On busy nights when I want to feed my family something nutritious that can be prepped quickly, Ranch Chicken Burgers are a fan favorite! These are something my family requests regularly, so I make them in batches every few months and store them in the freezer. Ranch burgers make for a 15-minute dinner, paired with fries prepped in the air fryer, roasted vegetables, fruit, or chips if I’m feeling extra lazy.
To prep this recipe ahead of time, you’ll need zip-top freezer bags, parchment paper, and cooking spray or oil. I also use a burger press to ensure the patties are uniform in size, but it’s not necessary. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl (I use my hands to mix but you could use a utensil if raw meat gives you the ick), separate into even-sized balls and then press into patties. Spray each side of the patty with non-stick cooking spray and place a piece of parchment paper or square in between each patty. Freeze the patties raw, they can be cooked straight from frozen or thawed ahead of time and my recommendation is to cook them in a skillet either way.
Meal prepping these burgers are a great way to have a home-cooked meal on days with lots of after-school activities or even would make for a helpful gift for a postpartum mom. I made several batches of these during the last weeks of my second pregnancy and was so grateful to have them on-hand postpartum.
An easy way to prep the bacon in a big batch without wrecking your stove is to cook it in the oven. Using a rimmed baking sheet, lay the bacon in a single layer and place in a cold oven and pre-heat to 375-400 (all ovens cook slightly different). Check on the bacon periodically to make sure it doesn’t burn. Once the oven is pre-heated, the bacon should be perfect! Remove the bacon from the baking tray and place on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. When I make a big batch of these burgers, I cook a whole pack of bacon and then chop it up (bacon is an ingredient best measured with the heart, in my opinion).
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped (see cooking suggestion above – but also, measure with your heart)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (use what you have on-hand, my favorite is Colby Jack but anything will work)
- 1 oz. (2 tablespoons) Ranch seasoning mix
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Divide mixture into balls and flatten into patties. Add about a tablespoon of oil of your choice to a skillet over medium heat. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
Helpful Hints
- Cook bacon in the oven (instructions above) to avoid making a mess on the stove
- Multiply the recipe (I 4x it) and freeze for an easy, quick, and nutritious meal
- Cook from frozen (the taste is not affected)
