Dinner

Chicken Tikka Burgers Recipe

ByHailey Reed November 9, 2025November 9, 2025

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.

The image shows three grilled chicken sandwiches on soft, golden-brown ciabatta rolls placed on a wooden board. Each sandwich has three layers: the bottom layer consists of green lettuce and thin slices of cucumber, the middle layer features grilled chicken with char marks, and the top layer has finely sliced red onions and dollops of red salsa with visible tomato chunks. On the side, there is a white bowl filled with green salad, another white bowl with chunky red salsa, and lemon wedges scattered around the wooden board. A woman's hand holds a sandwich on the upper right corner. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

The image shows a wooden board on a white marbled surface with two open-faced grilled chicken sandwiches. Each sandwich has three layers: the bottom layer is a soft square bread roll, the middle layer is grilled chicken with grill marks, and the top layers include fresh green lettuce, cucumber slices, and thin red onion rings. Next to the sandwiches, there is a white bowl with green salad and a white mug filled with chunky red salsa. Lemon wedges are placed around the board, and a woman's hand is holding a piece of bread at the top right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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.