BBQ Hawaiian Chicken Burgers
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Sweet, Smoky, Saucy Burger Night
These burgers are sweet, tangy, and really easy to throw together. The BBQ sauce goes into the patties and over the top, so they stay flavorful without needing much else.
The bacon and grilled pineapple make them feel a little more fun than a regular chicken burger, but they’re still simple enough for a weeknight. Serve them with chips, fries, or slaw and call it done.
What Makes These Hawaiian Chicken Burgers Different
- Ground chicken instead of beef
- BBQ flavor built right into the patties
- Grilled pineapple adds sweetness and texture
- Soft buns that soak up all the sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Burgers
- For the chicken burgers:
- ground chicken
- BBQ seasoning
- kosher salt
- For assembling:
- burger buns
- lettuce
- sliced cheese
- cooked bacon
- grilled pineapple slices
- barbecue sauce
How To Make Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Burgers
1. Mix the chicken patties
Add the ground chicken, BBQ seasoning, and kosher salt to a large mixing bowl. Gently mix everything together until combined. The mixture will be very sticky, and that is completely normal for ground chicken.
2. Form the patties
Lightly oil your hands if needed, then shape the chicken mixture into 3-4 burger patties depending on the size you want.
3. Cook the burgers
Heat a skillet over medium heat or preheat a grill. Cook the patties for 5-6 minutes on the first side without pressing them down. Flip carefully and cook another 5-6 minutes, or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
4. Grill the pineapple
While the burgers cook, grill or sear the pineapple slices until lightly caramelized and golden around the edges.
5. Melt the cheese
Add the cheese during the last minute of cooking so it melts over the burgers.
6. Assemble the burgers
Toast the buns if desired, then layer with lettuce, chicken burgers, bacon, grilled pineapple, and plenty of barbecue sauce.
How To Keep Chicken Burgers Juicy
- Don’t overmix the ground chicken
- The mixture will be sticky, and that is normal
- Cook over medium heat, not high heat
- Don’t press down on the burgers while cooking
- Use a thermometer and cook to 165°F
- Add cheese during the last minute for the best texture
Storage
- Store leftover patties in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Keep toppings separate
- Reheat in a skillet or oven
Hawaiian Chicken BBQ Burgers
Equipment
- large skillet with cover
Video
Ingredients
Chicken Patties
- 1 lbs ground chicken
- 1 tbsp BBQ Seasoning
- ½ tsp kosher salt
For the Burgers
- 4 burger buns
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 4 slices cheese
- 4 to 8 slices cooked bacon
- 4 grilled pineapple slices
- barbecue sauce (for topping)
Instructions
- Add the ground chicken, BBQ seasoning, and kosher salt to a mixing bowl.
- Gently mix until combined. Do not overmix. The mixture will be sticky, and that is normal.
- Lightly oil your hands if needed, then form the mixture into 3-4 patties.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat or preheat your grill. If using a skillet, lightly grease it if needed.
- Add the patties and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side. Do not press down on them while they cook.
- Carefully flip the patties and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the burgers cook, grill or sear the pineapple slices until lightly golden.
- Add cheese to the burgers during the last minute of cooking so it can melt.
- Assemble the burgers on buns with lettuce, chicken patties, bacon, grilled pineapple, and barbecue sauce.
Notes
- Ground chicken is sticky, so lightly oiling your hands makes the patties easier to shape.
- Do not press down on the burgers while cooking or they can dry out.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Cooked bacon and grilled pineapple can be made ahead to make assembly easier.
- For extra flavor, use homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce.
