The Best Homemade Hot Chili Chicken Burgers Recipe – Crispy & Flavor-Packed

When it comes to comfort food with a spicy kick, Hot Chili Chicken Burgers are the ultimate indulgence. Crispy, juicy chicken coated in fiery spices, paired with soft nacho-infused buns, creates a burger that’s bold, flavorful, and unforgettable. If you love a little heat in your meals, this recipe is sure to become one of your favorites.

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What is Hot Chili Chicken Burgers?

Hot Chili Chicken Burgers are a creative twist on the classic chicken burger. Unlike the traditional version, these burgers pack an extra punch with chili sauce, cayenne pepper, and nacho chips incorporated into both the buns and the crispy chicken coating. The result is a spicy, crunchy, and satisfying burger that combines bold flavors with a unique homemade touch.

Why You’ll Love It?

🌶️ Spicy & Flavorful – Perfect for chili lovers who want heat in every bite.
🍗 Juicy Chicken – Tender inside, crispy outside.
🥯 Homemade Buns – Infused with chili sauce and nacho chips for extra crunch.
🍔 Restaurant-Quality at Home – Skip the takeout; make a gourmet burger in your own kitchen.
🎉 Perfect for Parties – A crowd-pleasing recipe that will impress family and friends.

Tips for the BEST Chicken Burgers

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to let the spices penetrate.
Grind the nacho chips finely – this makes the coating extra crispy.
Don’t skip the dough rising times – it ensures soft, fluffy buns.
Use a food thermometer – keep oil at 175°C (350°F) for perfect frying.
Balance the heat – serve with cooling sauces like ranch or garlic mayo.

Serving Suggestions

Add lettuce, tomato, and pickles for freshness.
Spread with garlic mayo or spicy aioli for extra flavor.
Serve with crispy fries, sweet potato wedges, or onion rings.
Pair with a cold soda, iced tea for the ultimate meal.

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Ingredients

(Yield: 12 burgers)

DOUGH:

250 ml warm milk or water (105°F to 110°F)
7g instant yeast (1 tablespoon)
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
30g hot chili sauce
475g all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, divided
8g salt (1⅓ teaspoon)
40g nacho chips (finely ground)
40g unsalted butter
3 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon milk

CHICKEN MIXTURE:

2 chicken breasts or 650g boneless thighs, sliced into cutlets
3 g salt (½ teaspoon)
3 g cayenne pepper (1 teaspoon)
4 g onion powder (1⅓ teaspoon)
2 g black pepper (⅔ teaspoon)
25 g hot chili sauce

FLOUR MIX:

75 g all-purpose flour
1 g salt (⅙ teaspoon)
2 g black pepper (⅔ teaspoon)
3 g onion powder (1 teaspoon)

COATING:

2 eggs
160 g nacho chips

How to Make Hot Chili Chicken Burgers

Prepare the Nacho Chips
- Grind 200 g nacho chips finely. Set aside 40 g for the dough.
Make the Dough
- In a bowl, combine warm milk or water, yeast, and hot chili sauce. Let rest 5 minutes.
- Add beaten egg, flour, salt, ground nacho chips, and butter. Knead 10–12 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.
Marinate the Chicken
- Place chicken pieces in a bowl. Add salt, cayenne, onion powder, black pepper, and chili sauce. Mix well and let marinate.
Prepare the Coating
- Mix flour, salt, black pepper, and onion powder in one bowl.
- Beat 2 eggs in another bowl.
- Coat chicken first in flour mix, then egg, then nacho chips. Place on parchment-lined tray.
Shape the Buns
- Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal pieces (about 80–85 g each).
- Shape each into a smooth ball and arrange on a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving space to expand.
- Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
Cook the Buns
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Beat the remaining 1 egg with 1 Tbsp milk.
- Brush over the buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds or the finely ground nacho chips .
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until golden brown and slightly firm on top.
Bake the Chicken
- Option 1 – Frying (crispy & golden): Heat a shallow layer of sunflower oil (about 2 cm) in a frying pan over medium heat (175°C / 350°F). Fry the chicken pieces on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Option 2 – Baking (lighter & healthier): Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Bake chicken for 25–30 minutes.
Assemble the Burgers
- Open buns, add sauce, lettuce, and baked chicken. Serve hot!

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Make Ahead & Storage Tips

Buns – Can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for 2 days or frozen for 1 month.
Chicken – Marinate overnight for deeper flavor. Cooked chicken can be refrigerated for 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat buns in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes. Warm chicken in the oven for a crispy texture.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 465
Protein: 24g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Carbohydrate: 49g
Cholesterol: 115mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 4g
Sodium: 690mg
Potassium: 420mg
Calcium: 55mg
Iron: 3mg

Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Final Thoughts

These Hot Chili Chicken Burgers are a fiery twist on a classic comfort food. With spicy marinated chicken, nacho-crusted coating, and homemade buns infused with chili flavor, every bite is bold, crispy, and delicious. Perfect for game nights, summer BBQs, or simply when you crave a restaurant-quality burger at home.
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