Cheddar Ranch Chicken Burgers are tender, juicy, and loaded with bold flavors from both ranch mix and sharp cheddar cheese mixed right into the patties. This is an easy 30 minute dinner recipe that you’ll love making time and time again. These patties also reheat perfectly and are great for making ahead of time!
Next time you’re craving a burger but not the beef, make yourself some Turkey Burgers or Grilled Salmon Burgers.
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Wanna know a secret? Ground chicken burgers are much more flavorful and juicy than beef burgers! Plain beef burger patties can be dry and typically need an addition of veggies and sauces for added moisture. Chicken burger patties, on the other hand, are very juicy all by themselves.
These are certainly not your ordinary burgers, and I think that’s a good thing. There’s so much flavor in these burger patties from the ranch seasoning and cheddar cheese! Ranch goes so well with both cheddar and chicken, and when I add some crispy bacon and Homemade Ranch Dressing, the burgers are just out of this world!
While these cheddar ranch chicken burgers make a seriously satisfying weeknight dinner with the family, they also double as a great backyard barbecue recipe! And if you don’t have a grill, no worries – you can easily make these chicken burgers on your stove top as well. More info on that below!
PRO TIP: Make the Ranch Dressing a little thicker so it’s easier to spread on the bun. So try adding a little less buttermilk.
Ingredient Notes
Ground Chicken – Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently when handling raw ground chicken!
Bread Crumbs – I like to use plain bread crumbs that have no additional flavors.
Ranch Seasoning Mix – This is a key ingredient that really sends these patties over the top! If you have any left over, use it by making my favorite Instant Pot Buffalo Ranch Shredded Chicken and thank me later.
Garlic – Make sure to use fresh garlic only. Paste or pre-minced garlic doesn’t give quite the right flavor.
Onion – Finely diced onions add both moisture and flavor to the chicken burgers.
Cheddar Cheese – For the best consistency and flavor, I highly recommend freshly grating/shredding cheddar cheese right off the block.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Cheddar Ranch Chicken Burgers
Prepare the ingredients. Mince the onion as small as you can and then smash and mince the garlic. Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl (1).
Mix to combine. Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until everything is incorporated throughout (2).
Form the patties. Cover a baking sheet or a large cutting board with parchment paper and shape the burger patties (3). You want to shape all of the patties before starting to cook so that the burgers cook at the same time.
Cook the burgers on your stove top. Preheat a large pan over medium heat and add oil. Cook burgers for 6-8 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the burgers.
How to Grill Chicken Burgers
Spray them. Make sure to spray the burger patties with oil on both sides before adding them to the grilling basket.
Prepare the grill. Set the coals the far away from the grill grate so the burgers don’t cook too fast on the outside.
Grill the patties. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the patties.
PRO TIP: Raw chicken burger patties are quite soft, so I recommend using a vegetable grilling basket with a finer grate to cook the burgers on the grill.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Make sure to get ground chicken that’s gluten-free. Some brands add vinegar to their ground chicken so make sure the packaging states that the meat is gluten free. There are vinegars that are not gluten free. You can ask your butcher if they are able to grind chicken to order or get a brand that does not have added ingredients.
When mixing the burgers, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Depending on the brand of breadcrumbs, you may need to add a couple extra tablespoons. Judge if you need to add more or not after the ground chicken mixture is mixed.
Make sure the ranch seasoning mix you’re using is also gluten free.
An egg will act as a binder for all of the other ingredients. Think of it as the glue that holds the patties together! Other good binders include bead crumbs, milk soaked bread, mayonnaise, and mustard.
The choice is yours! Some of my favorite toppings for these burgers include ranch dressing and crispy bacon. You could always add a slice of cheddar cheese if you’re craving even more cheesy goodness, of course! Feel free to get creative.
How to Freeze Chicken Burgers
To freeze raw chicken burgers, mix the ingredients together and shape the burger patties. Place the patties on a rimmed baking sheet covered in parchment paper and place in the freezer for about 2 hours.
Once frozen, stack patties in twos with sheets of parchment paper in between and place them inside a freezer bag. You can freeze all burgers at the same time or portion them into several smaller freezer bags. Get the air out of the bags, seal, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw the burgers, place the frozen patties on a plate, cover it, and slow-thaw it in the refrigerator. Or, you can pull the portioned bag out of the freezer and lay it in a place in the refrigerator.
More of the Best Burger Recipes
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Cheddar Ranch Chicken Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Burger Patties
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- 3 garlic cloves smashed and minced
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
To Make Chicken Burger Patties:
- Combine all ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until evenly incorporated throughout.
- Cover a baking sheet or a large cutting board with parchment paper and shape the burger patties. You want to shape all the patties before starting to cook so that the burgers cook at the same time.
- Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat and add oil. Cook burgers for 6-8 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the burgers.
To Make Burgers:
- To make the burgers, you will need buns, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing. You can also add any other veggies you would like.
Video
Notes
- Gluten Free Notes: Make sure to get ground chicken that’s gluten-free. Some brands add vinegar to their ground chicken so make sure the packaging states that the meat is gluten free. There are vinegars that are not gluten free. You can ask your butcher if they are able to grind chicken to order or get a brand that does not have added ingredients.
When mixing the burgers, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Depending on the brand of breadcrumbs, you may need to add a couple extra tablespoons. Judge if you need to add more or not after the ground chicken mixture is mixed.
Make sure the ranch seasoning mix you’re using is also gluten free. - Storing: store cooked chicken burgers in an air-tight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Properly stored, they will last 3-4 days.
Suzie says
A George Foreman grill or similar counter top grill works very well for this recipe too. Very tasty!
LyubaB says
Good to know! I am glad you liked it! 🙂
Elizabeth says
Hi! Excited to try these tonight. Can you tell me what you cooked them in on the video? It looks like a small electric cooker. I am looking to buy one so I would love recommendations!
Kaytlin says
This was a hit for my whole family. My parents, my husband, and my kiddos loved them. My dad was disappointed there weren’t leftovers the next day.
Monica says
Could you make these into a loaf instead?
Lindsay says
I made this tonight and it was delicious! My fiancé and our 11 month old absolutely loved it. I already can’t wait to make it again! Thank you!!
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked them, Lindsay!
Sarah says
Can these be made keto?
LyubaB says
You can leave out the bread crumbs, they just might not stay together as well as with bread crumbs.
Katie A says
Hi! Do you think I could freeze these AFTER I cooked them? I loved them tonight but made too many for me to eat in a week. Next time I’ll be prepared to freeze the extras before I cook! Thanks!
LyubaB says
Hi Kate,
Yes you can freeze after by putting them on a baking sheet and placing them in the freezer for 4 hours then take them out and storing them in a freezer bag or use parchment paper between the patties and place them in a freezer bag.
Sandra says
Great big smile. I had to halve the recipe, but still makes 5-6 on small/ regular sized buns. Really tasty. Used avocado guacamole on the bun. big YUM. Thank you for sharing!
LyubaB says
Hi Sandra,
Your are so welcome! I am so glad you liked it!
Linda G. says
Can I use Kirkland canned chicken instead of ground chicken?
LyubaB says
No, it won’t stay together like ground chicken does.
Lisa says
Is this nutrition for 1 burger with or without bun?
LyubaB says
Hi Lisa,
Yes, the calories are without the bun.
Jennifer says
Looks scrumptious! What could I serve this with?
LyubaB says
Hi Jennifer,
I like a couple of slices of avocado with my burger but for a side dish, I do a lot of different things! I like either mac and cheese, potato salad, macaroni salad, a vegetable… it really depends on my mood! You should look at my side dishes and pick what looks good to you! Here is the link to them https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/category/side-dishes/
Samantha says
These look so good! Do you think I could use Old Fashion Oats vs the bread crumbs?
Patty says
I would mix the egg with the oats First, so they get soft, then add the rest of the ingredients. Fingers crossed!
LyubaB says
I hope you liked it!