Chicken Caesar salads are having a comeback — not only in salad form, but as wraps, sandwiches and even tacos. The creamy, umami-rich dressing always satisfies, and it provides a versatile flavor profile for experimentation. Take, for example, these chicken Caesar burgers. Instead of chopped cooked chicken, the protein is a tender ground chicken patty, and instead of croutons, we have a warm toasted bun. On top, a generous pile of well-dressed salad adds crunch and freshness.
Chicken Caesar burgers make for an excellent weeknight meal. The burgers come together quickly and, because the dressing is so flavorful, it does most of the heavy lifting — no need to pull out a long list of ingredients.
Bottled Caesar salad dressing touches each component of the chicken burgers
The best way to build flavor in chicken Caesar burgers is to add salad dressing in as many places as possible. Work a little bit into the burger patties, use it to dress the lettuce and spread it on the buns in lieu of mayonnaise or ketchup. Not only does it supply tangy, sweet and umami-filled notes across the dish, it also provides richness in the otherwise lean meat. Be sure to choose a creamy Caesar dressing instead of a bottle that looks like a vinaigrette; a vinaigrette-style dressing will separate and won’t provide the correct texture on the burger buns.
Lean on Parmesan cheese for even more umami in chicken Caesar burgers
Store-bought ingredients like Caesar dressing are excellent shortcuts, but sometimes they can taste a little bit flat. It’s often necessary to amplify at least one of its ingredients to make the dish taste its best. In this case, we’re boosting its umami notes with Parmesan cheese. For maximum flavor, I recommend using Parmigiano-Reggiano and finely grating it yourself, but if budget doesn’t allow, you can use a domestic Parmesan.
Adding the cheese to the burger patties also helps the tender meat to cohere into a solid patty, especially once the salad dressing is mixed into the meat.
Broiling is the best way to cook tender chicken burger patties
While it is certainly possible to sear or grill chicken burgers, I prefer to cook these under the broiler. Broiling is hands-free, so you have time to assemble the salad topping, and, because the patties are cooked on a sheet pan, the patties are given some support before they firm up.
Romaine is the classic Caesar choice, but you can swap in kale if needed
Crisp, refreshing romaine lettuce is the green of choice for Caesar salads and Caesar salad burgers alike. It provides crunch to the burger and can hold up well to a creamy dressing. Still, if you’d prefer to skip lettuce right now, you can swap in lacinato (also known as dinosaur) kale. Remove the stems and chop it into bite-sized pieces just as you would the lettuce. Either way, be sure to thoroughly wash your greens before use.
Credit: Aaliyah Man
Credit: Aaliyah Man
Chicken Caesar Burgers
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 3/4 cup creamy Caesar salad dressing, divided, plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 head romaine or 1 bunch stemmed lacinato kale, thoroughly washed and chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 burger buns, split
- Heat a broiler to high with a rack placed 6 to 8 inches from the heating element.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, 1/4 cup dressing, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well, then divide into four patties. Place the patties on a rimmed sheet pan. Use your thumb to press a 1-inch-wide dimple in the center of each patty. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Transfer to the broiler and cook until browned on the first side, 7 to 10 minutes. Flip the burgers and continue to cook on the second side until browned and the center registers at least 165 degrees, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Meanwhile, in a clean large bowl, combine the romaine with the pepper, 1/4 cup dressing, remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss well. Drizzle in additional dressing if desired, then season to taste with salt.
- When the burgers are finished, place the buns on the oven rack, cut side up, and broil until golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Divide and brush the remaining 1/4 cup dressing on the bottom halves of the buns.
- Place the burgers on the toasted buns and top generously with the salad. Serve.
Serves 4.
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