Chicken Caesar Smash Burgers
Chicken Caesar Smash Burgers
Ingredients
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste, from a tube
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 garlic, clove, minced
For the Chicken Patties
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, lean
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 8 slices white American cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted, for cooking
For the Burger Buns
- 4 burger buns
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
For the Caesar Salad Topping
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup croutons, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Serving
- 1 pound French fries, cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Caesar Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, lemon juice, anchovy paste, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and minced garlic. Whisk until smooth and well-incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the Chicken Patties: Divide the ground chicken into 8 equal portions (approximately 3 ounces each). Form each portion into a loose ball. On a clean surface, flatten each chicken ball into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Season one side of each patty generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Toast the Burger Buns: Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Brush the cut sides of the burger buns with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Place the buttered buns cut-side down on the griddle and toast until golden brown and slightly crispy, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the griddle and set aside.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Cook the Chicken Patties: Increase the griddle heat to medium-high. Brush the griddle surface with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Place 4 seasoned chicken patties onto the hot griddle, seasoned-side down. Immediately season the uncooked side of the patties with additional salt, black pepper, and paprika. Using a sturdy spatula, firmly smash each patty down to create thin, crispy-edged patties. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned and crispy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Flip and Melt Cheese: Flip the chicken patties. Immediately place two slices of white American cheese on top of each patty. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the cooked patties from the griddle and set aside. Repeat with the remaining 4 chicken patties.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Prepare the Caesar Salad Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded romaine lettuce, a generous dollop (about 1/4 cup) of the prepared Caesar dressing, crushed croutons, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss with tongs until the lettuce is evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Assemble the Burgers: Spread a layer of the homemade Caesar dressing on the toasted bottom half of each burger bun. Stack two cooked chicken patties (each with melted cheese) on top of the dressing. Pile a generous amount of the prepared Caesar salad topping on top of the chicken patties. Spread Caesar dressing on the toasted top half of each burger bun and place it on top of the salad to complete the burger.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Serve: Serve the Chicken Caesar Smash Burgers warm, accompanied by a side of French fries and an additional small bowl of Caesar dressing for dipping.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Chicken Caesar Smash Burgers
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste, from a tube
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 garlic, clove, minced
For the Chicken Patties
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, lean
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 8 slices white American cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted, for cooking
For the Burger Buns
- 4 burger buns
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
For the Caesar Salad Topping
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup croutons, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Serving
- 1 pound French fries, cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Caesar Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, lemon juice, anchovy paste, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and minced garlic. Whisk until smooth and well-incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the Chicken Patties: Divide the ground chicken into 8 equal portions (approximately 3 ounces each). Form each portion into a loose ball. On a clean surface, flatten each chicken ball into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Season one side of each patty generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Toast the Burger Buns: Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Brush the cut sides of the burger buns with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Place the buttered buns cut-side down on the griddle and toast until golden brown and slightly crispy, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the griddle and set aside.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Cook the Chicken Patties: Increase the griddle heat to medium-high. Brush the griddle surface with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Place 4 seasoned chicken patties onto the hot griddle, seasoned-side down. Immediately season the uncooked side of the patties with additional salt, black pepper, and paprika. Using a sturdy spatula, firmly smash each patty down to create thin, crispy-edged patties. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned and crispy.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Flip and Melt Cheese: Flip the chicken patties. Immediately place two slices of white American cheese on top of each patty. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the cooked patties from the griddle and set aside. Repeat with the remaining 4 chicken patties.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Prepare the Caesar Salad Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded romaine lettuce, a generous dollop (about 1/4 cup) of the prepared Caesar dressing, crushed croutons, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss with tongs until the lettuce is evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Assemble the Burgers: Spread a layer of the homemade Caesar dressing on the toasted bottom half of each burger bun. Stack two cooked chicken patties (each with melted cheese) on top of the dressing. Pile a generous amount of the prepared Caesar salad topping on top of the chicken patties. Spread Caesar dressing on the toasted top half of each burger bun and place it on top of the salad to complete the burger.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Serve: Serve the Chicken Caesar Smash Burgers warm, accompanied by a side of French fries and an additional small bowl of Caesar dressing for dipping.
⏱️ 2 min