Smash Chicken Burger with Spicy Mayo & Bacon
The Smash Chicken Burger with Spicy Mayo & Bacon combines juicy, tender smashed chicken thighs with crispy thick-cut bacon and a zesty homemade spicy mayo, all layered on soft toasted buns with fresh lettuce and tomato. This easy-to-make recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and fresh notes, ready in under 30 minutes—ideal for quick lunches or impressive weekend meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Patties
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp oil or butter for cooking
Bacon
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
Spicy Mayo
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 tbsp hot sauce (such as sriracha or chipotle), adjust to taste
Burger Assembly
- 4 soft burger buns (brioche or potato buns recommended)
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Patties: Finely chop the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and season generously with salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into loose balls. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add oil or butter. Place each chicken ball in the pan and firmly smash it down with a spatula to create thin patties. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden, then flip and cook the other side until fully cooked and juicy inside.
- Cook the Bacon: While the chicken cooks, pan-fry the thick-cut bacon slices until they are crisp yet slightly chewy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Make Spicy Mayo: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with your preferred hot sauce (such as sriracha or chipotle). Adjust the amount of hot sauce to achieve your desired spice level.
- Assemble the Burger: Lightly toast the cut sides of the burger buns in the same pan for 1-2 minutes. Spread a generous layer of spicy mayo on both halves of each bun. Add fresh lettuce and tomato slices, place the smashed chicken patty on top, then add the crispy bacon. Complete each burger by topping with the other bun half and press lightly to hold together.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while the chicken is juicy and bacon is warm. Pair with your favorite side dishes or enjoy the burger on its own for a quick, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful patties.
- Don’t skip the smashing step to create crispy edges and enhance texture.
- Season both the chicken and fresh toppings lightly to build balanced flavor layers.
- Toast the buns to prevent sogginess and add texture.
- Make the spicy mayo a day ahead to let flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: smash chicken burger, spicy mayo, bacon burger, chicken burger, homemade burger, quick chicken recipe
