Classic Chicken Smash Burger with Pickles and Special Sauce
Classic Chicken Smash Burger with Pickles and Special Sauce
Ingredients
For the Chicken Burgers
- 1 pound ground chicken, 90% lean or higher recommended
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, or other high smoke point oil
- 4 American cheese slices
- 4 burger buns, brioche or potato recommended
- 1/2 cup dill pickle slices
For the Special Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- 1
First, prepare the special sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
In a medium bowl, gently combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the burgers tough. Form the mixture into 4 equal balls, about 4 ounces each. Do not flatten them yet.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Once the oil is shimmering, place 2 chicken balls into the hot skillet, leaving space between them.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each chicken ball. Using a sturdy spatula or a burger press, firmly smash each chicken ball down into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Press down for about 10-15 seconds to ensure good contact with the pan. Remove the parchment paper.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Cook the smashed patties for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned. While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast the burger buns in a separate pan or toaster until golden brown. Spread the prepared special sauce on the toasted buns.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Flip the patties. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Remove the cooked chicken patties from the skillet and place them on the prepared burger buns. Repeat the smashing and cooking process with the remaining 2 chicken balls and 1 tablespoon of canola oil.
⏱️ 4 min
- 8
Top each chicken smash burger with a generous amount of dill pickle slices. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Chicken Smash Burger with Pickles and Special Sauce
For the Chicken Burgers
- 1 pound ground chicken, 90% lean or higher recommended
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, or other high smoke point oil
- 4 American cheese slices
- 4 burger buns, brioche or potato recommended
- 1/2 cup dill pickle slices
For the Special Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- 1
First, prepare the special sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
In a medium bowl, gently combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the burgers tough. Form the mixture into 4 equal balls, about 4 ounces each. Do not flatten them yet.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Once the oil is shimmering, place 2 chicken balls into the hot skillet, leaving space between them.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each chicken ball. Using a sturdy spatula or a burger press, firmly smash each chicken ball down into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Press down for about 10-15 seconds to ensure good contact with the pan. Remove the parchment paper.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Cook the smashed patties for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned. While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast the burger buns in a separate pan or toaster until golden brown. Spread the prepared special sauce on the toasted buns.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Flip the patties. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Remove the cooked chicken patties from the skillet and place them on the prepared burger buns. Repeat the smashing and cooking process with the remaining 2 chicken balls and 1 tablespoon of canola oil.
⏱️ 4 min - 8
Top each chicken smash burger with a generous amount of dill pickle slices. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min