My air fryer chicken patties make for a fast and easy dinner any night of the week! Ready in under 20 minutes and so juicy and tender.
If you’ve tried my air fryer hamburgers or air fryer turkey burgers before, you’ll love this chicken version, aka air fryer chicken patties. They’re super easy to make and can even be prepped ahead of time or frozen for later!
And before you think otherwise, these are NOT like other recipes you may see that use frozen, pre-bought chicken patties. My ones are made from scratch and taste better than those processed ones.
I tested these patties with both lean and fattier ground chicken to make sure they never turn out dry. The trick is mixing in a touch of olive oil, which locks in moisture while the air fryer crisps up the outside. In culinary school, we were taught that ground poultry (like ground chicken) needs a flavor boost to really shine, so I use a small but mighty mix for depth. After dozens of test runs, I found the balance gives you juicy patties every time – better than anything you’d get from a box.
Table of Contents
Why make chicken patties in the air fryer
- Wholesome. Using a lean protein like ground chicken makes this chicken patty recipe a nutritious and delicious lunch or dinner.
- Breadcrumb-free. They stick together, even without breadcrumbs or eggs! Keeping the ground chicken mixture breadcrumb-free also makes this recipe naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly.
- Perfect texture. I love how the air fryer gives the ground chicken patties crisp edges and juicy middles.
- Freezer-friendly. Keep the patties in the freezer for a quick weeknight dinner- they reheat beautifully.
READER REVIEWS
★★★★★ – “These patties are next-level great! I served them with your peanut sauce, Arman ….SO GOOD …this recipe is going to be on constant repeat here 😊” – Jane
★★★★★ – “These chicken patties are so juicy and flavorful! Way better than frozen ones and now a weeknight staple in our house.” – Lucy
Key Ingredients
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
- Ground chicken. As mentioned earlier, I tried lean and 80/20 ground chicken options, and the lean option held up beautifully with the added oil and didn’t shrink at all.
- Seasonings. I like to use salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to give each patty savory flavors.
- Olive oil. Helps form the patties and encourages browning on the outside. Another neutral-flavored oil could also be used.
- Worcestershire sauce. I tested batches with and without Worcestershire – the version with it had a noticeably richer, umami depth you don’t get from plain chicken.
Recipe variations
- Instead of ground chicken. This recipe also works well with ground turkey or with ground pork.
- Customize the flavor. Swap the seasonings in the recipe card for a garlic herb, Italian, Cajun, or taco seasoning blend.
- Make them with cheese. Stir grated parmesan, shredded mozzarella, or your favorite shredded cheese into the chicken mixture for gooey melted cheese strings in every bite.
How to make air fryer chicken patties
Step 1 – Make the chicken mixture. Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix until fully combined. With slightly wet hands, form the chicken mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.
Step 2 – Air fry. Arrange the patties in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry until they’re cooked through and crispy on the outside.
Step 3 – Rest, then serve. Let the patties rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What to serve with this
My favorite way to serve chicken patties is on hamburger buns with all the classic burger fixings, like lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, pickles, and a slice of cheese on top. I can’t forget about the sauces, either! Some Big Mac sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, spicy mayo, or hot honey sauce is always delicious.
When I’m craving a lighter meal, I’ll chop up the patties and serve them on top of a green salad or grain bowl.
Arman’s pro recipe tips
- Don’t overcook the patties! You’ll know they’re done air frying and cooked to perfection when a meat thermometer measures the internal temperature at 160ºF. As they’re resting, they’ll come up to a safe temperature of 165ºF.
- For the crispiest exterior, make sure the patties aren’t overlapping or touching in the air fryer basket. You may need to air fry in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side (my Phillips XL air fryer fits in 4 patties comfortably).
Frequently asked questions
I found that the patties held together, but if yours are falling apart, place the formed patties in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. The cold temperatures will help the meat mixture firm up!
Yes, of course. Any store-bought frozen chicken patty will work. Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Yes! I often form them in the morning, cover them, and let them rest in the fridge. They firm up and cook more evenly.
Storage instructions
To store: Wrap the leftover ground chicken burgers in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keep them in a ziplock bag or airtight container, and store them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze: The homemade chicken patties also freeze well before and after cooking (let them cool before storing). Separate each patty with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper, keep them in a ziplock bag or an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Pop the thawed or frozen patties back in the air fryer and reheat at 375ºF for 5 to 8 minutes or until they’re warmed through.
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
Add the ground chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl and mix well.
Using lightly wet hands, shape the mixture into four equal-sized patties.
Add the chicken patties to a greased air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Let the patties rest for 5 minutes before assembling before serving.
- Ground chicken: I prefer lean, but 80/20 also works.
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days (covered) or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Freezing uncooked patties: Separate each patty with parchment paper and keep in the freezer for 3 months.
- Reheating: Pop the thawed or frozen patties back in the air fryer and reheat at 375ºF for 5 to 8 minutes or until they’re warmed through.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSodium: 379mgPotassium: 612mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 64IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g
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Originally published January 2024, updated and republished September 2025
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