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–+ servings

Chicken Caesar Smash Burgers

Juicy chicken smash burgers meet creamy Caesar salad in this fun, flavor-packed twist on a classic. Each bite has crispy edges, melted cheese, crunchy romaine, and tangy dressing all tucked in a toasted bun. Easy to make at home and even easier with store-bought Caesar dressing for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Yields4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings4 servings

Ingredients

CAESAR DRESSING

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup parmesan, freshly grated

CHICKEN PATTIES

  • 1 pound ground chicken, makes about 5 patties, 3 to 3½ oz each
  • unsalted butter, for cooking
  • 6 to 8 slices white American cheese

FOR ASSEMBLY

  • 3 to 4 brioche burger buns
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for toasting buns)
  • 1 romaine lettuce head, chopped
  • 1 cup croutons, lightly crushed
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan

Instructions 

  1. Make the Caesar dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, Worcestershire, garlic, mustard, anchovy paste, parsley, black pepper, and parmesan until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Shape and season the patties: Divide the ground chicken into 5 equal portions (about 3 to 3½ ounces each) and roll into balls. Place each one on a parchment paper square. Flatten each one completely into a thin patty — this helps them sear evenly and get those crispy edges.
  3. Cook the smash burgers: Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and melt a bit of butter. Place a patty on the hot surface, sprinkle the top with salt, black pepper, and paprika, and let it sear. Use a spatula or meat smasher to flatten patties even more if you'd like.
  4. Once golden and crisp on the bottom, about 3 minutes, flip, season the other side, and cook for another 3 minutes or until finished cooking through.
  5. Add a slice of white American cheese on top of each patty. Stack two on top of each other if serving as double burgers and take patties off the heat.
  6. Toast the buns: Brush the cut sides of the buns with melted butter and toast until golden and crispy along the edges.
  7. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, crushed croutons, parsley, parmesan, and a few spoonfuls of Caesar dressing. Toss until evenly coated.
  8. Assemble the burgers: Spread Caesar dressing generously on both the bottom and top buns. Layer one or two cheesy chicken patties on the bottom bun, then pile on the dressed Caesar salad. Serve right away while warm and crisp with french fries!

Notes

Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
A: Absolutely! Ground turkey works great here — just make sure it’s not too lean so the patties stay juicy when smashed.
Q: What if I don’t have anchovy paste?
A: You can skip it, but it really adds that signature Caesar flavor. If needed, a small splash of fish sauce or extra Worcestershire sauce can help mimic the depth.
Q: How do I keep the chicken from sticking when smashing?
A: Use a piece of parchment paper between the spatula and the chicken, or lightly oil your spatula first. Smash while the meat is still cold for the best texture.
Q: Can I use store-bought Caesar dressing?
A: Definitely! A good-quality store-bought dressing works great here for an easy shortcut — it’ll still give you all that creamy, tangy flavor with less prep.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. I love hearing from you!