Chicken Patties with Cilantro and Lime

These Cilantro Lime Chicken Patties are succulent, savory, and garnished with a rich avocado cilantro dressing. Crafted with lean ground chicken, vibrant cilantro, green onions, and zesty lime, these patties are ideal for summer barbecues or a simple evening meal!

These succulent Cilantro Lime Chicken Patties are loaded with fresh herbs, zesty citrus, and aromatic garlic, then drizzled with a creamy avocado cilantro dressing that elevates each bite. They embody what you desire in a summer patty — light, tasty, and deeply fulfilling without being too heavy. Whether you’re igniting the grill for a backyard feast or whipping up a quick weeknight meal on the stove, this chicken patty recipe will undoubtedly become a household favorite!

Reasons You’ll Adore These

• Moist and flavorful – ground chicken can occasionally be on the dry side, but the mix of breadcrumbs, egg, fresh lime juice, and herbs ensures these patties remain perfectly juicy.
• Nutritious choice – lean protein, fresh components, and a yogurt-based sauce make these patties lighter than standard beef varieties.
• Quick and simple – ideal for hectic weeknights or a spontaneous gathering since everything comes together in roughly 30 minutes.
• Perfect for meal prepping – prepare the patties in advance and enjoy them throughout the week in burgers, lettuce wraps, grain bowls, or salads.

Essential Ingredients

• ground chicken – produces a lean, tender patty that is lighter than beef but still very satisfying. Using regular ground chicken (not just breast meat) helps keep the patties juicy.
• fresh cilantro – contributes a bright, herbal flavor throughout the patties. Finely chop it for even distribution.
• green onions – offer a subtle onion flavor without overwhelming the chicken. They also provide freshness and moisture.
• garlic – fresh minced garlic adds savory richness that pairs perfectly with the lime and cilantro.
• fresh lime – using both lime juice and zest imparts bold citrus flavor. The zest contains essential oils that beautifully enhance the entire dish.
• breadcrumbs – whole wheat breadcrumbs assist in binding the patties while keeping them tender and moist.
• egg – serves as a binder and helps prevent the ground chicken patties from disintegrating during cooking.
• seasonings – a mix of cumin, salt, and black pepper to flavor the chicken patties.
• avocado cilantro dressing – made with avocado, Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, and a bit of water to adjust the sauce consistency.

Steps to Prepare Cilantro Lime Chicken Patties

1. Prepare the patty mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, chopped cilantro, green onions, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and cumin. Gently mix until just blended. Avoid overmixing to keep the patties tender.
2. Shape the patties. Divide the mixture into four equal parts and gently form into patties about ½-inch thick. As ground chicken tends to be sticky, moistening your hands with water or oil will make shaping easier. Arrange the patties on a parchment-lined plate while preheating your grill or non-stick skillet.
3. Cook the patties. Preheat a grill, grill pan, or large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, flipping only once, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Let the patties rest for a few minutes before assembling.
4. Prepare the avocado cilantro dressing. While the patties are cooking, combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding water one tablespoon at a time until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust with more salt or lime juice if necessary.
5. Build the patties. Lightly toast the burger buns. Add a generous spread of avocado cilantro dressing on the bottom bun. Layer with lettuce, the chicken patty, red onion slices, avocado slices if desired, and another drizzle of dressing before topping with the other bun. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Crafting the Best Chicken Patties

• Avoid overmixing the meat – mix just until integrated to ensure the patties remain tender and juicy.
• Moisten your hands – ground chicken is stickier compared to ground beef. Wet hands will make patty shaping significantly easier.
• Chill prior to cooking – if the patties feel soft, refrigerate for 15–20 minutes before cooking to help them maintain their shape.
• Utilize an instant-read thermometer – ground chicken should reach 165°F on a meat thermometer for safe consumption while remaining juicy.
• Toast the buns – lightly toasted buns provide texture and help prevent the dressing from seeping through.
• Prepare the dressing ahead – the avocado cilantro dressing can be made several hours ahead for convenience.
• Allow the patties to rest – resting for 3–5 minutes after cooking redistributes the juices for a more flavorful patty.
• Fresh lime makes a difference – using freshly squeezed lime juice and zest delivers a much brighter flavor compared to bottled juice.

Variations and Alternatives

• Substitute ground turkey – if ground chicken isn’t available, ground turkey makes an excellent alternative. Ground turkey thighs or a mix of dark and white meat will yield the juiciest patties, while lean ground turkey breast is suitable for a lighter option.
• Make it gluten-free – simply replace the breadcrumbs with your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Serve the patties on gluten-free buns or encase them in crisp lettuce leaves.
• Add some spice – fold in finely diced jalapeños or serrano peppers into the chicken mixture or include a dash of cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, or crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
• Change up the herbs – if cilantro isn’t your favorite, you can substitute fresh parsley or even a mix of parsley and basil for a different flavor profile.
• Omit the bun – for a lower-carb or keto dish, serve the chicken patties in lettuce wraps or atop a large salad with the avocado cilantro dressing used as a dressing.
• Create mini sliders – adapt this recipe into party-friendly sliders by making 8 smaller patties and serving them on slider buns. Perfect for summer events, game days, or meal prep lunches.

Serving Suggestions

Storage and Preparation

• To Store – leftover cooked patties can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Store the avocado cilantro dressing separately in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Press plastic wrap against the surface to reduce browning.
• To Freeze – both cooked and uncooked patties can be frozen for up to 3 months. Separate uncooked patties with parchment paper prior to freezing for easy defrosting.
• To Reheat – gently warm the patties in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 350°F oven until heated through. You can microwave them in 30-second intervals, although reheating on the stovetop preserves their texture better.

Common Queries

Additional Grilling Recipes

Enjoy these Cilantro Lime Chicken Patties! If this recipe delights you as much as it does us, kindly leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and remember to share on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!