How to make juicy chicken burgers
Mariano’s has a chicken, spinach and feta burger at the meat counter and it quickly became a weekly purchase. However, they have not been available at my store for a while, so I decided to make my Weight Watchers friendly version. Be sure to follow my blog to stay in the loop with my Weight Watchers recipes!
The secret to the juiciest chicken burger ever? Just 5 grams of salted butter tucked inside. It melts as it cooks and totally changes the game. Trust me on this one.
When it comes to cooking with lean meats like ground chicken or turkey, a common complaint is that they can turn out dry or bland. These proteins are naturally low in fat, which makes them great options if you’re watching your calories or WW points—but it also means they lack the moisture and richness that fat typically brings. The good news? You don’t need to go full butter-bath to fix it. Just a small amount of fat—like a pat of salted butter or even a bit of olive oil—mixed right into the meat or added during cooking can totally transform the flavor and texture. That little bit of fat acts as insurance, keeping the meat juicy and helping it brown better for more flavor.
In fact, one of my favorite tricks for making juicy chicken burgers is to tuck just 5 grams of salted butter between two small patties and seal the edges before cooking. As it melts, it bastes the inside of the burger from within—game changer! It’s a perfect example of how a modest addition of fat can bring lean meat to life, making it taste indulgent without undoing your health goals. So the next time your chicken or turkey burger turns out dry, don’t give up—just give it a little help. 😉
Juicy Chicken Burgers
This is my recreation of the chicken spinach feta burgers from Mariano's. The secret to juicy chicken or turkey burgers is a mere 5 grams of butter in the middle of the patty. Juicy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken (92/8)
- 1 cup chopped baby spinach
- 4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 20 grams salted butter, divided (5g per burger)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, spinach, feta, and all the seasonings. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it.
Divide mixture into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each).
Flatten each portion into a small patty. Place 5 grams of butter in the center of 4 patties.
Top each with another patty and seal the edges well to form a single burger stuffed with buttery goodness.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook burgers for 4–5 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F. (An instant-read thermometer is your best friend here!)
Let rest a couple minutes, then serve with crispy fried potatoes or your favorite side.
✨ Bonus Tip: These reheat beautifully in a skillet the next day. Just cover with a lid to keep the moisture in while you warm them up.
Notes
As of the date of this publication, each burger is 3 Weight Watcher points. If you count calories or macros, each on eis 283 calories, 19 fat, 0 carbs, 1 fiber and 30 grams of protein.
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If you are new here, welcome to My Bizzy Kitchen! I started this blog 16 years ago to document my recipes and daily life, never imagining it would one day become my full-time career. After losing my husband nearly 10 years ago, I navigated the hardest chapter of my life while still finding joy in cooking and sharing my journey.
In December 2020, I took a leap of faith and left my 30-year career as a legal secretary to pursue My Bizzy Kitchen full-time—a decision that changed my life.
Two years later, in October 2022, I was able to hire my daughter, Hannah, full-time, which brings me so much joy. Now, My Bizzy Kitchen is more than just recipes—it’s about embracing life, finding balance, and making healthy living sustainable and fun.
Follow along for delicious recipes (mostly Weight Watchers friendly!), realistic weight loss tips, and my daily adventures on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook (@mybizzykitchen). Let’s get bizzy in the kitchen together!
Looking for more Weight Watchers inspiration? Check out my chicken recipes!
