If you love a classic chicken Caesar salad, you HAVE to try it in burger form. My Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers have all of those Caesar flavors we love—juicy chicken, crispy Parmesan, crunchy romaine, croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing—all piled onto a toasted burger bun.
The chicken burgers themselves are super simple and packed with flavor. But my favorite part is the Parmesan crust! Instead of mixing the Parmesan into the ground chicken, I add it directly to the patties while they’re cooking. Once you flip them, the Parmesan gets golden and crispy and creates the BEST crust on the outside.
I used Eat Royo low-carb burger buns for these, which seriously keep the macros insane. Each bun has just 90 calories, 9 grams of protein, and 7 grams of net carbs. They make these feel like a full, satisfying burger while keeping everything a little lighter and adding even more protein.
If you are interested in trying Eat Royo, you can use the discount code “COOKINGKATIELADY” at checkout for a discount on your next purchase!
This is such a fun healthy dinner recipe when you’re craving a burger but want something a little different from your typical beef burger. And if you’re already a Caesar salad person like me, I have a feeling you’re going to LOVE these.
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Why You’ll Love These Healthy Chicken Caesar Burgers
These chicken Caesar burgers have quickly become one of my favorite ways to switch up burger night. They’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner but don’t taste boring or “healthy.”
- High in protein: Between the ground chicken, Parmesan, and high-protein Eat Royo buns, these burgers pack in plenty of protein.
- So much texture: You get a juicy chicken burger, crispy Parmesan crust, crunchy romaine, crushed croutons, and a soft toasted bun all in one bite.
- Easy to make: The chicken patties only require a handful of simple seasonings and cook right on the stovetop.
- A fun twist on Caesar salad: It’s basically chicken Caesar salad meets burger night.
- Easy to customize: Add extra Parmesan, more Caesar dressing, additional romaine, or leave off the croutons depending on what you like.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Burgers
Ground chicken: I use 1 pound of ground chicken and divide it into four burger patties.
Egg: One large egg helps bind the ground chicken together and keeps the patties juicy.
Seasonings: A simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley gives the chicken plenty of flavor without overpowering the Caesar toppings.
Parmesan: This is where these burgers get REALLY good. Rather than mixing the Parmesan into the patties, we add it to the outside while they cook. It creates a crispy, golden Parmesan crust once the burgers are flipped.
Avocado oil: You’ll need a little oil for cooking the burgers in the skillet.
For Serving
Eat Royo low-carb burger buns: I love using Eat Royo buns for this recipe because each bun has just 90 calories, 9 grams of protein, and 7 grams of net carbs. They help keep this burger lighter while still giving you the full burger experience.
Romaine lettuce: You can’t have chicken Caesar without crisp romaine! I like roughly chopping or shredding it so it’s easier to pile onto the burgers.
Caesar dressing: Use your favorite Caesar dressing here. I personally like Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing as a healthier option.
Croutons: Crush them up before adding them to your burger. You still get that classic Caesar salad crunch without having huge croutons falling out of your burger with every bite.
Additional Parmesan: Totally optional, but I love adding a little extra Parmesan when assembling the burgers.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Medium mixing bowl
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Parchment-lined plate or baking sheet
- Measuring spoons
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
Chicken Burger Patties
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg (large, organic)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (for topping the patties while cooking)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (for cooking)
For Serving
- 4 Eat Royo low-carb burger buns (I use the Eat Royo Low Carb Burger Buns as a great healthier, lower carb option! You can use the code “COOKINGKATIELADY“ for a discount on their site. You could also try my homemade sourdough burger buns.)
- Romaine lettuce
- Crushed croutons
- Caesar salad dressing
- Additional Parmesan (optional)
How To Make Them
- Make the chicken patties. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley. Mix until everything is just combined. Try not to overmix the chicken.
- Form the patties. Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal portions and gently form each portion into a burger patty. Place the patties onto a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet.
- Chill the patties. Place the chicken patties in the freezer for 15–20 minutes. Ground chicken can be pretty soft and sticky, so this quick chill helps the patties firm up and makes them much easier to cook and flip.
- Start cooking the burgers. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, carefully add the chicken patties. Cook for 2–3 minutes on the first side.
- Add the Parmesan. Before flipping the burgers, evenly divide the 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the uncooked tops of the four patties. Let them cook for about another minute to give the Parmesan a chance to adhere to the chicken.
- Flip and create the Parmesan crust. Carefully flip each burger so the Parmesan side is now directly against the skillet. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until the chicken burgers are completely cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. The Parmesan should form a delicious golden, crispy crust.
- Toast the buns. While the chicken finishes cooking, lightly toast or broil your Eat Royo burger buns until golden, if desired.
- Assemble the Chicken Caesar Burgers. Spread Caesar dressing onto the bottom bun, followed by a crispy Parmesan chicken patty. Top with additional Parmesan if desired, romaine lettuce, crushed croutons, and another drizzle of Caesar dressing.
- Serve. Add the top bun and serve immediately while the chicken burgers are hot and the romaine and croutons are still crunchy. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Chicken Burgers
Don’t skip chilling the patties. Ground chicken is much softer than ground beef. Freezing the patties for 15–20 minutes makes them significantly easier to handle without needing to add breadcrumbs or another filler.
Don’t overwork the chicken. Mix the chicken and seasonings just until everything comes together. Overmixing can make chicken burgers more dense.
Wait to add the Parmesan. The Parmesan isn’t meant to be mixed into the chicken mixture. Adding it directly to the outside of the patties is what gives you that delicious crispy Parmesan crust.
Use a meat thermometer. Ground chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Crush your croutons. Trust me on this one! Smaller pieces give you crunch in every bite and make the burger much easier to eat.
Don’t overdress the burger. Caesar dressing is obviously essential, but you don’t want so much that everything starts sliding out of the bun. I like adding a little to the bottom bun and another drizzle over the lettuce.
Can I Make These Chicken Caesar Burgers Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the chicken patties earlier in the day and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
Since the patties are fairly soft, I would still pop them into the freezer for about 15–20 minutes immediately before cooking. This helps them hold their shape when you transfer them to the skillet.
I recommend waiting to cook the patties and assemble the burgers until you’re ready to eat so you get that freshly crisp Parmesan crust.
Substitutions & Variations
There are plenty of ways to make these chicken Caesar salad burgers your own.
You can use ground turkey instead of ground chicken if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature before serving.
For the Caesar dressing, use whatever brand you love. I like Primal Kitchen for a healthier option, but homemade Caesar dressing would also be amazing here.
You can also leave off the croutons if you want to keep the burger lower in carbs, or use your favorite gluten-free croutons if needed.
And if you’re a big Caesar salad person, pile on the romaine! The cold, crisp lettuce against the hot Parmesan-crusted chicken patty is one of my favorite parts.
What to Serve with Chicken Caesar Burgers
These healthy chicken burgers are pretty filling on their own, especially with the Eat Royo buns, but they’re also really easy to turn into a complete dinner.
I love serving them with roasted potatoes, sweet potato fries, air fryer fries, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad.
You could even lean all the way into the Caesar theme and serve them with extra chopped romaine tossed in Caesar dressing on the side.
Check Me Out on Social Media!
I post all my recipes on social media as well and you can stay up to date on what I am up to! Also, I love seeing people try my recipes! When make these, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover cooked chicken patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
For the best texture, store the patties separately from the buns, lettuce, dressing, and croutons. This keeps everything from getting soggy.
Reheat the chicken patties in a skillet or air fryer until warmed through. Then assemble your burger with fresh romaine, dressing, and crushed croutons.
Are Chicken Caesar Burgers Healthy?
These Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers are a great option if you’re looking for a high-protein dinner that still feels fun and satisfying.
Using ground chicken instead of a traditional beef burger keeps the base simple, while the Parmesan adds tons of flavor and creates that crispy exterior without needing breading.
I also love using Eat Royo low-carb burger buns here. With only 90 calories, 9 grams of protein, and 7 grams of net carbs per bun, they add extra protein while keeping the overall macros of the burger super reasonable.
Of course, the exact nutrition will depend on the ground chicken, Caesar dressing, Parmesan, croutons, and amounts you use.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep ground chicken burgers from falling apart?
The egg helps bind the chicken mixture, but the biggest trick with this recipe is chilling the patties before cooking. Ground chicken is naturally soft and sticky, so placing the formed patties in the freezer for 15–20 minutes makes them easier to transfer and flip.
What temperature should chicken burgers be cooked to?
Chicken burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part of the patty.
Can I make chicken Caesar burgers without croutons?
Absolutely. The croutons are there to recreate that classic chicken Caesar salad flavor and crunch, but you can leave them off.
Can I use ground turkey instead?
Yes! Ground turkey is an easy substitute for ground chicken in this recipe.
Can I cook these chicken burgers on the grill?
You can, but because the ground chicken mixture is fairly soft, I personally prefer making these in a skillet. A skillet also works much better for getting that Parmesan directly against the hot surface so it becomes golden and crispy.
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Description
If you love a classic chicken Caesar salad, you HAVE to try it in burger form. My Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers have all of those Caesar flavors we love—juicy chicken, crispy Parmesan, crunchy romaine, croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing—all piled onto a toasted burger bun.
Ingredients
Chicken Burger Patties
For Serving
Instructions
-
Make the chicken patties. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley. Mix until everything is just combined. Try not to overmix the chicken.
-
Form the patties. Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal portions and gently form each portion into a burger patty. Place the patties onto a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet.
-
Chill the patties. Place the chicken patties in the freezer for 15–20 minutes. Ground chicken can be pretty soft and sticky, so this quick chill helps the patties firm up and makes them much easier to cook and flip.
-
Start cooking the burgers. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, carefully add the chicken patties. Cook for 2–3 minutes on the first side.
-
Add the Parmesan. Before flipping the burgers, evenly divide the 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the uncooked tops of the four patties. Let them cook for about another minute to give the Parmesan a chance to adhere to the chicken.
-
Flip and create the Parmesan crust. Carefully flip each burger so the Parmesan side is now directly against the skillet. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until the chicken burgers are completely cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. The Parmesan should form a delicious golden, crispy crust.
-
Toast the buns. While the chicken finishes cooking, lightly toast or broil your Eat Royo burger buns until golden, if desired.
-
Assemble the Chicken Caesar Burgers. Spread Caesar dressing onto the bottom bun, followed by a crispy Parmesan chicken patty. Top with additional Parmesan if desired, romaine lettuce, crushed croutons, and another drizzle of Caesar dressing.
-
Serve. Add the top bun and serve immediately while the chicken burgers are hot and the romaine and croutons are still crunchy. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 chicken patty
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 263kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16.5g26%
- Saturated Fat 4.5g23%
- Sodium 730.5mg31%
- Total Carbohydrate 1g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.1g1%
- Sugars 0.1g
- Protein 27.7g56%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Did you make this recipe?
The next time you make it, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!:)
Please note that my nutrition label is approximate and can have slight rounding. Macros are for the burger patty only. Adjust the macros to the burger bun you use and toppings.
