Greek Chicken Burgers with Tzatziki Recipe
These Greek Chicken Burgers with homemade tzatziki sauce offer a flavorful and refreshing twist on classic chicken patties. Juicy chicken is paired perfectly with a creamy, garlicky cucumber tzatziki, making a delicious meal ideal for grilling, stovetop cooking, or a backyard barbecue.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 large English cucumber
- Coarse sea salt (to taste)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 green onion (for garnish)
- 2 cups strained yogurt
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
For the Greek Chicken Burgers (Estimated Ingredients)
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
- 4 burger buns or pita bread
- Lettuce and tomato slices (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: Peel and grate the cucumber using a box grater or a food processor with the grater blade. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then squeeze the grated cucumber over the sink to remove excess liquid.
- Mash the Garlic and Mince Green Onion: Mash garlic cloves into a paste and finely mince the green onion for garnish.
- Mix Tzatziki Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together strained yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh dill until well combined. Fold in the shredded and drained cucumber. Season with salt to taste and garnish with minced green onions. Refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Chicken Burger Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, lemon juice, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Form Patties: Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty slightly larger than your burger buns.
- Cook the Burgers: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet or on a grill over medium heat. Cook the patties for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the burgers are golden brown.
- Assemble the Burgers: Place cooked chicken patties on the buns or pita bread. Add lettuce and tomato slices if desired, then top generously with chilled tzatziki sauce. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly squeeze the cucumber to prevent watery tzatziki.
- Allow the tzatziki to chill for at least 2-3 hours to fully develop flavors.
- Use ground chicken breast for a leaner option or mix with dark meat for juicier patties.
- These burgers can also be grilled outdoors for an authentic smoky flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute burger buns with lettuce wraps or gluten-free buns.
Keywords: Greek chicken burgers, tzatziki sauce, healthy chicken patties, Mediterranean recipe, grilled chicken burgers
