Grilled Chicken Big Mac Burger

This Grilled Chicken Big Mac Burger is a homemade take on a fast food favorite, with juicy ground chicken patties loaded with flavor, topped with melty American cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and of course, the iconic Big Mac sauce! It’s all the Big Mac vibes you love but with a lighter, fresher twist.

The classic Big Mac has always been one of my guilty pleasures, but after trying the new McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac, I was hooked. I loved it! Instead of the fried, battered chicken patties they use, I decided to switch things up and lighten the load with juicy ground chicken patties. They’re easy to grill or pan-sear, giving you all the flavor without the extra grease.

I know that ground chicken might seem basic, but when you mix in mayo, mustard, Worcestershire, and spices, it gets a serious flavor boost! Add the homemade Big Mac sauce—just the right balance of tang and creamy—and you’ve got something that hits all the right notes.

Plus, a homemade grilled chicken burger is practical. These double decker burgers are quick to throw together, easy to cook, and perfect for a casual hangout, game day, or whenever you want that Big Mac vibe without hitting the drive-thru. Try these same flavors when you’re also smashing up Smash Burger Tacos!

Key Ingredients

• Ground chicken — Use a ground chicken with a little bit of fat in it! If you use a very lean ground chicken, I recommend adding some breadcrumbs to the mix to help bind the mixture and prevent the patties from breaking apart.
• Mayo & mustard — The combo of mayonnaise and mustard adds moisture and a slightly tangy flavor.
• Spices — You’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt to season the chicken patties up!
• American cheese — I like to use classic American cheese, but you can use your preferred sliced cheese.
• Buns — You need a few extra bottom buns for that classic bun layer in the middle!
• Big Mac sauce — It goes without saying, you can’t have a copycat McDonald’s chicken big mac without the classic sauce!

Substitutions or Variations for Flavor

• Meat: Try turkey instead of chicken for a different lean protein option. Or, opt for ground beef for a classic Big Mac with beef patties.
• Add parmesan: Try adding grated parmesan cheese into the ground chicken mixture to also help bind the mixture and add some additional salt and umami to the flavor.
• Want more heat? Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the burger mix or sauce.
• Switch up the cheese: Use cheddar or pepper jack if you’re not into American cheese.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Big Mac Burgers

1. Prepare the burgers. Mix together the ground chicken, breadcrumbs (see notes), mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, and paprika. Moisten hands with water and shape the chicken into 4 patties.
2. Rest the burgers in the fridge. Place the burgers on parchment paper and place them on a baking sheet in the fridge to rest for about 15-20 minutes. This step allows them to firm up and keep their shape.
3. Prepare the burger sauce. Mix the ingredients together, tasting and adjusting as needed.

4. Sear the burgers. Heat up the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the burgers in the hot oil and allow them to cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side. The internal temperature should be just about 160-165°F when finished.
5. Assemble the Chicken Big Mac with sauce, lettuce, cheese, burger, bun, sauce, lettuce, pickles, burger, and the final bun!

Top Tips

• Avoid overworking the raw meat! You want to mix everything well to combine the spices evenly, however, you want to avoid overworking the meat as it may become tough.
• Don’t skip the fridge time for the patties. It helps them firm up and hold together on the grill or in the pan!
• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (160-165°F)—you don’t want to overcook these, since they are quite lean.

Pairing, Side Dishes & Complimentary Recipes

Of course, to make it a full experience, you can serve your chicken Big Mac with a side of fries and your favorite soda! To add an additional punch of flavor, layer on some quick pickled jalapeños, too.

Personally, I like to switch things up a bit and serve my grilled chicken Big Mac burger with some of my favorite side dishes and extra dipping sauces like:

• Grilled Corn Ribs
• Sweet Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
• Grilled Zucchini Squash Skewers
• Fennel Apple Slaw
• Dill Pickle Remoulade

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes to Try

• Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich
• Smoked Smash Burgers
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
• Grilled Cheese Burgers
• Luther Burger Doughnut Burger