This Grilled California Chicken Burger brings together juicy chicken, grilled avocado, smoky ham, and melted jack cheese, all tucked into a toasted bun with a creamy chipotle sauce that gives it a bit of a kick. It’s a go-to for backyard grilling, but just as perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something bold without much hassle.
This burger is also so easy to make. The chicken is quickly seasoned, the avocado gets smoky on the grill, and the chipotle spread ties it all together. You can even prep most of it ahead, so you’re ready to go when the grill’s hot.
I’ve made these burgers on a traditional grill, an electric grill while tailgating, and even on a Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. If you can grill chicken, then you can make these tasty handhelds! I especially love how whenever you add tomato and avocado to something, it becomes Californian! No matter what you call them, these are delish!
Ingredients
For the Burgers
- Hamburger buns – This is a hearty sandwich. Use a good-quality bakery or brioche bun.
- Chicken breasts – You need boneless and skinless chicken for these chicken burgers.
- Leaves of green leaf lettuce – Or your favorite lettuce, washed or shredded.
- Avocado – Pick a ripe, but not too soft, avocado.
- Tomato – Love summer fresh beefsteak tomatoes on this hefty sandwich.
- Deli smoked ham – You can use any kind, but I’d stay clear of the flavored ham like maple or Tuscan.
- Vegetable oil
- Jack cheese – Want it a bit spicy? Use jalapeno jack cheese.
Burger Seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper
- Brown sugar
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Chili powder
Chipotle Spread
- Mayonnaise – I prefer full-fat mayo but any will work.
- Chipotle powder – If you don’t like the spice, use sweet paprika instead.
- Honey – A little goes a long way, but you can start with half the honey if you don’t like it too sweet.
- Apple cider vinegar – Or use white vinegar.
- Garlic clove – Use fresh garlic; jarlic just doesn’t have the same flavor.
How To Make Grilled California Chicken Burgers
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
To start, make the chipotle spread. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, chipotle powder, honey, vinegar, and garlic until smooth. Cover and chill for at least four hours to let the flavors develop. While the spread rests, combine all the dry seasonings in a bowl.
Slice each chicken breast horizontally to make four thin pieces. Brush them with two tablespoons of oil. I prefer using a refillable oil brush with squeeze control because it applies oil evenly without spills. Coat the chicken with the seasoning blend on both sides.
Cut the avocado into slices about ½ cm thick. A wire avocado cutter makes this step easier by creating clean, even cuts without squishing the flesh. Brush the slices with the remaining tablespoon of oil.
Heat your grill to medium-high. Grill the avocado slices for 3 to 5 minutes per side until lightly charred. At the same time, place the ham slices on the grill and cook for about 1 minute per side until warm and slightly crisp.
Reduce the heat to medium. Grill the chicken cutlets for 5 to 6 minutes per side until fully cooked through. A digital fork thermometer is great for this because it gives quick and accurate temperature readings without switching tools. Once the chicken is almost done, place a slice of cheese on top of each piece and close the grill so it melts.
While the chicken rests, lightly toast the burger buns on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
To build the burgers, spread the chipotle spread on both halves of the bun. Layer the grilled avocado, cheese-covered chicken, ham, a tomato slice, and lettuce. Top it with the bun and serve warm.
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before assembling so it stays juicy.
- Prepare the chipotle spread a day in advance for deeper flavor.
- Grilling the avocado gives it a richer taste and helps it hold its shape.
- Use a digital fork thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked perfectly without guesswork.
Recommended
Make It A Meal
Serve these burgers with grilled vegetables, seasoned fries, or a crisp side salad. A chilled drink or lemonade adds a refreshing finish.
Storage
Store cooked components in sealed containers for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken gently before serving. The chipotle spread will last up to a week in the fridge.
Grilled California Chicken Burger
Ingredients
For the Burgers
- 4 burger buns
- 2 chicken breasts tenderloins removed
- 4 leaves green leaf lettuce washed or shredded
- 1 avocado ripe, but not too soft
- 1 tomato thickly sliced
- 4 slices smoked ham sliced
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
Burger Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Chipotle Spread
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove finely minced
Instructions
- Mix the chipotle spread ingredients until smooth, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Combine the burger seasoning in a bowl.
- Slice each chicken breast in half to make 4 cutlets, then brush with 2 tablespoons of oil and coat with seasoning.
- Cut the avocado into thick slices and brush with the remaining tablespoon of oil.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high.
- Grill avocado slices for 3 to 5 minutes per side and ham slices for 1 minute per side.
- Lower the heat and grill chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through. Add cheese in the final minute.
- Toast the buns on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
- Assemble with chipotle spread, avocado, chicken, ham, tomato, and lettuce. Serve warm.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before assembling so it stays juicy.
- Prepare the chipotle spread a day in advance for deeper flavor.
- Grilling the avocado gives it a richer taste and helps it hold its shape.
- Use a digital fork thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked perfectly without guesswork.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.