Smoked Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo and Pickled Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy smoked chicken burgers served with smoky chipotle mayo and tangy pickled red onions on toasted buns. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 100 minutes turns ground chicken, smoked paprika, garlic powder into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 460 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 American cuisine 460 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 medium thinly sliced red onion. Stir until sugar dissolves, then let onions pickle at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 1 lb ground chicken with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until just combined. Form into four equal patties.
  3. Step 3: Preheat smoker to 250°F and add preferred wood chips (apple or hickory). Smoke the chicken patties for 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and patties are firm.
  4. Step 4: While chicken smokes, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 1 tbsp minced chipotle in adobo sauce to create chipotle mayo.
  5. Step 5: Lightly toast 4 buns on a grill or skillet until golden.
  6. Step 6: Assemble burgers by spreading 1 tbsp chipotle mayo on each bun bottom, topping with smoked chicken patty, pickled onions (drained), and a leaf of lettuce. Cover with bun top and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo and Pickled Onions take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (40 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Smoked Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo and Pickled Onions?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo and Pickled Onions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Smoked Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo and Pickled Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Smoked Chicken Burgers with Chipotle Mayo and Pickled Onions?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes