Spicy Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Aioli Recipe
These Spicy Chicken Burgers deliver a bold kick with a blend of cayenne, smoked paprika, chili powder, and hot sauce, creating juicy, flavorful patties perfect for a quick and easy meal. Served on toasted sesame seed buns with fresh toppings and a zesty chipotle aioli, they are ideal for those craving a spicy twist on a classic burger.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 burgers
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Burger Patties
- 1 lb lean ground chicken (or ground turkey)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- 2–3 Tbsp Franks Red Hot Sauce (or any hot sauce)
For the Chipotle Aioli
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp chipotle powder
- 1–2 tsp Franks Red Hot Sauce (or any hot sauce of choice)
For Serving
- Sesame seed buns
- Fresh sliced tomatoes
- Spicy pickles
- Red onion slices
- Lettuce
Instructions
- Mix the burger ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, 2-3 tablespoons of Franks Red Hot Sauce, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and all the spicy seasonings including cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Mix thoroughly using your hands for even seasoning distribution.
- Form patties: Shape the mixture into 4-5 large burger patties of equal size to ensure uniform cooking.
- Cook the patties: Air Fryer method: Preheat to 370ºF and cook the patties for 12-14 minutes until fully cooked. Grill method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat and cook patties for 5-6 minutes on each side until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF and no pink remains in the center.
- Prepare the chipotle aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, chili powder, chipotle powder, minced garlic, and 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce. Adjust seasoning and heat to taste.
- Assemble the burgers: Toast the sesame seed buns if desired, then layer with lettuce, tomato slices, spicy pickles, red onion slices, and the cooked chicken patties. Drizzle the chipotle aioli over the top before serving. Alternatively, serve the burger patties wrapped in lettuce for a low-carb option.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities to control spiciness.
- Ground turkey can be used as an alternative to chicken.
- Ensure internal temperature of cooked burgers reaches 165ºF for food safety.
- To reduce calories, serve burgers in lettuce wraps instead of buns.
- Mix seasonings thoroughly with the meat to avoid uneven flavor pockets.
