{"id":306684,"date":"2025-11-20T17:42:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T17:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/barbecue\/indian-butter-chicken-burgers-grillseeker\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T17:42:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T17:42:27","slug":"indian-butter-chicken-burgers-grillseeker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=306684","title":{"rendered":"Indian Butter Chicken Burgers – Grillseeker"},"content":{"rendered":"


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If you follow my blog, you know I love burgers. I also love Indian food, so these Indian Butter Chicken Burgers just made sense.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re everything you get in butter chicken, packed into a ground chicken patty that\u2019s actually juicy<\/strong>, then placed on a toasted bun with a bright, crunchy slaw. The sauce is rich, and full of warm spice while the slaw brightens everything up.<\/p>\n

What Is Butter Chicken?<\/h2>\n

Butter chicken is popular in Northern India and made with marinated chicken breast simmered in a creamy tomato and butter sauce. The traditional Indian spices give it a warm, rich, flavor profile.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not usually a spicy hot dish and the sauce is silky and smooth, which is what makes it perfect to use on a burger. Traditional butter chicken is typically served with rice and naan, and it\u2019s delicious.<\/p>\n

Why This Burger Works<\/h2>\n

Ground chicken carries warm spices really well and the Greek yogurt keeps the Indian butter chicken burgers stay juicy, and tangy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pickled slaw adds brightness and crunch and honestly, I eat this slaw with all kinds of different dishes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The butter sauce, of course, ties everything together with the saut\u00e9ed tomato paste and toasted spices really bringing it alive.<\/p>\n

The toasted buns and a swipe of yogurt finish it off so every bite hits creamy, spicy, bright, and savory all at once.<\/p>\n

Tips for the Best Chicken Burgers<\/h2>\n

Ground chicken is lean, so the key to a great chicken burger is keeping it juicy while also making sure it holds together. <\/p>\n

There are a few different ways to do that, and it all comes down to how you add moisture and how you bind the meat.<\/p>\n

Keeping Ground Chicken Moist<\/h3>\n

Because chicken doesn\u2019t have much fat, you need to give it a little help. For these Indian butter chicken burgers, I use Greek yogurt. It adds both moisture and a light tang that works really well with the warm spices.<\/p>\n

There are other ways to add moisture into burgers too. In my Butter Burger recipe<\/a>, I grate frozen butter right into the ground beef before shaping the patties. The butter melts as the burger cooks and keeps the meat juicy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In my Turkey Meatloaf<\/a>, I use finely chopped mushrooms. They release moisture as they cook and blend right into the meat without changing the texture.<\/p>\n

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Butter Burger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Turkey Meatloaf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

The point is, you have options. Yogurt, butter, cheese, mushrooms, etc. all add moisture differently, and each one brings something unique to the flavor and texture of the meat.<\/p>\n

Keeping Ground Chicken Together<\/h3>\n

Ground chicken can be a little delicate, especially before it sets up in the pan. A small amount of binder helps the patties hold their shape without drying out.<\/p>\n

For these butter chicken burgers, I use panko breadcrumbs. They help the patties stay together and soak up just enough moisture without making the burgers dense.<\/p>\n

Another good option is a panade, which is just bread soaked in a little milk or buttermilk. It becomes soft and blends right into the meat. <\/p>\n

I use that technique in my Smoked Meatloaf<\/a> recipe and it works incredibly well to add moisture and hold together ground meats.<\/p>\n

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Whatever method you choose, the key is balance. You want just enough binder to hold the patty together, but not so much that the burger becomes heavy or dry.<\/p>\n

About the Indian Butter Chicken Burger Spices<\/h2>\n

If your spice cabinet looks like mine, you can mix your own seasoning blend that will really add depth to the burger. I use the following, which yields about a quarter cup: <\/p>\n

1 tbsp kosher salt, (Diamond Crystal)
1\u00bd tsp ground coriander
1\u00bd tsp Kashmiri chili powder
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp coarse black pepper
\u00bd tsp ground cinnamon
\u00bc tsp ground cloves
\u00bc tsp ground nutmeg<\/strong><\/p>\n

BUT<\/strong>\u2026 if you want to keep things simple, just use a quality off the shelf garam masala<\/a> with a bump of Kashmiri chili powder<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I, of course, like the homemade blend; but from a cost perspective I don\u2019t think it\u2019s worth it to buy all these spices unless you\u2019ll use them in other recipes.<\/p>\n

Either way, the flavor is going to be on point.<\/p>\n

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FAQ<\/h2>\n

Are Indian Butter Chicken Burgers Spicy? <\/strong>
No. It has a warm spice flavor, but not heat. If you want some heat, you can add little cayenne or red pepper flakes. <\/p>\n

Can I use store-bought garam masala? <\/strong>
Yes, you can for sure. I recommend adding Kashmiri chili powder to the premade garam masala for color and warmth. <\/p>\n

Can I grill the patties instead of searing?<\/strong>
Yes, 100% you can. Just be sure to oil the burgers prior to putting them on a hot grill grate. <\/p>\n

Can I make the sauce and slaw ahead of time? <\/strong>Yes<\/em> on the sauce. Reheat gently and whisk in a small knob of butter before serving to bring the shine back. No<\/em> on the slaw. After about 90 minutes, it loses it\u2019s crunch and isn\u2019t as good.<\/p>\n

What bun should I use? <\/strong>Brioche works great, and I like to glaze them with some melted butter, minced garlic and chopped cilantro. But potato buns or kaiser rolls also work well and are less sweet.<\/p>\n

How To Make a Butter Chicken Burger<\/h2>\n
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Serves:<\/strong> 5 | Prep Time:<\/strong> 10 mins | Cook Time:<\/strong> 20 mins <\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seasoning
<\/strong>3 tbsp garam masala
2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder<\/p>\n

Butter Chicken Burger Patties<\/strong>
<\/strong>1\u00bd lbs ground chicken
\u00bc cup Greek yogurt
\u00bc cup panko bread crumbs
2 tbsp spice blend<\/p>\n

Slaw
<\/strong>1 cup thinly sliced English cucumber
\u00bd cup thinly sliced red onion, halved
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp lemon juice
\u00bd tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp kosher salt<\/p>\n

Butter Chicken Sauce
<\/strong>1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 tbsp butter, divided
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 tsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, grated
\u00bc cup tomato paste
remaining spice blend
1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
1\u00bd cups heavy cream<\/p>\n

Buns
<\/strong>5 brioche or potato buns<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/strong> Combine cucumber, red onion, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Toss and set aside.<\/p>\n

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Step 2:<\/strong> Combine ground chicken, Greek yogurt, panko, and two tablespoons of the spice blend. Mix gently and form five patties. Refrigerate uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes.<\/p>\n

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Step 3:<\/strong> Heat oil and 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Add onion and cook until golden. Add ginger and garlic and cook for one minute. Add tomato paste and cook 2 to 3 minutes until deeper in color. Then, add remaining spice blend and stir for 30 seconds.<\/p>\n

\"spices<\/figure>\n

Step 4:<\/strong> Whisk in the heavy cream and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until thick enough to coat a spoon. Taste and adjust salt to taste. Remove from heat and whisk in the remaining tablespoon of butter.<\/p>\n

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Step 5:<\/strong> Heat a cast iron or stainless skillet over medium high. Sear patties 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once browned, cover and remove from heat to finish cooking (internal temp 165\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

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Step 6:<\/strong> Lightly butter and toast buns. Mix melted butter with grated garlic and cilantro. Brush over the top buns.<\/p>\n

Step 7:<\/strong> Spread a spoonful of yogurt on the bottom bun, then add slaw. Place a patty on top of the slaw and spoon the warm butter sauce over the patty. Finish with cilantro, and butter glazed bun top.<\/p>\n

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Indian Butter Chicken Burgers<\/h2>\n

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Prep Time: <\/span>10 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cook Time: <\/span>20 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Servings: <\/span>5<\/span><\/p>\n

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Spice Blend \u2013 (homemade, or\u2026)<\/h4>\n