These easy keto chicken burger patties served with chipotle mayo slaw will satisfy that burger need without the need for a bun!
Easy Chicken Burgers
These easy keto chicken burgers with creamy chipotle mayo slaw are the perfect healthy burger recipe when you want something with less fat than traditional ground beef burgers, but still crave a satisfying, flavor-packed complete meal.
29 grams of protein for each chicken patty! All the nutritional information is at the bottom of this page on the printable recipe card.
Made with juicy chicken thighs, simple ingredients, and served without a bun, these healthy chicken burgers are low carb, high in protein, and absolutely delicious for an easy weeknight meal.
If you’ve been looking for a great way to enjoy burgers on a low carb diet or ketogenic diet without feeling heavy or overly full, these juicy chicken patties are one of sugar free mom’s best recipes.
They’re packed with flavor, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for anyone following a keto diet, low carb lifestyle, or my Midlife Macro Method approach.
Unlike classic keto recipes that rely heavily on cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese and extra fat, these healthy burgers focus more on protein while still giving you incredible texture and taste.
Served without a bun, and topped with chipotle mayo slaw, giving you a party in your mouth! These can be made on the grill, stove top or even baked in the oven, however you decide to make these chicken burgers, you will not be disappointed!
If you truly desire a keto roll with these, you might enjoy these cheesy fat head rolls , or my fluffy cottage cheese flourless high protein rolls.
Why You’ll Love These Keto Chicken Burgers
- Easy recipe made with simple ingredients
- High-protein meal that keeps you satisfied
- Perfect for weight loss and blood sugar balance
- Great for meal prep and easy weeknight meals
- Naturally gluten-free and low carb
- Crispy outside with juicy burger patties inside
- Can be cooked in the air fryer, frying pan, grill, or oven
- Whole family approved
- Delicious with or without a keto hamburger bun
These easy chicken patties are especially helpful in midlife when many women notice classic high-fat keto meals no longer leave them feeling their best.
Prioritizing protein with moderate fat can help support satiety, muscle maintenance, and healthier body composition while still enjoying comforting keto meals.

The Secret to Juicy Chicken Burgers
The best way to make flavorful keto chicken burgers is using boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast fillets alone. Chicken thighs provide more moisture and flavor which helps keep the burgers juicy instead of dry.
You can absolutely use:
- Ground chicken
- Ground turkey
- Ground beef
- Leftover rotisserie chicken
- Canned chicken
But dark meat chicken thighs truly create the best texture for homemade chicken burgers.
If using chicken breast only, I recommend adding a little olive oil or avocado oil to help prevent dryness.
Midlife Macro Friendly Burgers
One thing I personally love about these healthy chicken burgers is that they fit beautifully into my Midlife Macro Method.
Instead of relying on massive amounts of cheese, cream cheese, pork rinds, or heavy fat bombs like many classic keto meals, this recipe prioritizes:
- Protein
- Flavor
- Fiber-rich slaw
- Moderate healthy fats
- Lower total carbs
That combination can help keep you fuller longer without feeling overly stuffed or sluggish.
These burgers are also a great high-protein meal option after strength training workouts or on busy nights when you need a quick meal without sacrificing your goals.
Food Processor– The best way to make a ground chicken in no time. Or just use already ground chicken, but I prefer grinding chicken thighs myself, just like in my Chicken Nugget recipe, plus it’s less expensive.
Mandoline– Or a really sharp chef knife to slice your cabbage very thin.
Large Bowl– Multiple sizes that stack perfectly in any kitchen.
Cast Iron Pan– If you decide not to grill these chicken burgers, using a cast iron pan is the nest way to get a nice crispy outside texture but ensure a moist burger inside.

Helpful Swaps and Variations
This favorite recipe is very versatile and easy to customize.
Dairy-Free Option
This recipe is naturally dairy free if you use olive oil or avocado oil instead of ghee.
Make It Less Spicy
Reduce the chipotle flakes and chili powder for a milder flavor.
Add More Heat
Love buffalo wings or spicy food? Add extra chipotle powder or hot sauce to and now you’ve got buffalo chicken burgers.
No Food Processor?
You can simply use already prepared ground chicken from the grocery store which will be the easiest way to mix it all together.
No Mayo?
Use Greek yogurt instead for a lighter high-protein sauce.
Want a Bun?
Serve on:
Other Burger Recipes you might like:
Best Cooking Methods
These keto chicken burgers can be made several different ways depending on what works best for your schedule.
Frying Pan
Cook in a large nonstick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through.
Air Fryer
The air fryer is one of the easiest ways to cook these easy chicken patties.
- Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F
- Place patties in a single layer on parchment paper
- Cook about 4-5 minutes per side
Grill
Perfect during grilling season for a healthy burger option.
Oven
Bake on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at 400 degrees F until fully cooked.
Tips for the Best Chicken Burgers
Use Wet Hands
Wet hands make shaping burger patties much easier since the chicken mixture can be sticky.
Don’t Overcook
Chicken burgers dry out quickly if cooked too long.
Medium Heat Works Best
Cooking over medium heat instead of very high heat helps create a crispy outside while keeping the inside moist.
Make Larger Patties
The chicken patties shrink slightly during cooking, so start with slightly larger patties.
What to Serve with Keto Chicken Burgers
These healthy burgers pair perfectly with:
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat:
- Frying pan over medium heat
- Air fryer for a few minutes
- Oven at 350 degrees F
The slaw is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored separately for about 1 day.
Keto Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo Slaw
These must try Keto Chicken Burgers are healthy and low in carbs. They have a nice kick to them, but they are not too spicy. They are lean, filling and satisfying without the need for a bun. They can be made on the stove top, on the grill or baked in the oven. And they are served with a generous portion of Chipotle Mayo Slaw. A versatile low-carb dinner recipe that’s perfect all year round.
Servings: 2 burgers
Calories: 283kcal
Prevent your screen from going to sleep
BURGERS
- 3 skinless boneless chicken thighs (250g) (or ground chicken or chicken breasts)
- 1 clove garlic minced (4g)
- 1 ounce onion finely diced (35g)
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tbsp chili pepper fresh, mild/medium, chopped (6g)
- 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper cracked (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped (4g)
- 1 tbsp ghee for frying (or olive oil or avocado oil)
SLAW
- 1/2 cup red cabbage (35g)
- 1/2 cup white cabbage (70g)
- 1 medium green onion (15g)
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped (8g)
CHICKEN BURGERS
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Place the chicken in a food processor along with the garlic and onion. Blitz to combine. Transfer to a bowl and mix with the tomato puree, chili, salt, pepper and parsley until combined.
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Press into two burger patties or use a burger press. Add the ghee to a non stick frying pan. Fry the chicken burgers for about 3 – 4 minutes per side on low / medium heat (6 – 8 minutes in total) or until cooked through. Make sure the heat is not too high so you do not burn the outside.
MAYO
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In a clean small bowl, mix the mayo ingredients together using a spoon. Stir through the slaw, keeping about 1.5 tbsp back to add on top of the burgers.
Here’s the nutrition info including the chipotle mayo and slaw for each burger: Calories: 501, Carbs: 8g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 39g, Fiber: 2g
If using Greek yogurt in place of mayo and including it in nutrition with burger: Calories: 305, Carbs: 5g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 15g, Fiber: 1g
This recipe was first published in August 2020.
Serving: 1chicken burger | Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 338IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg
