Grilled Chicken Burger with Charred Peppers
A lean, flavorful grilled chicken burger built with butterflied chicken breast seasoned with barbecue spices, charred red peppers, fresh lettuce, and garlicky toasted focaccia. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual lunch. The butterflying technique ensures even cooking and tender meat, while the dry marinade infuses bold smoky and spicy notes. Ideal for health-conscious diners seeking satisfying street food without deep frying.
Ingredients
- 7 oz chicken breast, butterflied
- 1 teaspoon barbecue seasoning, Masterfoodssmoked paprika + cumin0.5 tsp eachspice
homemade option
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 dash mixed herbs, Masterfoods
- 1 dash salt
- 2 whole focaccia bread, halvedwhole wheat buns2 bunsbread
lighter option
- 1 whole red pepper, halved, seeds removed
- 4 leaves lettuce
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Butterfly chicken breast lengthwise to create two thin cutlets.
- 2
Combine barbecue seasoning, black pepper, chili flakes, mixed herbs, and salt.
- 3
Coat chicken with spice mixture and marinate for 20 minutes.
- 4
Split focaccia bread and sprinkle chopped garlic on cut sides.
- 5
Halve red pepper, remove seeds, and flatten.
- 6
Heat non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- 7
Grill chicken without oil, flipping every 2 minutes until cooked through.
- 8
Rest cooked chicken on plate.
- 9
Grill pepper halves until lightly charred and tender.
- 10
Toast focaccia bread for 1 minute until golden.
- 11
Layer burger bottom-to-top: bread, lettuce, chicken, pepper, bread.
Tips
Butterfly chicken by slicing horizontally with your hand flat on top to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
Skip oil on the non-stick skillet to keep calories low while the dry spices create a flavorful crust.
Toast focaccia immediately after grilling the pepper to serve everything warm.
Good to Know
Cooked chicken keeps refrigerated up to 3 days; store components separately and assemble fresh.
Marinate chicken up to 4 hours ahead. Prep vegetables and toast bread within 1 hour of serving.
Serve immediately while focaccia is warm and lettuce is crisp. Pair with a light salad or Greek yogurt.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the butterfly step to avoid dry, unevenly cooked chicken.
Don't marinate longer than stated or spices become overpowering.
Don't press chicken while grilling or it releases flavorful juices.
Substitutions
lighter option
homemade option
FAQ
Can I make these burgers ahead for meal prep?
Cook chicken and vegetables ahead, refrigerate separately, then assemble fresh on the day. Toasting bread just before serving prevents sogginess from accumulated moisture.
What if I don't have focaccia bread available?
Substitute with ciabatta, whole wheat buns, or even portobello mushroom caps for a low-carb option. Adjust toasting time based on bread thickness.
How long can I keep leftovers and can I freeze them?
Refrigerate cooked components for 3 days maximum. Freeze plain cooked chicken up to 3 months, but assembled burgers don't freeze well due to bread and lettuce quality loss.