Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Burgers

Light, healthy and delicious these broccoli cheddar chicken burgers are perfect any night of the week. Enjoy this juicy burger recipe during your next gathering or cookout. Option to cook these burgers in a nonstick skillet over the stovetop or place them on the grill. Either way, they’re delicious. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak extra veggies into your family’s diet! If you love these burgers, give my homemade broccoli cheddar chicken nuggets a try!

To keep things light, enjoy your broccoli cheddar chicken burgers wrapped in lettuce, topped with cheese and tomato. However, you can enjoy them anyway you like. My husband, Dan, enjoyed his on a toasted bun with American cheese and mayonnaise. It was delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s

Can I grill my burgers? Yes, but if you decide to grill your chicken burger patties, you need to let them set up in the refrigerator first. Cover and refrigerate the burger patties for about 30-40 minutes before grilling. This will allow them to bind or set more, making them more sturdy for grilling.

Any grilling tips? Yes, Preheat the grill to 400-450 degrees. Carefully brush the grill grates with avocado oil before adding the burgers. Be careful because the grill will flare up. This will help prevent the burgers from sticking to the grates.

How long do I cook these burgers for? If cooking on the stovetop in a nonstick skillet, the burgers will need 6-7 minutes per side. Make sure the heat isn’t too high or they could burn. If grilling the burgers, they will need 6-7 minutes per side. An instant read thermometer is a good tool to have handy! In either case, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees to ensure doneness.

Frequently Asked Questions Continued

What type of cheese should I add? There is cheese inside of the burgers so they don’t really need cheese! However, if you want to add a slice on top, I’d suggest using American cheese.

Can I press my chicken burgers on the grill? It’s important to mention, that you should only flip the chicken burgers once and do not press them down. Pressing them down releases all of the moisture and makes the burgers dry. Following these tips will help ensure that you have a juicy, flavorful burger.

How do you know when they are done? The internal temperature should hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure they are fully cooked through. This typically takes about 6-7 minutes per side but will also depend on the thickness of your chicken burgers. Thicker burger will need more time.

Can I boil the broccoli? Yes, you can boil the broccoli until soft, but make sure it is well dried before chopping it. You do not want to add soggy or wet chopped broccoli to the mixture.

My ground chicken is still slightly frozen, is that ok? NO! Even slightly frozen ground chicken holds a lot of moisture which will ruin the burgers.

Important Tips for Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Burgers

You’ll need cooked and finely chopped broccoli for this recipe. Make sure you only use the florets, no stems. 

Cook according to the package. If you boil the broccoli, make sure it’s well drained before chopping it. Pat it dry with a paper towel to absorb all excess moisture. You do not want to add wet broccoli to your mixture. Chop it very small!

I highly recommend using mild shredded cheddar cheese in this recipe too. The mild shredded cheddar is easy to mix into the patties and melts really well. I used Kraft mild cheddar shredded cheese and it was delicious. This juicy burger recipe is a must-try.

How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Burgers

Prepare the Broccoli

Cook your broccoli florets according to the package. If you decide to boil the florets, be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel before finely chopping. It is important to remove any excess moisture from the broccoli to prevent the burgers from being soggy.

Combine the Burger Mixture

Add the ground chicken, finely chopped (and dried) broccoli florets, finely shredded mild cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil and grated parmesan cheese. Mix well and form the patties. Makes four burgers. Cover and refrigerate for 30-40 minutes.

Stovetop Method

If cooking over the stovetop, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the burgers. Do not overcrowd the pan. Saute for 6-7 minutes per side or until the juice run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure doneness. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Grilling Method

Preheat the gas grill to 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully brush the grill grates with avocado oil. Be careful because the oil with flare up if it hits the flame. Option to dampen a clean kitchen towel with avocado oil, pinch the dampened towel with metal tongs, then rub the oil soaked towel over the grates. This method works too.

Add the burger patties to the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side or until the juices run clear. Use an instant read thermometer to ensure the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure doneness. If you decide to add cheese, place the sliced cheese over the burgers two minutes before you remove them from the grill. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Optional Topping Ideas and Sides

Add whatever toppings you enjoy most. Sliced tomatoes, butter lettuce, sliced raw or sautéed onions all work great. My husband enjoy his burger with ketchup and mayonnaise and it was so good.

Serve these burgers with Crispy Tater Tots, Warm, Crispy Honey Mustard Potato Salad, my Easy Potato Salad or my Sauteed Spring Vegetable Salad.