Full disclosure: these burgers really aren’t hot at all, but I just loved the name so much and I’m such a heat weenie that the flavor from the chilies was all I desired. You can feel free to bump up the chili paste or add in some dried crushed red pepper. Or Sriracha (you know who you are…)
I also threw together an easy carrot and cucumber salad that can be eaten on top of the burgers or as a nice side dish (or not at all!). I liked the bit of crunch that it added to the burgers but they were also sensational with just the sauce.
Fiery Grilled Chicken Burgers with Cool Lemon Mint Sauce
Ingredients
For the Burgers:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 teaspoons roasted red chili paste
- 3 tablespoons cilantro (chopped )
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 Buns (I used ciabatta and it was fabulous!)
For the Yogurt Spread:
- ⅔ cup 2% Greek Yogurt (I use Fage because I love the taste)
- ⅓ cup mascarpone cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon lemon zest (only the dark yellow, please!)
- ½ lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves (minced)
Instructions
For the Burgers:
- Heat up your grill pan over medium-high heat. Cover the bottom on a cast iron skillet with 2 sheets of aluminum foil.
- While the grill pan heats up, mix together chicken, chili paste, cilantro, salt, pepper, and garlic in a medium bowl. Wet your hands and form into 4 equal patties.
- When the grill is hot, brush with olive oil and place patties on the grill pan. Place skillet on top of patties, foil side down, trying to distribute the weight evenly.
- Set your timer for 5 minutes. Flip burgers, take off one layer of the foil on the skillet, place skillet back on the patties. Cook an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°.
- Remove patties to a plate, cover with foil to rest 5-10 minutes.
For the Yogurt Spread:
- In the small cup of a Nutribullet add all ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust any ingredients as desired.
- You can also make this in a bowl or with an immersion blender, but if you make it in a bowl, mince your mint leaves as fine as you can first!
For the Carrot & Cucumber Salad:
- Shave the carrot and cucumber with a mandoline or vegetable peeler. Toss in enough rice wine vinegar to coat; sprinkle with salt and sugar to taste. Let marinate in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. This can be made the day before if you wish.
You May Also Love these Healthy Meals!
Healthy Kale and Cabbage Slaw Salad
Grilled Onion Roasted Potato Strawberry Spinach Salad
Warm Lemon Rosemary Roasted Vegetable Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad
turtle66 says
Love everything about your Fiery Cilantro Chicken Burger Recipe! Can't wait to make them.
Lindsey says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy them!!! They are one of our favorites!
Bill says
I love the idea of some spice with cooling mint yogurt. These burgers look absolutely amazing, Lindsey! Beautiful photos too!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Bill!
marcie says
These burgers look amazing, Lindsey! I love the sound of the red chile paste and that creamy, awesome yogurt sauce! Pinning. 🙂
Lindsey says
Thanks for the pin Marcie!
CIndy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Yum, these burgers look so delicious! With all these ingredients these have got to be so flavorful. Pinning
Lindsey says
Thanks, Cindy! And thanks for the pin!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Your pictures are showing some deluxe flavor in mouth watering photos! YUM!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Pamela!
Vicky says
Simply cannot wait to make this recipe and just shared it on my blog in my Friday Foodie Faves post where I link up 10 of my favorite recipes finds from around the web.
Lindsey says
I hope you do make it! I'll go check out the rest of your list now! Thank you for including me 🙂
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
Now these burgers might be my daughters new favorite as they love chicken recipes. These burgers look wonderful, I am sure it was a true delight.
Lindsey says
I hope you make it for her! It is a delicious chicken recipe!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
These burgers look SO delicious. Cannot remember the last time that i made burgers for my household.. definitely know what i am making for dinner tonight. Thanks for the great idea and recipe!
Lindsey says
Haha you're welcome! I hope you enjoy!
CakePants says
These burgers look so mouth-wateringly delicious!! I've been looking for healthier recipes that will keep my boyfriend happy and full as well - this looks like it should do the trick! I'm especially intrigued by the mascarpone in the lemon mint sauce...sounds tasty 🙂
Lindsey says
This is definitely boyfriend friendly! Some sweet potato fries would not be remiss! 😉
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
They look so, so stunning! Yum!
Lindsey says
Thanks!
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
Lindsey, your burger is one of the MOST creative burger we saw for a long time! Love the spicy patty with the cool mint yogurt sauce. Just brilliant 🙂
J+C
Lindsey says
Thanks J & C! You guys are so sweet!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
The burgers look amazing!! Love the yogurt and mascarpone spread. I can only imagine how amazing it tastes.. love it!! 🙂
Lindsey says
Thanks Arpita! They were fabulous together!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Mascarpone cheese is the most wonderful thing ever! These burgers look delish Lindsey and the pictures are incredible!
Lindsey says
THanks, Christin!
Karen @ Lushious Eats says
Oohh I'm in some burger heaven right about now, this burger looks unreal! What a great recipe!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Karen!
David @ Spiced says
Woah...those burgers look like straight perfection, Lindsey! I love that yogurt sauce on there...so creative! Definitely pinning this one for a cold winter day when I can't use the grill but still want a delicious burger.
Lindsey says
These are perfect for that kind of day! Or in the summer when it's too hot to go outside 😉
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Ultimate burger RIGHT here. These are stunning, Lindsey! I love that the burger itself is spicy and that mint yogurt sauce sounds like the perfecto way to cool things down!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Sarah! It's not really that spicy but I just love the flavor combinations! It would be easy to make it spicy though.
Miss Kim @ behgopa says
I cracked up at your mention of Sriracha lol. The other day, I was actually mentally brainstorming a post of Sriracha and how it became one of my necessities. It's nice to see a good balance of healthy eats and indulging goodies, on your blog.
Awww you are scared of the grill? Why? You have already endured a bunch of cuts and burns to be scared of a little grill. I think the one kitchen equipment that still makes me nervous is the meat slicer, no matter how many times I have used it.
Lindsey says
Yes, that was for you! You should do a post on that. I have a bottle just sitting up in the cupboard and I never know when to use it. I have a fear of ruining perfectly yummy sauces, dishes and dressings with it. My blog has kind of evolved into sweets with some healthy stuff that I eat every day thrown in. I don't know if that's ok and people will like that or if I should pick a niche! As the holidays ramp up I'm excited to make some more savory dishes...LOVE holiday cooking! Love it. Oh the grill - I have a fear of overcooking things on the grill. I've got my stove and oven down but the grill seems unpredictable and kinda scary. Plus everyone down at the grills in my building look like they know what they are doing and it's intimidating.
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
Wow! These burgers look fantastic! My husband would love the so much. Especially with a kick of chilli and beautiful sounding yogurt sauce!
Lindsey says
I hope you try them Jessica! They couldn't be easier 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
These look awesome Lindsey! Of course, I was caught by the 'Fiery' title 🙂 but I know that you already knew that - I can see why your husband loves them - it looks absolutely amazing!
Lindsey says
And you {and Miss Kim} are the reason that I had to have a disclaimer saying that it's not really spicy. 😉
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I love a good chicken burger, and these look super yummy especially with that yogurt sauce to balance out the spice!
Lindsey says
Or the lack of spice! lol! They really aren't that spicy but the flavors are awesome!
Josephine says
I am SO making this!! Thank you;. I am back at Weight Watchers, so I have to pick recipes more carefully.
Lindsey says
Full disclosure: I thought of you when I made these the first time. I thought, "Josephine is going to LOVE these!" Probably because they are made by our favorite, fast cooking method! You could use all greek yogurt instead of the mascarpone to make it even healthier, but if you do that, try cutting back on the lemon juice and zest just to make sure its not too tart!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love these burgers, Lindsey! Totally making me want these for dinner tonight. And that mint yogurt sauce sounds like the perfect touch! Love this!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Gayle! You should make them for dinner tonight! They are super easy 🙂