Cheesy, herbaceous, and perfect for the grill! Here are 10 Italian chicken burger recipes — from the classic grilled original to pesto, spicy, and stuffed twists. Every burger gets its own photo.
Browse the Burgers
- Grilled Italian Chicken Burgers
- Pesto Italian Chicken Burgers
- Spicy Italian Chicken Burgers
- Provolone Italian Chicken Burgers
- Turkey Italian Burgers
- Garlic Aioli Italian Chicken Burgers
- Italian Chicken Sliders
- Ciabatta Italian Chicken Burgers
- Stuffed Italian Chicken Burgers
- Sun-Dried Tomato Italian Chicken Burgers
- Burger Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Classic ItalianCheesy • Herbaceous • Grilled
Grilled Italian Chicken Burgers
The Star Recipe
Cheesy, herbaceous, and perfect for the grill — lean ground chicken patties topped with spaghetti sauce and melted mozzarella on toasted Italian bread.
You need:
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp minced fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/6 lean ground chicken
- 1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices Italian bread
Make it:
- Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic, herbs, and chicken. Shape into four patties.
- Grill or broil the patties for 4 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Top the burgers with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella, then heat until melted.
- Toast the Italian bread slices on the grill until golden brown.
- Spread remaining sauce on the bread and top with the cheesy burgers.
- Freeze raw patties on a lined baking sheet for future meals if desired.
Pesto Italian Chicken Burgers
Fresh and Herby
Swap the marinara for basil pesto and add roasted tomatoes for a bright, fresh twist.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, basil pesto, mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, buns
Make it: Follow the main method, then top each patty with pesto, roasted tomatoes and melted mozzarella.
Spicy Italian Chicken Burgers
Bold and Fiery
Red pepper flakes and spicy marinara give these burgers a serious kick.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, red pepper flakes, spicy marinara, mozzarella, buns
Make it: Follow the main method, mixing red pepper flakes into the patties and using spicy marinara on top.
Provolone Italian Chicken Burgers
Smoky and Melty
Smoked provolone melts beautifully over the herbed patty with fresh oregano.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, basil, oregano, smoked provolone, marinara, buns
Make it: Follow the main method, topping each patty with smoked provolone in the last 2 minutes of grilling.
Crowd FavoritesParty-Ready • Big Flavor
Turkey Italian Burgers
Lean and Juicy
Ground turkey steps in with the same Italian herbs, marinara and melted mozzarella.
You need: ground turkey, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, basil, oregano, marinara, mozzarella, buns
Make it: Follow the main method with ground turkey. Don’t overcook — pull at 165°F for juicy patties.
Garlic Aioli Italian Chicken Burgers
Creamy and Bold
A swipe of homemade garlic aioli, roasted peppers and arugula elevate the classic.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, herbs, roasted peppers, arugula, garlic aioli, buns
Make it: Grill patties per the main method, then layer with roasted peppers, arugula and a generous swipe of garlic aioli.
Italian Chicken Sliders
Mini and Fun
Bite-sized versions of the classic — perfect for parties and game day.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, basil, oregano, marinara, mozzarella, slider buns
Make it: Shape the mixture into 8 mini patties, grill 3-4 minutes per side, and top with marinara and melted mozzarella.
Creative TwistsSame Herbs • New Ideas
Ciabatta Italian Chicken Burgers
Rustic and Crunchy
Grilled ciabatta rolls add a crispy, chewy bite that holds up to the saucy patty.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, herbs, marinara, mozzarella, ciabatta rolls
Make it: Follow the main method, serving the cheesy patties on grilled ciabatta rolls brushed with olive oil.
Stuffed Italian Chicken Burgers
Molten Cheese Center
Mozzarella stuffed inside the patty melts into a gooey surprise with every bite.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, herbs, mozzarella cubes, marinara, buns
Make it: Form patties around a mozzarella cube, sealing the edges well. Grill 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
Sun-Dried Tomato Italian Chicken Burgers
Sweet and Savory
Chopped sun-dried tomatoes folded into the patty add sweet, intense flavor.
You need: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, marinara, buns
Make it: Mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the patty mixture, then follow the main method with marinara and mozzarella.
Burger Tips
- Don’t overmix. Mix the chicken mixture just until combined — overworking makes dense, tough patties.
- Wet hands shape better. Damp hands keep the sticky chicken mixture from clinging while you shape patties.
- Oil the grates. Chicken patties are lean and love to stick — oil the grill well before cooking.
- Melt cheese at the end. Add mozzarella in the last 1-2 minutes and close the lid for the perfect melt.
- Rest briefly. Two minutes of rest keeps the patties juicy before stacking them on toasted bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the patties from falling apart?
Chill the shaped patties for 15-20 minutes before grilling — cold patties hold their shape much better.
Can I freeze the raw patties?
Yes — freeze raw patties on a lined baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before grilling.
What temperature should chicken burgers reach?
Cook to 165°F internal. A thermometer is the only reliable way to know they’re done.
Can I broil instead of grill?
Yes — broil 4-7 minutes per side until fully cooked, then add sauce and mozzarella and heat until melted.
Won’t lean ground chicken be dry?
The breadcrumbs, parmesan and egg-like binding keep them moist. Don’t press the patties while grilling — that squeezes out the juices.