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A chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, ham, cheese, and sauce on a brioche bun, served on a wooden board with a plate of buns and sauce in the background.

Grilled California Chicken Burger

Chef Jenn
 This Grilled California Chicken Burger is piled high with juicy chicken, smoky ham, grilled avocado, melty cheese, and chipotle mayo. A bold and satisfying burger that’s perfect for summer grilling!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Californian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 771 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Burgers:

  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 2 chicken breasts tenderloins removed
  • 4 leaves green leaf lettuce washed or shredded
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 tomato thickly sliced
  • 4 slices deli smoked ham sliced
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 slices Jack cheese

Burger Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
  • ½ tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ tablespoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

Chipotle Mayo:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 2 teaspoon honey
  • 1½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 small garlic clove finely minced

Instructions
 

  • Mix all chipotle mayo ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  • Stir together the burger seasoning in a prep bowl.
  • Slice chicken breasts horizontally and brush with 2 tablespoons of oil. Rub seasoning all over both sides.
  • Slice the avocado into ½ cm-thick pieces and brush with the remaining 1 tbsp oil.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill avocado slices for 3–5 minutes per side until grill-marked. Grill ham slices for 1 minute per side.
  • Lower grill to medium. Grill chicken breasts for 5–6 minutes per side until internal temp reaches 165°F. Top the chicken with the cheese slices during the last minute of cooking. Remove and rest.
  • Toast buns on grill for 2 minutes until golden.
  • Assemble burgers: Spread 2 tbsp chipotle mayo on each bun. Layer avocado, chicken, ham, tomato, lettuce, and top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • A grill-safe thermometer fork makes it easy to check temps without constantly poking the meat.
  • Grilled avocado adds a smoky, buttery richness; don’t skip it!
  • Prep your chipotle mayo up to 3 days in advance for even better flavor.
  • Resting the chicken after grilling keeps it juicy and helps the cheese settle in.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 771kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 41gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 21gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 2716mgPotassium: 965mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1993IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 324mgIron: 4mg

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.

Keyword California burger, chipotle mayo burger, grilled chicken sandwich, summer grilling
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