Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers (Whole30, Paleo, AIP)
These paleo spinach avocado chicken burgers are the ultimate healthy burger. They’re packed with healthy fats, protein, and even hidden veggies. Make them on a weeknight, or serve them at a backyard cookout. They’re paleo, Whole30, and AIP!
Whether you’re on a Whole30, eating paleo, or are just living a healthier lifestyle, chicken is always such a great go-to protein. It’s easy to source, it’s filling, and it’s fairly easy to make. The only problem is that it can get a little bit boring… especially if you’re just having plain chicken breast. I’ve wasted way too many years of my life eating boneless skinless chicken breast only seasoned with salt and pepper to settle for boring chicken anymore! That’s why I’m loving these Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers!
Why you’ll love these Chicken Burger
- They’re easy to make. Simply form the burgers and grill… no fancy steps!
- They have hidden veggies. Spinach is one of the best veggies to hide in recipes, and these burgers are no different. You won’t even realize that you’re eating it!
- They’re packed with healthy fat. The avocado in the burger adds extra healthy fats, and a creamy pop of flavor.
The Ingredients for the Chicken Burgers
- Ground chicken. If you can’t find ground chicken at the butcher counter, you can also use a food processor to grind your own at home. Or, you can just use turkey!
- Avocado. You’ll use avocado in the burger, as well as for the optional avocado mayo.
- Spinach. Spinach is the perfect veggie to hide in this burger. It has a neutral flavor but packs a big nutrient punch.
- Coconut flour. This acts a binder in the burger. Technically, you could use other flours like almond flour if you tolerate nuts, or you could experiment with leaving it out.
- Lime. Lime adds a tiny zest to the burger to add more flavor.
- Garlic and onion. You can use other seasonings in the burger as well.
How to make Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers
- Step one. Prep the avocado mayo.
- Step two. Prepare either a grill.
- Step three. Mix the ground chicken with the seasonings, spinach, cilantro, coconut flour, lime juice, and avocado oil until well combined. Very gently fold in the avocado slices, being careful to not smash them.
- Step four. Form the chicken burgers.
- Step five. Grill the burgers on the grill surface for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Step six. Top with optional avocado mayo and serve in lettuce cups like a bun, or enjoy the burgers on their own.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a grill pan if you don’t have a grill. I love opting for an indoor grill pan for ease! Any grill pan will work.
- Opt for a regular pan instead. If you don’t have a grill or grill pan, stick with a regular pan. You won’t get the grill marks, but it will still be a yummy burger.
What to serve with the chicken burgers
- Avocado Broccoli Salad
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Chicken caesar pasta salad
Storage and reheating instructions
These burgers are always going to be best fresh, but if you want to save some, store them without the avocado mayo and add extra lime juice on top. Keep them in the fridge for about a day and reheat them before serving.
If you like this recipe, check these out!
Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers (Whole30, Paleo, AIP)
Want to save this for later?
Just drop your name and email below. Then we’ll email right to your inbox. ✉️
Ingredients
For the avocado mayo (optional)
- 2 medium avocados
- 4 tbsp avocado oil
- Juice of one lime
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
For the chicken burgers
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup spinach, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp coconut flour, optional- acts as a binder
- 1 tbsp avocado oil, plus more if you're frying or grilling
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
- Juice of one lime
- 1 small avocado, or half a large avocado, diced into chunks
- Butter lettuce leaves, optional
Instructions
- For the avocado mayo, combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare either a grill or a grill pan and set to high heat. Add avocado oil to the grill pan if using.
- Mix the ground chicken with the seasonings, spinach, cilantro, coconut flour, lime juice, and avocado oil until well combined. Very gently fold in the avocado slices, being careful to not smash them.
- Form the chicken into 4-5 burgers, spacing out the avocado to make sure it's evenly dispersed.
- Grill the burgers on the grill surface (using extra avocado oil if frying in a pan) for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Top with optional avocado mayo and serve in lettuce cups like a bun, or enjoy the burgers on their own.
Notes
This recipe was published in 2018 and updated in 2023. Photos by Modern Food Stories.
What can I use if I dont have avocado oil?
Melted coconut oil works fine too!
Could these be made ahead a time and freeze for later? Would you freeze before or after cooking?
I would probably freeze them after cooking, though I haven’t tried myself! Let us know if you do 🙂
Added goat cheese to these… wow. Great recipe!
Love that idea!! Thank you!
As someone who struggled for years with Hashimotos…I am really trying to stick to AIP. This recipe was so good. My husband said it was one of the best things he ever ate. My 13 year old said it was “fire” which is the highest praise you can get.
Thanks for putting all these recipes out there. We are going to try Hawaiian Chicken Bowls tonight.
Yay, so glad!!
These were SOOOO good! My family loved them tonight (including my 2 year old twins)! Thank you for the yummy recipe! =)
Yay!! Thank you so much, Emily!!
When is the cilantro added? In the patty? Or is it a garnish?
It is added into the patty with other ingredients to make the ground meat mixture.
I liked these very much but it did not make a burger for me, just crumbled. I did not use the optional flour and I used ground turkey but next time I will use flour and hope it will hold together better. I ended up putting crumbles on top of a salad along with the avocado mayo. It was satisfying and delicious. I will make it again.
These are amazing! I ate the leftover burger for breakfast topped with an over-easy egg. The only change to the recipe I made was using olive oil because my store didn’t have avocado oil. I will make this again!
This is one of my all time favourite recipes. I can’t get enough!
I did the mixture Saturday morning and leave it in the fridge; can I use it now ( after 3 days)? Or should get rid of it?
Thanks
I haven’t tried that honestly… the avocado may not be fresh anymore, and it depends on how fresh the chicken was too.
These were so delicious, and so easy to make!
Do these keep well? Cooking for 1 so I often eat leftovers. Thanks in advance!
They’re best fresh but they’ll keep for 24-48 hours 🙂
Do you have the nutritional value on these or know how many WW Smartpoints these are?
Soooo delicious! Thanks for yet another fabulous recipe!
Thank you so much, Grace! So glad you liked it!!
Great flavor and easy to make! Will definitely keep this recipe!
Thank you so much Roxanne 🙂