Chicken Tikka Burgers Recipe
Introduction
Chicken tikka burgers offer a flavorful twist on the classic burger, combining the rich spices of Indian cuisine with the ease of a grilled chicken sandwich. This recipe features tender marinated chicken breasts served with a tangy, spicy chutney and fresh salad for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 6 small chicken breasts
- 6 burger buns (ciabatta recommended)
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 200g Greek yogurt
- Thumb-sized piece ginger, very finely grated
- 4 garlic cloves, very finely grated or crushed
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon, plus wedges to serve
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 1 tsp tamarind pulp
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- 1 Little Gem lettuce, shredded
- Small bunch of mint leaves, picked
- 1 small red onion, halved and finely sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine tomato purée, Greek yogurt, grated ginger, garlic, garam masala, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Open out each chicken breast and flatten slightly. Place the chicken in the marinade, making sure each piece is well coated. Leave to marinate for at least 2-3 hours.
- Step 3: While the chicken marinates, mix chopped tomatoes, chopped red onion, green chilli, tamarind pulp, and tomato ketchup to make the chutney. Set aside in the fridge—it will keep overnight.
- Step 4: Heat your BBQ until the coals are ashen and hot. Grill the marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Toss together the cucumber slices, shredded Little Gem lettuce, mint leaves, and finely sliced red onion to make the salad.
- Step 6: To assemble, place a grilled chicken breast in each bun, top with the salad and a generous spoonful of chutney. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, reduce the cayenne pepper or omit the green chilli from the chutney.
- You can substitute ciabatta buns with any burger buns you prefer, such as brioche or whole wheat.
- If you don’t have a BBQ, cooking the chicken under a grill or in a hot pan works just as well.
- Add sliced avocado or a dollop of mango chutney for extra richness and sweetness.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken and chutney separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the chicken gently in a pan or oven to avoid drying it out. It’s best to toast the buns fresh before serving to maintain their texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work well and are more forgiving on the grill, staying juicy and flavorful. Adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they are cooked through.
How spicy is this recipe?
The recipe has a medium spice level due to the cayenne and green chilli. You can easily adjust the heat by reducing or omitting these ingredients to suit your taste.
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Chicken Tikka Burgers Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 burgers 1x
Description
These Chicken Tikka Burgers are a flavorful fusion dish combining the smoky, spiced marinade of classic chicken tikka with the casual comfort of a burger. Succulent chicken breasts marinated in a blend of Greek yogurt, garam masala, and aromatic spices are grilled to perfection and served in ciabatta buns with a fresh tangy chutney and crunchy salad, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 6 small chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 200g Greek yogurt
- thumb-sized piece ginger, very finely grated
- 4 garlic cloves, very finely grated or crushed
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- juice of 1 lemon
Chutney
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 1 tsp tamarind pulp
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
Burger Assembly
- 6 burger buns (ciabatta recommended)
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- 1 Little Gem lettuce, shredded
- small bunch of mint leaves, picked
- 1 small red onion, halved and finely sliced
- lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine tomato purée, Greek yogurt, grated ginger, garlic, garam masala, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice to form a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Slice each chicken breast open and flatten slightly for even cooking. Submerge the chicken breasts in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours to absorb all the spices and flavors.
- Make the chutney: While the chicken marinates, mix the chopped tomatoes, red onion, green chilli, tamarind pulp, and tomato ketchup in a separate bowl. Cover and refrigerate; the chutney can be kept overnight for deeper flavor development.
- Prepare the grill: Heat your BBQ until the coals are ashen and hot, ideal for griddling.
- Cook the chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until they are cooked through and have grill marks.
- Assemble the burgers: On each ciabatta bun, layer shredded Little Gem lettuce, sliced cucumber, mint leaves, sliced red onion, and the grilled chicken breast. Spoon generous amounts of the chutney on top.
- Serve: Serve the assembled burgers with lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrusy kick.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for an even more intense flavor.
- The chutney can be prepared a day ahead to save time and enhance the taste.
- Use ciabatta buns for a rustic texture, but any burger bun can be substituted.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount depending on your heat preference.
- These burgers are perfect for summer barbecue parties and casual dinners alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Grilling
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Indian fusion
Keywords: Chicken tikka burgers, grilled chicken burgers, Indian fusion burgers, BBQ chicken tikka, spicy chicken burgers
