Here’s how to create a healthier version of the classic crunchy buffalo chicken burger/sandwich. This version uses oats instead of breadcrumbs, an avocado-lime spread instead of mayo, and an air-fried patty for all the crunch minus the guilt!
Dreaming of a crunchy, spicy and bursting-with-flavour chicken burger without compromising your bikini figure? Look no further! This healthier Buffalo Chicken Burger will become your new favourite. Using oats as breadcrumbs, eliminating the mayonnaise and replacing it with a basil, lime and avocado spread and eliminating all that extra oil from deep-frying will make this burger lighter.
Chicken Burger or Sandwich?
Let’s start with a fun fact: Naming a breaded chicken breast on a bun causes a global stir. In the United States, it’s almost always a chicken sandwich, as “burger” implies ground meat. However, in the UK, Canada, Australia, and much of Europe, it’s widely considered a chicken burger simply because it’s served on a burger bun, regardless of whether the chicken is a whole fillet or a patty. This difference often leads to good-natured confusion across borders.
Oats instead of breadcrumbs
Using oats instead of breadcrumbs makes this Buffalo Chicken Burger/sandwich as crunchy as the classic version. It also provides many more healthy fibres and fewer calories, making it an excellent replacement for breadcrumbs. You can use rolled or quick oats and slightly blend them up, not into a powder, preferably, to give this extra crunchy effect. To help give it even more crunch, I’ve double-coated the breading with an egg bath in between; this way, you get an ultra-crisp patty!
Air Frying instead of Deep Frying
This step helps to cut the calories by 70 to 80%; cooking with an Air fryer will make the patties ultra crunchy and eliminate all the adverse effects of deep-frying. If you want to know more about the health benefits of air frying, I invite you to check this link out! Also, it is possible to bake the patties in the oven; the air fryer does the job slightly faster. However, if you intend to make a bunch of patties, you’d better use the stove.
Avocado instead of Mayo
Using an avocado spread instead of heavy oil mayonnaise is a great idea! Did you know that avocado contains only half the calories and fat of mayonnaise? On top of that, it doesn’t contain any cholesterol, which makes this alternative a much healthier and, in my opinion, yummier spread! A simple, quick blending of avocado with lemon and a few basil leaves will bring the burger creaminess and extra freshness.
Method for Round Patties
This recipe uses chicken breasts; however, to make them round like a proper burger patty, I used a simple string to keep their form while cooking. This way, the chicken is evenly cooked, and each bite of the burger gets some meat, and no bits will stick out of your burger. You can use a whole chicken breast per burger, but I would rather cut it in half. Do so after cooking it to keep its form.
Franks’ Red Hot Sauce
Everyone now knows the secret of a delicious Buffalo Sauce: the fantastic Frank’s Red Hot Sauce! It’s mainly made of distilled vinegar and aged cayenne red peppers, and surprisingly, the traditional sauce is not that hot, measuring only 450 SHUs on the Scoville scale. There are also some ultra-hot versions which can reach 2000 SHUs. However, for this recipe, I’ve kept it to the lower level, although you can make it deadly hot too, using the hotter variation. If you don’t find this brand in your supermarket, you can find it online easily or use another Buffalo-style sauce. In this case, cut on the added olive oil.
Toppings
A no-fuzz topping of crunchy lettuce, tomato, and that’s it! But these toppings are up to you; here are a few ideas:
- Slice of cheese
- Finely sliced or pickled onions
- Dill pickles
- Coleslaw (creamy or vinaigrette style)
Other Burgers Recipe
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Burger
Ingredients
- 2 burger buns
Chicken Patties
- 1 chicken breast
- 90 g quick oats (or rolled oats)
- 1 egg
- 50 ml Frank's RedHot Sauce
- 30 ml olive oil
- salt and pepper
Avocado Spread
- 1/2 avocado
- 3 basil leaves
- 1/3 lemon
- salt
Toppings
- lettuce
- tomato slice
Instructions
- Start by passing the oats in a food processor, lightly, not until they turn into powder.
- Add salt to the chicken breast and cover with a first layer of ground oats.
- Beat an egg in a bowl, dip the chicken breast in it, and cover once more in the oat mixture.
- Make the chicken round with the help of a string.
- Air fry or bake in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes (AF), or 20 minutes in the oven.
- During that time, prepare the avocado spread by blending the avocado, lemon juice, fresh basil, and salt in a food processor.
- Once the chicken breast is cooked, remove the string and cut it to make two patties.
- Mix the olive oil and Frank's RedHot Sauce in a bowl and toss the cooked chicken until covered.
- Toast your burger buns lightly in the air fryer for a minute, and assemble your burger with extra crunchy lettuce and tomato.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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8 Comments
This buffalo chicken burger will be hit with my hubby! I’ve pinned it for later and hope to make it for dinner this weekend! I love the idea of an avocado spread as a healthier option. Thanks for sharing!
I’m confident he’ll love it! Enjoy!
This buffalo chicken burger hits the spot with all the flavor, minus the guilt. It’s the perfect choice when you’re craving something spicy and satisfying without feeling too heavy.
The oat coating makes the patty so crunchy you’ll love it!
This was amazing! The entire family loved this recipe. I can’t wait to make it again. YUM!!!
Glad it was a hit with your family!
Burgers are always a treat. My husband loves them. He especially liked your chicken version as it’s a bit different and he loves hot sauce too.
Glad the husband approved!