Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Lime Chicken Burgers are a zesty, fresh twist on basic burgers. Switch up burger night with this craveable recipe!
A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning up old posts here on IGE and came across a Trader Joe’s night dinner including Chicken Chili Lime Burgers, which my husband and I had loved at the time.
I remember wanting to recreate them at home 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 I was able to use the ingredient list to create a burger we 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!
Copycat Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers
Start by adding 1lb ground chicken to a large mixing bowl. I recommend ground chicken with 5% fat so the burgers stay nice and juicy, though you can 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.
Next, heat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. Chili Lime Chicken Burgers are more of an indoor grill vs outdoor grill burger. 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!
These easy chicken burgers are truly satisfying, totally filling, and I love the contrast between the creamy, cool guacamole, and the sizzling burgers. I hope you enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb 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
- 1/2 lime
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 4 buns, toasted
For the Lazy Girl's Guacamole:
- 1 avocado
- garlic salt
- 1/2 lime
Directions
For the Chili Lime Chicken Burgers:
- Combine chicken, green onions, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, and lime juice in a large bowl. Mix until just combined then form into 4 patties and spray each side generously with nonstick spray.
- Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat then cook burgers for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked through. Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger then cover with a large lid and allow cheese to melt. Remove burgers to a plate then tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Place each burger on a toasted bun then top with Lazy Girl's Guacamole.
For the Lazy Girl's Guacamole:
- Mash all ingredients together with a fork.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Yay for babies! Those burgers look amazing. Definitely going to give them a try!! Anything topped with guacamole has my vote!
Finn is a big brother!! Hurray! Love the name Evie, though Poppy was pretty cute too. :) Congrats, Auntie.
These burgers look SO good, definitely on the menu soon!
CONGRATS to your brother & Sister in law!!! Love her name, too. What’s her middle name? That burger looks amazing, I will have to try it!
Congrats on the niece!
Those burgers look so delicious!
What a beautiful addition to your family!
Those burgers look delish!
Hi there! Congrats on your niece!! She is precious. I am sending this recipe out to a friend of mine who is a chef to see if there is any way to make it vegetarian…it looks amazing and the flavor combo sounds right up my alley! I also loved the frozen breakfast burritos! You have such a great blog :) Thank you for your posts! xo
20 minutes?! If they have another, I hope your brother is prepared to deliver it at home!
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
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/
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!
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!!!
I LOVE the name Evie! Congrats on your new niece, what an exciting time for your family! :)
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. :-)