These Bacon Jalapeño Chicken Smash Burgers are incredible and full of flavor! Seasoned ground chicken pressed into thin patties with thinly sliced red onion and jalapeños and cooked until caramelized and sandwiched in-between toasted brioche buns with havarti cheese, crispy bacon and lettuce. Yields 4 servings.
Who doesn’t love a good burger?
Let me put you onto this bacon jalapeño chicken smash burger! It’s my latest obsession. For awhile I’d make them once a week for either dinner or I’d meal prep for lunches during the week. The flavor is amazing, the caramelized seared onion and jalapeño are phenomenal with the bacon and havarti. And it’s such a quick and simple recipe to pull together, making this perfect for any day of the week.
To Make These Bacon Jalapeño Chicken Smash Burgers you Will Need:
- bacon – To keep these burgers lean, I like to use center cut bacon.
- lean ground chicken – I have not tested this with extra lean ground chicken.
- garlic powder – Adds flavor that’s sweeter yet milder than fresh garlic.
- onion powder – Lends additional bold oniony flavor.
- kosher salt – Enhances the flavors of the burger patties.
- freshly ground black pepper – Adds some subtle bite and flavor.
- jalapeño – Adds delicious spicy flavor and texture.
- red onion – Lends delicious and slightly sharp onion flavor.
- havarti cheese – Or use white American cheese.
- brioche burger buns – These buns are sturdy, yet soft and make any burger extra special.
- garlic aioli – Or simply use mayonnaise.
- lettuce – Adds crisp freshness.
Place 8 slices of center cut bacon into a cool, large skillet. Heat on medium to medium-low, turning occasionally until fully cooked. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set a side.
Meanwhile, add 1 pound ground chicken to a bowl. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder, onion powder a few pinches kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper.
What Kind Of Ground Chicken Is Best For Making Burgers?
I use a lean ground chicken. I have not tested this recipe with extra-lean because I feel the fat is necessary for great texture and flavor.
Divide into 4 (4-ounce) portions.
Then gently combine each one while shaping into round balls.
Place each ball onto a piece of wax paper.
Cover with a second piece of wax paper and gently press with the flat side of a meat tenderizer, glass or measuring cup until thin but not overly thin.
Gently remove the top piece of wax paper and top the patty with a slice of red onion and a few jalapeños.
Replace the wax paper and gently but firmly press the onion and jalapeños into the patty. Repeat with the remaining burgers.
Heat a large, 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat (or wipe out the bacon grease and use the same pan) and spray with either olive oil or avocado oil nonstick spray. Once hot, working in batches, place 2 burgers onion/jalapeño-side down and cook 4 minutes.
Carefully flip and cook 3 minutes. Transfer to a clean platter and repeat with the last of the burgers.
Add all the burgers to the pan (jalapeño/onion side facing up) and top each with a slice of havarti cheese. Turn the burner off and cover with a lid.
Allow the steam melt the cheese for a minute or two.
Toast 4 brioche burger buns. Top the bottom half with mayo or garlic aioli (homemade or try Sir Kensington’s everything garlic sauce! – not sponsored), a burger patty, bacon and lettuce.
What To Serve With Chicken Burgers?
- potato chips
- regular fries
- sweet potato fries
- cut veggies
Enjoy! And if you give this Bacon Jalapeño Chicken Smash Burgers recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Bacon Jalapeno Chicken Smash Burgers
Ingredients
- 8 slices center cut bacon, or bacon of choice
- 1 pound ground chicken
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices red onion
- 1 medium jalapeño , sliced
- avocado oil, or use extra light olive oil
- 4 slices havarti cheese
- 4 brioche burger buns, toasted
- 4 tablespoons garlic aioli, or mayonnaise
Instructions
- Place the center cut bacon into a cool, large skillet. Heat on medium to medium-low, turning occasionally until fully cooked. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set a side.
- Meanwhile, add the ground chicken to a bowl. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder, onion powder a few pinches kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper.
- Divide into 4 (4-ounce) portions. Then gently combine each one while shaping into round balls.
- Place each ball onto a piece of wax paper. Cover with a second piece of wax paper and gently yet firmly press with the flat side of a meat tenderizer, glass or measuring cup until thin but not overly thin.
- Carefully remove the top piece of wax paper and top the burger patty with a slice of red onion and a few jalapeños. Replace the wax paper and gently but firmly press the onion and jalapeños into the burger. Repeat with the remaining burgers
- Heat a large, 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat (or wipe out the bacon grease and use the same pan) and spray with either olive oil or avocado oil nonstick spray. Once hot, working in batches, place 2 burgers onion/jalapeño-side down and cook 4 minutes.
- Carefully flip and cook 3 minutes or until fully cooked. Transfer to a clean platter and repeat with the last of the burgers.
- Add all the burgers to the pan (jalapeño/onion side facing up) and top each with a slice of havarti cheese. Turn the burner off and cover with a lid until cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile, toast the brioche burger buns. Top the bottom half with garlic aioli or mayo, top with a burger patty, bacon and lettuce. Replace the top bun and serve.
Notes
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THANK YOU in advance for your support!
O was looking for something to do with canned chicken, and came across this recipe.
Dayum! I did futz with it a bit, added bread soaked in milk to keep it moist, and used my version of a slight spicier yumyum sauce on it, but, it’s perfect!!! Thank you! I WILL be making this again!!
Wow! This looks incredibly delicious! I’m going to have to give it a try.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This is a 5 star recipe!!!. We’ve been so tired of traditional beef burgers and this is exactly what we needed. The only thing we did different is add tomato! Will be making this again for sure!
We just had these for weekend lunch. Delicious!!!! My 19 y/0 son came home from work and stacked two patties on bun. Only addition we made was I mashed avocado with a little salt to put on one side of the bun. Will definitely make again. Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Heather! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed this recipe!! And I’m so adding mashed avocado the next time I make these!! Thank you for your review, It’s greatly appreciated!!
These were absolutely delicious. We just made it the other night. I couldn’t find havarti cheese at my local grocery store so I swapped it out for pepper jack. I will definitely be making these again!
So glad, Dave!