Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers {Paleo & Whole30}

These Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers are loaded with your favorite flavors and perfect on a grilled sweet potato bun!  Topped with chipotle ranch sauce, avocado and sprouts for a delicious, fun, and healthy burger that might become your new favorite!  Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, dairy-free.

Did you know I had no idea ground chicken even existed before going paleo?  Weird, because ground turkey was a regular item in my fridge, yet I never thought to look for ground chicken let alone make a burger with it.

In fact, it wasn’t until I decided to try making my own chicken apple sausage patties that I really started to experiment with ground chicken.  And you know what?!  I LOVE it.  Not just me, my whole family loves chicken sausage patties and burgers WAY more than ground turkey.   It might be the fact that I buy the ground thighs usually, but, even when I get a leaner version we all agree it can do no wrong – especially with the right seasonings.

A crispy-on-the-outside grilled sweet potato bun certainly doesn’t hurt either.  Have you tried out sweet potato buns with your burgers?  I am definitely on team bottom-bun-only (if that is in fact, a “team”) and that goes for regular, non-paleo burger buns too.  Maybe it had something to do with growing up with a mom who always removed the top bun and ate her cheeseburgers with a knife and fork.  I say, there’s no better way to do it, paleo or not!

So yes, we grilled some thick slices of sweet potato for our bottom buns, and then top it with a chipotle ranch seasoned chicken burger.   In truth, the recipe as written is too spicy for my younger two kids but perfect for Adam and I and my oldest. When I make these for the littles, I only add a dash of chipotle powder and no hot sauce.  You can also go wild and add more spicy-spices, the recipe is very easy to suit your individual preference.

And, let’s NOT forget about the chipotle ranch sauce that tops off these juicy, flavor packed chicken burgers!  The sauce is nearly identical (or maybe completely identical?) to the one posted with my baked fries, and it’s a favorite for me for so many dishes.  For the burgers, I think the chipotle ranch sauce pairs really well with avocado and greens.  I used sprouts since they looked pretty, but use whatever you like, you cannot go wrong!

This is a super quick dinner (as in 25 minutes, tops) perfect for grilling season that can easily be doubled as needed and the patties saved and reheated.  You can even freeze the uncooked patties wrapped in plastic, and then thaw in the fridge the day you want to cook them.   And, one note, you don’t have to grill these – you can use a cast iron pan with the exact same result.  Year round tastiness!  Are you guys ready to EAT these?!  Let’s cook!

Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers {Paleo & Whole30}

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Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers {Paleo & Whole30}

These Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers are loaded with your favorite flavors and perfect on a grilled sweet potato bun! Topped with chipotle ranch sauce, avocado and sprouts for a delicious, fun, and healthy burger that might become your new favorite! Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, dairy-free.

Course Lunch/Dinner

Cuisine Paleo, Whole30

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 398 kcal

Author Michele

Ingredients

For the Burgers and Sweet Potato Buns:

• 4 slices sweet potato from a wide sweet potato slices about 1/2 inch thick
• 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil to coat potatoes plus sea salt and pepper
• 1 lb ground chicken thighs preferable, not too lean
• 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chile powder omit for less spice
• 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder OR 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• a few drops of hot sauce or as per preference
• oil to brush on grill
• Slices avocado and greens or sprouts to serve

For the Chipotle Ranch Sauce/Topping

• 1/2 cup homemade mayo or purchased paleo mayo
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chile powder
• 1 tsp fresh lemon or lime juice
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried chives optional
• salt to taste if desired

Instructions

First, make the chipotle ranch sauce:

1. Whisk together all ingredients and either chill in the fridge if making ahead of time, or set aside until ready to use.

To grill the sweet potato buns:

1. Coat the sweet potato slices well with oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and and brush grill with oil.*
2. Preheat grill to medium and grill sweet potatoes about 5 minutes on each side while grill is covered, or until they are browned on the outside and fork tender. Adjust the heat if they begin to brown too much.

For the chicken burgers:

1. Combine the ground chicken and seasonings (for the burgers) in a bowl and form into 4 patties. Brush the grill well with oil and heat to med/hi heat. Place the patties on the grill and cook 3-5 minutes on each side, until juices run clear and outside is crisp and browned.
2. Serve each patty over a sweet potato bun and top with sliced avocado, sprouts or greens, chopped chives or green onions, the chipotle ranch sauce and extra hot sauce if desired. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*You can also make both the sweet potatoes and burgers in a large cast iron skillet following the exact same instructions.

Nutrition Facts

Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers {Paleo & Whole30}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 398 Calories from Fat 297

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 33g 51%

Saturated Fat 8g 40%

Cholesterol 109mg 36%

Sodium 555mg 23%

Potassium 640mg 18%

Total Carbohydrates 3g 1%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 0g

Protein 20g 40%

Vitamin A 31.7%

Vitamin C 10.3%

Calcium 1.7%

Iron 9.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What I Used to Make My Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burgers:

Want more Paleo grilling recipes?  Try one of these!

Grilled Pineapple Chicken

Marinated Flank Steak

Grilled Chicken BLT Salad with Peppercorn Ranch

Lamb Burgers with Dairy-Free Tzatziki 

Tell me!

Is everything better in burger form or is it just me?

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