Chicken burgers just got a serious upgrade—say hello to the Smashed Chicken Burgers with Harissa Tahini, a 2025 food trend that’s exploding on social feeds and in real-life kitchens. Forget dry patties and bland toppings—these burgers are juicy, fiery, and dripping with smoky, creamy flavor.
What makes these burgers so special is the smash technique. Similar to a smash burger but made with ground chicken, these patties get crispy edges and stay moist in the center. But the real game-changer? A spicy harissa tahini sauce that blends nutty richness with smoky heat—layered on toasted buns, it turns every bite into something next-level.
Perfect for summer grilling, weeknight dinners, or whenever you need a burger that brings the flavor.
Ingredients:
For the burgers:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or butter (for cooking)
- 4 brioche or burger buns
- Grilled plum tomatoes or lettuce, for topping
For the harissa tahini sauce:
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 tbsp harissa paste (more or less to taste)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water (to thin)
- Salt, to taste
Directions:
- Mix ground chicken with paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Divide into 4 balls.
- Heat oil in a skillet or griddle. Place each chicken ball on the hot surface and smash flat with a spatula. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Whisk all harissa tahini sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Add water to reach a pourable consistency.
- Toast buns lightly.
- Assemble burgers: spread sauce on buns, add chicken patty, grilled plum tomatoes or lettuce, and top with more sauce.
These burgers are juicy, spicy, and satisfying—with the kind of sauce you’ll want to put on everything. Once you try them, you may never go back to plain beef.