BBQ Chicken Burgers with Pickled Onions and Mayo
Juicy chicken burgers brushed with BBQ sauce and piled high with pickled red onions, lettuce and creamy mayo.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Homemade BBQ sauce and Homemade mayonnaise. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.34 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the chicken mince with the smoked paprika, garlic granules, a good pinch of salt and 2 tbsp of your ready made BBQ sauce (see the base recipe). Mix well and shape into 4 patties about 2 cm thick.
- 2
Press a small dimple in the middle of each patty with your thumb so they stay flat when they cook. Chill for 10 minutes if you have time.
10 min - 3
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the patties for 6 minutes on one side. Turn and cook for 5 to 6 minutes more, until golden and cooked through, with no pink inside.
11 min 30 s - 4
Brush the patties with the remaining BBQ sauce for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
2 min - 5
Toast the buns cut side down in a dry pan for 1 minute.
- 6
Spread the bun bases with your ready made mayonnaise (see the base recipe). Add lettuce, tomato, a patty and the pickled red onions, then the bun top.
Tips
- Chicken mince is lean, so do not overwork it. Mix gently so the burgers stay tender.
- Always cook chicken burgers all the way through. Cut one open to check there is no pink and the juices run clear.
- Swap the buns for gluten free ones if needed. Check the label of the mayo is not needed here, as the homemade one is gluten free.
Storing and freezing
Cooked patties keep 2 days in the fridge, cooled within 2 hours. Freeze raw patties for up to 3 months and cook from frozen for 20 minutes, turning, until cooked through.
Questions
Can I use chicken breast mince?
Yes, but breast mince is drier. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil or a grated courgette to the mix to keep the burgers juicy.
Can I bake the burgers?
Yes. Bake on a lined tray at 200C for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, brushing with the BBQ sauce at the end.
Does homemade mayonnaise contain egg?
Yes, it is made with raw egg yolk, so keep it chilled and use it within the time in the base recipe. Use vegan mayonnaise if you need egg free.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Papas con Mole y Ejotes (Potatoes and Green Beans in Red Mole)
DFEFNFTikka Chicken Burgers with Pickled Red Onions
NFHPEnsalada de Garbanzos y Aguacate con Cebolla Encurtida (Mexican Chickpea Salad)
VGVDFSalpicón de Pollo (Cold Shredded Chicken Salad on Tostadas)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
