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!
Debra nolen 12.12.2012
These are so tasty that i will for sure be making over and over!Thank you for sharing:)
DeeDee 12.11.2012
They look delicious and your pictures are always beautiful! I’ve made them this weekend and they tasted great but looked like a disaster !
Lauren V. 11.25.2012
Does anyone know if these freeze well? :)
Natalie 10.11.2012
These look so yummy! I was wondering what kind of bun you used?
Thank you!
Iowa Girl Eats 10.11.2012
That’s a “Thin Bun”!
MISSEN16 09.29.2012
when i saw this recipes i directly goes to my kitchen and bring out the ingredients & i did it, now its on the fridge.. i will cook later night and .. i have blog i will put it there and i will translate into my language so the people around me will understand & i will put the resource to this original recipe which is your site .. thank you 4 posting this easy recipe
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[…] Homemade Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers: This copy cat recipe is seriously delicious. I’d actually never tried the original, and have never had any type of Chili Lime style chicken. But it was love at first bite. For reals. […]
Jamie Ward 09.04.2012
Wow!! Amazing flavors coming from all directions! This recipe is a keeper!!
Marieann 08.31.2012
I can’t believe you thought the same thing that I did. I tried a sample of these at TJ and thought, how can I make these myself? Thanks for the information I can’t wait to try your recipe. I am going to go with chipped chives instead of green onions since that is what is in my garden.
Donna Shelton 08.29.2012
Love Iowa girl eats! Red peppers are my most beautiful vegetable,,,,unbelievable red and makes any dish gorgeous. You can have the cilantro though,,,, I use very little and substitute parsley.
Keep up this great website.
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Kath 08.22.2012
Your burgers are a perfect choice for the DailyBuzz Healthy Living Top 9! http://bit.ly/SjIftf
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brandy 08.14.2012
ps – your blog is my new fave!!
brandy 08.14.2012
ummmmm…yum!
my picky husband was a big fan – he who dislikes scallions and cilantro (which i love to bits)! win!!
thank you :-)
Rebecca 07.05.2012
just found your blog and made these for the first time this week – delish! we did a few subs (ground turkey for ground chicken because it’s easier to find, used a cube of the Dorot frozen chili & garlic instead of flakes/fresh) and these were amazing. quick, healthy dinner!
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Zuzu 05.28.2012
Been meaning to try this for awhile now… tried it and it was a big hit with everyone.. made some modifications for the kids, but it was easy to cater to different preferences and still come out with a winner. We added bacon, because not everyone loves cilantro… but everyone LOVES bacon.