Introduction

These Mustard Chicken Apple Burgers offer a delightful combination of savory bacon, tender chicken, and sweet apple flavors. Topped with melty cheese and a tangy mustard-maple sauce, they make a fresh twist on classic burgers perfect for any season.

A close-up of a grilled chicken burger on a soft, golden brown bun, sitting on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is green leafy lettuce with some mustard sauce dripping slightly on the edges. Above the lettuce is a thick, well-grilled chicken patty with visible char marks. On top of the patty lies a slice of melted orange cheddar cheese, followed by two thick slices of purple onion. The top bun gently rests on the onions, completing the stack. In the blurry background, some extra raw onion rings are placed on a white plate, and a metal cup holds sauce. Behind everything, a tall glass filled with ice and a light drink is visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

5 slices bacon, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup apple juice
1 apple, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1 cup panko bread crumbs
2 pounds ground chicken
6 slices Monterey Jack cheese (or cheddar, smoked gruyere, etc.)
6 brioche buns
Lettuce
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Instructions

Step 1: To make the sauce, mix the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and mayonnaise in a bowl. Set aside in the fridge while preparing the burgers.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels, reserving 1 teaspoon of the bacon grease in the skillet.
Step 3: Return the skillet with grease to medium heat. Add the minced red onion, garlic, salt, and pepper, cooking until tender, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Pour in the apple juice slowly to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer until the liquid evaporates.
Step 5: Stir in the cooked bacon, chopped apple, parsley, and dried sage. Cook until the apple softens slightly, then remove from heat to cool.
Step 6: In a large bowl, gently mix the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, and the cooled apple mixture. Form into 6 patties (or 4 larger ones). Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 7: Chill the patties in the fridge for up to 30 minutes to help them hold together while cooking.
Step 8: Grill the patties over medium heat, starting with the salted side down, for 6–7 minutes. Season the other side, flip, and grill for another 6–8 minutes until fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F). Add cheese slices on top during the last minute to melt.
Step 9: Quickly grill the brioche buns. Spread the mustard-maple sauce on the bottom halves, then assemble the burgers with lettuce, sliced red onion, and your cooked chicken patties.
Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and savory in these flavorful chicken apple burgers.

Tips & Variations

Use smoked gruyere or sharp cheddar cheese for a more intense flavor.
Try adding a slice of crispy fried apple for extra texture inside the burger.
Swap ground chicken for ground turkey if preferred, keeping the same cooking time.
If you don’t have apple juice, substitute with chicken broth or white grape juice for a subtle variation.

Storage

Store cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Keep buns separate to avoid sogginess. The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.

How to Serve

A chicken burger with a golden brown soft bun on top, beneath it are two rings of purple onion sitting on a slice of melted orange cheddar cheese. Below the cheese is a thick, grilled chicken patty with a slightly charred texture and light brown color. At the bottom, under the patty, is a fresh green leaf of lettuce, resting on the bottom bun, which is light brown and fluffy. The burger sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface, with blurred apple slices and a metal cup of sauce in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these burgers ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the burger patties and sauce a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated before cooking and assembling.

What if I don’t have a grill?

These burgers can be cooked on a stovetop griddle or in a skillet over medium heat. Just make sure to cook evenly and check the internal temperature.

Mustard Chicken Apple Burgers Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 80 reviews

These Mustard Chicken Apple Burgers combine juicy ground chicken with the sweet crunch of apples and smoky bacon, topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and a tangy Dijon maple sauce on toasted brioche buns. Perfect for a flavorful twist on classic burgers that are both savory and slightly sweet.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 burgers 1x
Category: Grilling
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce

1/2 Cup Dijon Mustard
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise

For the Burgers

5 Slices Bacon, chopped
1/4 Cup Red Onion, minced
3 Cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1/4 Cup Apple Juice
1 Apple, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
2 Tablespoons Parsley, fresh minced
1/2 teaspoon Dried Sage
1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
2 Pounds Ground Chicken
6 Slices Monterey Jack Cheese (or cheddar, smoked gruyere)
6 Brioche Buns
Lettuce, for serving
1/2 Red Onion, sliced thin, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and mayonnaise. Mix well and set aside in the fridge to chill and meld flavors until ready to use.
Cook the Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the bacon grease in the skillet.
Sauté Aromatics: Return the skillet with the reserved bacon grease to medium heat. Add the minced red onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onion becomes tender and translucent, about 2 minutes.
Deglaze Pan: Slowly pour the apple juice into the skillet to deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until the liquid evaporates, which should take a few minutes.
Add Bacon, Apple, and Herbs: Stir in the cooked bacon, chopped apple, parsley, and dried sage. Cook for several minutes until the apple softens slightly. Remove the mixture to a bowl and let cool.
Form Burger Patties: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, and the cooled apple mixture. Handle the mixture carefully to avoid overworking the meat. Shape into six medium or four large patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Chill in the fridge for up to 30 minutes.
Grill the Patties: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties on the grill, salt-side down first, and cook for 6-7 minutes. Season the other side with salt, flip, and grill an additional 6-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Place slices of cheese on top during the last couple of minutes to melt.
Toast the Buns and Assemble: Quickly grill the brioche buns until lightly toasted. Spread the prepared mustard maple sauce on the bottom buns. Add the chicken apple burger patties, lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh ground chicken and fresh apples.
To make the burgers ahead, form patties and refrigerate up to 24 hours, then grill when ready.
Cheese options such as cheddar or smoked gruyere work great as alternatives to Monterey Jack.
If you prefer, cook the burgers indoors on a grill pan or skillet instead of the grill.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt, depending on bacon saltiness.

Keywords: chicken apple burgers, mustard chicken burgers, grilled chicken burgers, apple burgers, fall recipes, bacon chicken burgers, juicy chicken patties