A couple weeks ago I was cleaning up some old posts and came across a Trader Joe’s night dinner including Chicken Chili Lime Burgers, which I had loved at the time.
I remember wanting to recreate them at home at some point, and had even typed out the ingredient list from the package so I could come back later and have a shopping list all ready to go.
I’m so glad I did, because last night I came up with a recipe that both Ben and I liked even better than the original. I present to you a zesty twist on a TJ’s fave: Homemade Chili Lime Chicken Burgers. You’ve got to try these!
How to Make Copy Cat Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers:
For four burgers, you’ll need 1lb ground chicken. I used ground chicken with 5% fat so my burgers would be nice and juicy, but you could use ground chicken breast for a slightly leaner alternative.
Next add chopped green onions, minced red pepper, and chopped cilantro.
Followed by minced garlic, salt, and red chili pepper flakes, which give the burgers even more zip.
The real hero, though, is the juice of half a lime. It give the burgers a real punch!
Mix all the ingredients together with clean hands, then form the mixture into 4 patties.
You can make these a couple hours ahead of time if need be, just make sure they sit at room temperature for 10 minutes or so before cooking.
Next, heat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. Chili Lime Chicken Burgers are more of an indoor grill vs outdoor grill type of burger, which is just as well because I found out last weekend that the grill Ben and I have been using for the past four years was recalled like 2 years ago for faulty, I don’t know, flame thingies (?) which could set the grill door (or whatever it’s called) on fire. Awesome!
At any rate, spray each side of the burgers very well with non-stick spray, then grill for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through.
When the burgers are nearly cooked on the second side, add a slice of Pepper Jack Cheese, then place a large pot lid on top to allow the cheese to melt.
While the cheese is melting, mix up a batch of Lazy’s Girl’s Guacamole – that’s just 1 avocado mashed with lime juice and garlic salt. The best!
Place the burgers onto a toasted bun then top with guac!
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Copy Cat Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers
Description
Copy Cat Trader Joe's Chili Lime Chicken Burgers are a zesty, fresh twist on chicken for dinner!
Ingredients
- 1lb ground chicken
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
- 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 lime, cut in half
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 4 buns, toasted
- For the guacamole:
- 1 avocado
- garlic salt
- lime juice, to taste
Directions
- Combine chicken, green onions, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and juice of half a lime in a large bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined, then form into 4 patties and spray each side generously with non-stick spray.
- Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill burgers for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through. Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger, then cover with a large pot lid, and allow to melt for about a minute. Remove burgers to a plate, tent with foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Place each burger on a toasted bun then top with guacamole.
- For the guacamole: Mash all ingredients together with a potato masher or fork.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Soooooo much better than I could have even hoped for! Satisfying, filling, and kind of spicy with a cooling touch from the fresh guacamole. Fantastic! I hope you enjoy!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats 03.28.2012
oh my goodness. I just read the title, didn’t even have to see the gorgeous pics, before KNOWING that I MUST make these! YUM!!
Congrats on your new niece..shes adorable!! :D
Sarah 03.28.2012
I was immediately inspired and made these tonight!! Thanks for a great idea!
http://cakeforbreakfast.net/2012/03/28/copy-cat-burgers-and-strange-conversations/
Copy cat burgers and strange conversations | Cake for Breakfast 03.28.2012
[…] recipes in the last month, that’s heavy rotation. Â Around 5pm or so I saw her post on some chili lime burgers she made based on a Trader Joe’s burger and I thought I had enough ingredients on hand to riff […]
Traci 03.28.2012
Have fun being an auntie! Cute, cute baby! The timing of this recipe is perfect. Just today I bought a bunch of ground chicken just because it was on a very good sale. I through it in the freezer hoping I could come up with a new idea for it. Can’t wait to try these!
Prairie Bee 03.28.2012
Wow!!! Your entire family is adorable but your new niece is absolutely precious!!! Love the name Evie and what a darling face ~ she is really a doll!
I’ve never had the TJ’s version but yours looks so good that I think I’m going to go for the Iowa Girl creation!!!
Kelly 03.28.2012
I LOVE the name Evie! Congrats on your new niece, what an exciting time for your family! :)
Deanna 03.28.2012
Super yummy looking recipe…will definitely try soon. And the sister-in-law looks like an actress dropped in that photo – definitely NOT like someone who just gave birth! Seriously, did she get a shower and her hair blown out for that photo!?! I definitely did not look anything like that after my pregnancies. :-)
Blog is the New Black 03.28.2012
Ooooooh I am craving asparagus right now, of all the things you showed! ;) I’ve made a knock off version of the TJ’s burgers, too, and I have some in the freezer that I am contemplating heating up right now!!
Congrats on Evie!
Lauren 03.28.2012
Aww, congrats! Your sister in law looks incredible after giving birth. :)
kathleen @ the daily crumb 03.28.2012
first of all, loving the name evie!
second, totally obsessed with chicken/turkey burgers on the grill. will have to try this recipe now that the weather’s getting warm!!
Kristen W. 03.28.2012
Aww what a sweet little face!
Those burgers looks delish! A must try ASAP!
Danielle 03.28.2012
oh duhh i just saw that you said red chili pepper flakes…when i read the title i just assumed chili powder…sorry!!!
Danielle 03.28.2012
congrats on the new niece!! how exciting :)
quick question…where is the chili in the chili lime chicken burgers? i may have missed something while reading the post! just curious :)
Angie-a pinch of this 03.28.2012
YAY for babies :)
Do you think in could ‘grind’ up chicken breast enough in a cuisanart food processor to work for a burger?
Iowa Girl Eats 03.29.2012
I’ve always wanted to try that to see. Let me know if you do?
Danielle 03.28.2012
Congrats to you, Aunt Kristin! :) Also, congrats to your brother and sister-in-law AND your parents who are probably just oozing joy! :-D
Lindsey 03.28.2012
Congratulations! And yum! I love anything topped with guacamole :)
Michelle (Better with Berries) 03.28.2012
I’ve never had the TJ’s version of these, but yours look so good I think I’ll just try them and skip the store-bought ones :-)
Your niece is absolutely beautiful and I love her name! It’s so pretty :-) And 20 minutes at the hospital?! Way-to-go to your sister-in-law. That’s impressive!
Melissa 03.28.2012
I love your blog! Thank you so very much for this recipe! My husband and I love Trader Joe’s, Chili Lime Chicken Burgers. Sadly, the closest Trader Joe’s is 2 hours away and we’ve been craving the chicken burgers. We usually buy 4-6 boxes at a time. I can’t wait to make these and try them!
Amy M @ In The Mixing Bowl 03.28.2012
I totally agree — there’s nothing better than a fresh punch of lime.
I am going to make these ASAP and top with mango salsa — pretty sure mangos are on sale at HyVee for $0.88!
Lori 03.28.2012
Congratulations on the new niece! I love her name…so cute!
sarah 01.24.2013
I have had 2 of your recipes (chili lime burgers and the chic-fil-a nuggets) and they are very delicious. I love the portions that it comes out too. I have a hard time trying to cook for 2. Thanks for your ideas!!