Description
The Smash Chicken Burger with Spicy Mayo & Bacon is a flavorful and texturally balanced homemade burger featuring crispy smashed chicken breasts, smoky bacon, creamy spicy mayonnaise, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato, all sandwiched in a soft toasted bun. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a perfect blend of crispy, juicy, spicy, and smoky elements with minimal ingredients and quick preparation, ideal for a satisfying meal any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Meat
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 strips of bacon
Spicy Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce or chili powder (adjust to taste)
Buns & Toppings
- 2 soft burger buns, lightly toasted
- 2 leaves of lettuce (iceberg or preferred)
- 4 slices of fresh tomato
Seasonings & Cooking
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil (plus optional reserved bacon grease)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch for even cooking and larger surface area. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until crisp but not burnt. Remove and drain on paper towels, reserving a little bacon grease if desired for extra flavor when cooking the chicken.
- Smash and Cook the Chicken: Heat butter or a mix of butter and reserved bacon grease in the skillet over medium-high heat. Place a chicken breast in the skillet and press firmly with a spatula until it flattens to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Mix the Spicy Mayo: While the chicken cooks, combine mayonnaise with your chosen hot sauce or chili powder. Adjust the spice level to your liking for the perfect creamy heat.
- Assemble the Burger: Lightly toast the burger buns in the skillet to enhance flavor and crunch. Spread a generous layer of spicy mayo on both bun halves, add the smashed chicken breast, top with crispy bacon, then finish with fresh lettuce leaves and tomato slices. Close the burger and serve.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure a crispy crust and tender inside.
- Use bacon grease for cooking chicken to add smoky depth.
- Avoid overloading the bun with toppings to maintain balance and ease of eating.
- Toast the buns well to add structure and prevent sogginess.
- Adjust the spiciness of the mayo gradually to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg