Nashville Hot Chicken Burger Recipe – Juicy ground chicken patties seasoned to perfection with authentic hot chicken spices, cooked to golden perfection in a skillet, and brushed with fiery Nashville hot wing sauce. Served on toasted buns with crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and creamy coleslaw, these burgers are a flavor-packed sensation that’s sure to become a family favorite.

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Easy Ground Chicken Burgers

Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers are a fiery twist on a classic favorite that ignites the taste buds with their bold and spicy flavors. Ground chicken patties seasoned to perfection with hot chicken seasoning, delivering a burst of savory heat with every bite. But the real star of the show? The Nashville hot wing sauce brushed generously over the patties, infusing them with a fiery kick and a touch of sweetness. Serve the burgers on a toasted bun with crisp lettuce and tangy pickles alongside creamy coleslaw and crispy fries. These burgers are a mouthwatering sensation that’s sure to spice up any meal.

How to Make Hot Chicken Burgers

These burgers are very easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a medium bowl, gently combine ground chicken and hot chicken seasoning. Gently form the chicken mixture into burger patties. Press a divot into the center of each patty with your thumb. This helps prevent them from puffing up as they cook.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Cook burgers for a few minutes on each side. Brush each side of the burgers with Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce before removing them from the skillet. Place the cooked chicken burgers on split brioche buns and top with pickles and ranch dressing.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike beef burgers, chicken burgers must be cooked well-done to be safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature is 165ºF.
To make your own ground chicken, place one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into large chunks, into a food processor, and pulse until chicken is finely chopped.
Can substitute ground turkey.
Variations/Additions:
- bacon
- shredded cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- dried parsley
- extra cayenne pepper
- a tablespoon of honey
I use McCormick Grill Mates Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning: https://amzn.to/3TAG4pD
- You can make your own Nashville Hot Seasoning:
  - 2 Tbsp ground cayenne pepper
  - 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
  - 1 ½ tsp brown sugar
  - 1 teaspoons chili powder
  - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  - ½ teaspoon salt
  - ¼ tsp black pepper
I brush the burgers with Sweet Baby Ray’s Nashville Hot Wing Sauce: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sweet-Baby-Ray-s-Nashville-Hot-Wing-Sauce-16-fl-oz/2618702707?athbdg=L1100&from=/search
I use a kitchen scale and a burger press with burger papers to make the patties. I buy everything on Amazon. Here are the products that we use:
You can cook the burgers on the grill, in a skillet, or in a grill pan on the stovetop.
Top the burgers with cheese slices if desired.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/
Can I freeze Chicken Burgers? Yes! Place the uncooked patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least an hour. Transfer the burgers to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to four months.
- To defrost, place the freezer bag in the refrigerator overnight and cook as directed.
Store leftover burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave.

What to Serve with Hot Chicken Burgers

When serving up Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers, it’s all about balancing the fiery heat with cool and refreshing accompaniments.

Start by offering a refreshing side salad tossed with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy ranch dressing, providing a refreshing contrast to the spicy heat of the burgers.
Additionally, consider serving up classic Southern sides like coleslaw or potato salad, offering a creamy and comforting counterpart to the bold flavors of the chicken.
For a bit of sweetness to balance out the heat, corn on the cob or baked beans make excellent choices.
And don’t forget about the condiments! Offer a variety of options such as extra hot sauce, pickles, lettuce, red onion, mayo, dijon mustard, and ketchup to allow guests to customize their burgers to their liking.

With these delicious additions, these chicken burgers become the centerpiece of a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s sure to impress. Looking for more side dishes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Side Dish