Southwest Chicken Smash Burger
Want to save this recipe?
I got you! Just enter your email address, and I'll forward it to your inbox! Plus, you'll receive a bonus of healthful, "must-try" recipes each week!
Southwest Chicken Smash Burger
Ingredients for 6 smashed patties (3 burgers)
- Chicken Mince
- 10oz raw chicken thighs, fat partially trimmed
- 6oz raw lean chicken breast
- 1 chicken-flavored bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons chorizo seasoning (or chili powder)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Pinch of sea salt & pepper
- Sweet Chipotle Sauce
- 5 tablespoons olive oil mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons chipotle pepper sauce (from the can)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 4 hamburger buns of choice (I recommend sourdough or whole wheat) OR iceberg lettuce for a bun-less option
- Garnish
- lettuce
- tomato
Note: macronutrients include the sauce, not the garnish
Breakdown for 1 of 6 chicken patties without spices: 90 calories, 2.5g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 15g protein, sodium 75mg
Steps
Step 1
Place ingredients for the chicken mince in a food processor and process until mixed and minced together. Depending on the size of your processor, you may need to do this in batches.
Step 2
Add minced chicken to a bowl, along with all the spices. Do NOT add salt as the bouillon cube is already pretty salty. Use an ice cream scoop to evenly divide the meat.
Step 3
Place a carbon steel or cast-iron pan/griddle on medium high heat. Once hot, spray with avocado oil.
Step 4
Add a scoop of the meat to the pan. Place a piece of parchment paper directly on top of the chicken, then smash it down using the back of a heavy skillet, cup or flat surface.
Step 5
Let it cook for about 2 – 3 minutes or until sear marks appear, then flip it over using a spatula to cook/sear for an additional 2 – 3 minutes, or until cooked through. Note: if you plan to have cheese, add it once you flip the burger. It is VERY important not to overcook these as they will be VERY dry due to the leanness of chicken.
Step 6
Build your burger! Toast the buns in the oven, then add some chipotle sauce, the smash burger(s), lettuce, tomato, red onion. Note: cheese is not accounted for in the macronutrient breakdown.
Step 7
For a lighter version, swap buns with iceberg or green lettuce leaves.
Southwest Chicken Smash Burger
Kevin Curry
INGREDIENTS
- Chicken Mince
- 10oz raw chicken thighs, fat partially trimmed
- 6oz raw lean chicken breast
- 1 chicken-flavored bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons chorizo seasoning (or chili powder)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Pinch of sea salt & pepper
- Sweet Chipotle Sauce
- 5 tablespoons olive oil mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons chipotle pepper sauce (from the can)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 4 hamburger buns of choice (I recommend sourdough or whole wheat) OR iceberg lettuce for a bun-less option
- Garnish
- lettuce
- tomato
Note: macronutrients include the sauce, not the garnish
Breakdown for 1 of 6 chicken patties without spices: 90 calories, 2.5g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 15g protein, sodium 75mg
INSTRUCTIONS
-
Place ingredients for the chicken mince in a food processor and process until mixed and minced together. Depending on the size of your processor, you may need to do this in batches.
-
Add minced chicken to a bowl, along with all the spices. Do NOT add salt as the bouillon cube is already pretty salty. Use an ice cream scoop to evenly divide the meat.
-
Place a carbon steel or cast-iron pan/griddle on medium high heat. Once hot, spray with avocado oil.
-
Add a scoop of the meat to the pan. Place a piece of parchment paper directly on top of the chicken, then smash it down using the back of a heavy skillet, cup or flat surface.
-
Let it cook for about 2 – 3 minutes or until sear marks appear, then flip it over using a spatula to cook/sear for an additional 2 – 3 minutes, or until cooked through. Note: if you plan to have cheese, add it once you flip the burger. It is VERY important not to overcook these as they will be VERY dry due to the leanness of chicken.
-
Build your burger! Toast the buns in the oven, then add some chipotle sauce, the smash burger(s), lettuce, tomato, red onion. Note: cheese is not accounted for in the macronutrient breakdown.
-
For a lighter version, swap buns with iceberg or green lettuce leaves.
Nutrition per serving
Reviews
Popular Content
5 High Protein Keto Friendly Snacks (Mediterranean Diet Style)
Recipes 5 Min Protein 15g Max Net Carbs 11g Cook Required 1 of 5 Most...
April 13, 2026
Moroccan Chicken Rice Tagine – One-Pot 30-Minute Meal Prep
~510 cal | 46g Protein | Carbs: ~49g | Fat: ~13g | Fiber: ~5g | ...
March 4, 2026
How to Tell if You’re Fine or Just Used to Chaos
If you've ever said “I'm fine” and meant it — this one's for you. We're...
February 23, 2026
High Protein Valentine’s Day Dinner: Malagasy Vanilla Chicken & Prawns (30g Protein)
Look, I get it. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and your first instinct...
February 13, 2026



Jun 24 2023
What bullion cube?? (step 2)
ah! great catch! updated.