Buffalo wings have long held a place in the pantheon of all-time great game day foods. Spicy, tangy, buttery and unapologetically messy, they’ve become synonymous with football parties and casual bar food. But let’s be honest—while delicious, wings aren’t exactly the easiest or cleanest thing to eat. Enter the Buffalo Chicken Burger: all the bold, crave-worthy flavor of traditional Buffalo wings, packed into a juicy, handheld creation that’s a little neater, a little lighter, and a whole lot more weekday dinner-friendly.
The idea for this recipe was born out of a craving for something spicy and satisfying that didn’t require 20 napkins and a mountain of celery. I wanted something healthier but still indulgent—a meal that had the flavor punch of Buffalo wings without requiring a fry station or a deep dive into calorie overload. Using lean ground chicken as a base was the first step. It’s a great protein-packed alternative to beef that absorbs flavor wonderfully. The mixture is fortified with cayenne pepper and hot sauce (like the classic Frank’s Red Hot) for that signature kick. A quick rest in the fridge before forming the burgers allows those bold flavors to really penetrate the meat.
Another inspiration behind the recipe was to offer a no-compromise healthy alternative—one that didn’t feel like a “diet meal” in disguise. Instead of slathering on fatty blue cheese dressing, I leaned into a tangy homemade version using Greek yogurt, which gives you the richness you expect but with added protein and a fraction of the fat. The tang of the yogurt pairs beautifully with crumbled blue cheese, delivering the same pungent, creamy flavor that buffalo wings demand, only in a much lighter form. The dressing even doubles as a delicious condiment for a crisp side salad – a double win.
When it comes to toppings, I stick with the classics. Crunchy romaine, a thick slice of ripe tomato, and sharp white onion all offer a refreshing balance to the heat and tang. And if you feel tempted to reach for the ketchup or mustard – hold off! These burgers are all about celebrating that unmistakable Buffalo flavor, and the homemade blue cheese dressing is more than enough sauce for the job. It’s the perfect marriage of spicy, cool, crunchy, and savory.
Lastly, these burgers are grill-friendly, skillet-ready, and 100% customizable. They’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough to serve up to guests with a side of sweet potato fries or coleslaw. And because the blue cheese dressing can be made ahead, it’s a great prep-friendly meal you’ll come back to again and again.
Whether you’re hosting friends for a game-day party, planning a summer BBQ, or just trying to spice up your dinner routine, these Buffalo Chicken Burgers are ready to bring some serious flavor without any of the fuss. So the next time that craving hits, grab your hot sauce and lettuce – because wings just got a major burger-style upgrade.
The Best Buffalo Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
TO MAKE THE CHICKEN PATTIES:
1 pound ground chicken (minced chicken) - lean- ⅓ cup hot sauce - I used Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch salt - to taste
- 1 pinch ground black pepper - to taste
BURGER TOPPINGS:
- 1 small head Romaine lettuce
- 1 large tomato
- 1 large white onion
TO MAKE THE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ounces blue cheese - crumbled
Instructions
- Combine the first four ingredients of the chicken patties and mix well. The mixture will be pretty wet, so after you mix well, cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to let the flavor really sink into the chicken.
- Remove from the fridge and form patties. One pound of chicken should form 4 good sized burgers. I highly suggest grilling the burgers, but a grill pan or plain old skillet will work perfectly fine. Grill over medium-high heat about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Combine yogurt and blue cheese. Season with salt and pepper if desired. It can be made 1-2 days ahead and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- To build these burgers, you need all the essentials: crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and crunchy, spicy onions. BUT leave the ketchup and mustard in the fridge for these burgers. All you need is your homemade blue cheese dressing.
- Now combine 1 cup of Greek yogurt with 8-10 ounces of crumbled blue cheese. Stir. You can, and in my opinion, should make the dressing a day or two in advance because the longer it sits, the more the blue cheese flavor will infuse into the Greek yogurt. I am telling you you won’t be able to tell the difference between this and the chunky calorie-laden stuff you get alongside your plate of buffalo wings with the required 3 celery sticks and 4 carrots. So heap it on, and don’t feel bad about it. I didn’t!
- Smear a bunch of dressing on both sides of your toasted bun. Get after it, people. You won’t regret it.
- Pile on your burger and toppings. Bonus: your blue cheese dressing serves double duty as topping for your side salad. It’s not too much. Trust me. Dig in and enjoy!
