Chicken Burger Recipe

Interestingly, chicken burgers are not as popular a fast-food option as regular hamburgers. When someone chooses a chicken-based fast food meal, they usually go for crispy chicken, chicken wings, or similar options rather than a chicken burger. In fact, the taste of a chicken burger and a regular hamburger from a fast-food chain is not that different. That’s because what gives those burgers their flavor is not the chicken or the beef itself, but rather the dominant taste of ketchup and mayonnaise. So, no matter what you put inside, it will still be edible. From an economic perspective, paying extra for a hamburger instead of a chicken burger doesn't make much sense.

On the other hand, when both are made at home, things change drastically. If you use high-quality, flavorful ingredients, you can actually taste them, which makes the choice between chicken or beef much more important.

Many people do not consciously focus on the taste of what they eat, especially when it's something they frequently consume outside. They eat out of habit rather than for the actual flavor. The happiness they experience while eating doesn’t necessarily come from the food being delicious, but from the comfort of familiarity.

How Are Eating Habits Formed?

When the brain engages in familiar tasks, it does not anticipate danger, allowing the mind to go on autopilot and focus on other things. This is why we often don’t analyze what we’re doing while performing routine tasks. Our minds tend to wander while we do things automatically (which we often refer to as “clearing our heads”).

For example, when cooking, we sometimes can't remember whether we’ve added salt or not. That’s because we add salt out of habit without thinking (while our minds are occupied elsewhere), and we don’t even register the action in our memory. Five minutes later, just as we’re about to take the dish off the stove, we suddenly wonder, “Did I add salt?” On the other hand, when we try driving a car for the first time, it's impossible to think about anything else—we are fully focused on the task.

That’s why you still see older adults in line at fast-food burger chains. They don’t go there because they love the burgers; they go because they feel comfortable there. You’ve probably heard the saying: “Introduce all foods to babies before they turn two.” This method takes advantage of how human memory works. As children grow, when they eat a familiar food, they find comfort in that familiarity, making it easier for them to enjoy even things they wouldn’t typically like.

For instance, I am not a fan of organ meats, but I do like brain. Why? Because my grandmother used to feed me brain frequently when I was little, believing it would make me smarter. It’s fascinating—I enjoy eating it, yet I am still surprised at myself every time I do.

Don’t keep children away from foods by assuming they won’t like them. Kids are still discovering the world. Something they refuse today might become their favorite food tomorrow. Don’t let your own prejudices dictate their palate.

Things to Consider When Making a Chicken Burger

The most important part is, without a doubt, the cooking process. If you fry the patties over high heat, the breaded coating will brown quickly while the inside remains undercooked. So, keep the heat at a medium-low level. Adjust it as needed—turn it up if necessary, or lower it if required. After browning both sides, you can flip them again and cook a little longer to ensure they’re fully done.

Enjoy the recipe!

Bon Appetit...