In this article, we’ll explore the delicious world of chicken ranch burgers. They offer a savory twist on the classic burger. We’ll look at how juicy chicken and creamy ranch come together to create a culinary delight.
Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ or want to impress friends, these burgers are perfect. They’re sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Key Takeaways
- Chicken ranch burgers offer a flavorful twist on the classic burger
- The combination of juicy chicken and creamy ranch creates a delectable taste
- These burgers are perfect for backyard BBQs or impressing guests
- Chicken ranch burgers are a versatile and satisfying meal option
- This recipe can elevate your burger experience with unique flavors
Choosing the Right Chicken
When creating a chicken ranch burger, it’s crucial to choose the right chicken cut. Different cuts, such as chicken breasts, thighs, or ground chicken, have distinct characteristics that can influence the flavor and texture of the burger. Breasts are lean and mild, providing a firm and juicy texture when cooked correctly. However, they can dry out quickly if overcooked. To avoid this, marinate them or use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking. Thighs are richer in flavor and more succulent, making them ideal for juicy burgers. They retain moisture even if slightly overcooked and can elevate the burger’s mouthfeel. Ground chicken offers versatility and ease of preparation, allowing for the incorporation of various seasonings and ingredients. However, it’s essential to choose high-quality ground chicken to avoid excessive moisture and achieve a perfect blend of flavor and moisture. Regardless of the cut, choose fresh chicken with a pinkish hue and minimal odor, and store it at the correct temperature and time frame to maintain its freshness.
The Best Chicken Ranch Burgers
Ranch dressing is a favorite in my house and can be used as a salad dressing, dip, or sauce on almost anything. This recipe for chicken ranch burgers is a delicious combination of ground chicken seasoned with ranch dressing mix, Worcestershire sauce, and shredded cheddar. The burgers are a hit at BBQs and are also perfect for weeknights as a quick and easy dinner. The recipe is simple but amazing, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. To make it even more delicious, add a few sides like creamy cucumber salad and Mexican street corn salad.
These chicken ranch burgers are like heaven between a bun! It’s a ground chicken burger base seasoned with ranch dressing mix and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Then toss in a bit of shredded cheddar and you’ve got yourself a winning combination. These burgers are so darn tasty!
why we love Chicken Ranch Burgers
Delightfully Compulsive. These chicken patties are brimming with all the flavorful herbs and spices that make ranch dressing so delicious. Then, the flavors are perfectly combined by grilling to create the most delicious ranch burgers ever.
Easy and quick. This is an easy 20-minute dinner that works well for weeknights when you’re pressed for time or for BBQs when you’d rather enjoy your visitors than spend the entire time cooking!
Prep Ahead: Friendly. It’s really easy to prepare these chicken patties the night before and grill them the following day. An alternative would be to prepare the patties and freeze them for up to three months!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken Burger Patties
Ground chicken: This is what I have on hand. Another option for this dish is ground turkey.
Ranch seasoning mix is the key to making delicious burgers! In your grocery store, ranch seasoning mix is often found in the salad dressing section and comes in packet form.
Egg: The egg serves as a binding agent for the burgers.
Breadcrumbs: panko or regular breadcrumbs will both function.
Worcestershire Sauce: This adds a hint of umami flavor to the chicken ranch burgers, which goes well with the ranch seasoning and ground chicken.
Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese has a melt-in-your-mouth texture, a delicious taste, and a hint of salt.
Burger Buns: You may use any kind of hamburger bun you choose, but I really enjoy using freshly baked buns.
Olive oil: A small amount goes a long way toward preventing the chicken patties from sticking to the grill.
Extra Toppings
Vegetables: pickles, sliced red onion, sliced tomatoes, and lettuce leaves.
Ranch Dressing: You may add some creamy ranch dressing on the top of your burger to truly make it a ranch burger.
Bacon: Who doesn’t enjoy bacon on a hamburger? It simply improves everything.
Sliced Cheddar Cheese: A little additional cheese will enhance the flavor of the cheddar.
Chicken Burger Patties
Preheat your grill To get your grill nice and hot, oil the grates and turn the heat up to medium-high.
Prepare the patties. Ground chicken, ranch seasoning mix, egg, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and shredded cheddar cheese should all be thoroughly mixed together in a big basin. Next, divide the ingredients into four equal parts and form each into ½-inch-thick patties.
Oil the patties. After putting the patties on the hot grill, cook them for five minutes, being careful not to push down on them. After five minutes, turn the burgers over and continue to cook.
Grill the chicken burgers. After putting the patties on the hot grill, cook them for five minutes, being careful not to push down on them. After five minutes, turn the burgers over and continue to cook.
Grill the hamburger buns. The buns should be warmed for about 30 seconds on the grill, cut side down, about 2 minutes before the patties are done frying.
Check the internal temperature Before assembling the burgers, make sure the patties are cooked through. The temperature of the chicken patties, which should be at least 165°F when placed within the burger, may be checked using an instant-read digital meat thermometer. Give your burgers one more minute to cook, then check the temperature again if it hasn’t reached 165°F.
Assemble The Burgers
Put the chicken ranch burgers together. Top with a piece of cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, red onion, pickles, bacon, and a few tablespoons of ranch dressing. Place a few lettuce leaves on the bottom of the bread.
Ranch Dressing
Many people adore the creamy, delightful flavor of ranch salad dressing, which is an iconic choice. Nobody, in my opinion, has never used or is unaware of Ranch. Since 1992, it has been the most popular salad dressing sold in the US. However, what gives a ranch its taste that sells the best? Fundamentally, it’s a sauce made of buttermilk and mayonnaise, seasoned with herbs like dill, parsley, and chives, as well as salt, pepper, garlic, and onion.
Can I replace chicken with turkey?
Indeed! Ground turkey may be substituted for ground chicken without any issues. For the finest texture and flavor when paired with the ranch sauce and shredded cheddar cheese, I do advise using leaner ground turkey.
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover cooked chicken ranch burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Alternatively, you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Making Ahead
To prepare in advance, you can make the burger patties and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days before grilling. You can also freeze the patties for up to 3 months. When freezing, place wax paper or parchment paper between each patty to prevent them from sticking together. Thaw the burgers in the fridge the night before you plan to grill them.
Chicken Ranch Burgers
Ingredients
Chicken Burger Patties
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 hamburger buns split
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Toppings
- lettuce leaves
- tomatoes sliced
- pickles sliced
- ranch dressing
- cheddar cheese slices
- bacon
- red onion
Instructions
- Preheat your grill. Oil the grates of your grill and then heat to medium-high to get it nice and hot.
- Make the patties. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ranch seasoning mix, egg, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and shredded cheddar cheese until well incorporated. Then divide the mixture into 4 and shape into patties that are about ½-inch thick.
- Oil the patties. Brush each chicken patty with olive oil. This will help to keep the burgers from sticking to the grates of the grill.
- Grill the chicken burgers. Place the patties on the hot grill and cook for 5 minutes making sure not to press down on the burgers as they cook. Then flip the burgers over and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Grill the hamburger buns. About 2 minutes before the patties are done cooking, place the buns on the grill sliced side down to warm them for about 30 seconds.
- Could you check the internal temperature? You want to ensure the patties are fully cooked before assembling the burgers. To do this, you can use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken patties, which needs to be at least 165℉ when inserted into the burger. If your burgers haven’t yet reached 165℉ allow them to cook for another minute and check the temperature again.
- Assemble the chicken ranch burgers. Add a few lettuce leaves to the bottom of the bun, then top with the chicken burger and a slice of cheddar followed by some bacon, a couple of tablespoons of ranch dressing, sliced tomato, red onion, and pickles.
Notes
- Don’t press down. When grilling the chicken burgers never press down on them. If you do, you just might push them through the grates. So instead, just wait until the cooking time is up and flip.
- Temp the patties. To ensure the chicken burgers are fully cooked, it’s important to use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to make sure that the burgers have reached 165℉.
- Oil the patties. It may seem like you’re just brushing fat onto the patties for no reason, but I promise it’s a lifesaver when it comes to keeping the chicken patties from sticking to the grill. So do yourself a favor and don’t skip this step.
- Extra ranch dressing. For the ultimate chicken ranch burgers top them with the additional ranch dressing at the end.
