If you’re looking for a main dish with serious wow-factor, Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw are guaranteed to make your taste buds sing! These burgers bring together succulent, flavorful chicken patties and a zesty, colorful slaw that’s tossed with a punchy sesame dressing—every bite delivers sweet, savory, and crunchy goodness. Whether you’re firing up the grill on a Saturday or craving a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe gives classic burgers a vibrant, Asian-inspired twist that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple, straightforward ingredients are the heart of Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw. Each plays a unique role—some bring bold flavor, some create that juicy texture, and others add vibrant color and crunch. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a tip for each to help you get the best results.

Ground chicken: Lean and tender, this is the ideal base for juicy, flavorful patties.
Green onions: These add a punch of freshness and a subtle onion flavor—don’t skip them!
Soy sauce: Essential for that deep umami backdrop in both the patties and the slaw.
Teriyaki sauce: Delivers signature sweet-savory flavor; use your favorite quality brand for best taste.
Panko breadcrumbs: Japanese breadcrumbs keep the patties moist and light—don’t substitute regular breadcrumbs here.
Fresh ginger: Grated ginger adds brightness and gentle heat—peel ginger with a spoon for minimal waste.
Garlic clove: One minced clove infuses the patties with rich, aromatic depth.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked is best for that little kick.
Vegetable oil: Helps crisp up the patties—choose a neutral oil so the flavors shine through.
Burger buns: Soft, fluffy buns soak up all the sauce and slaw—toast them for extra texture.
Lettuce leaves: Romaine or butter lettuce adds cooling crunch to every bite.
Pineapple rings (optional): Adds a tropical, juicy flair and extra sweetness—try grilling them for caramelized flavor.
Teriyaki sauce (for brushing): A glossy finishing touch that’s both pretty and delicious.
Green cabbage: The foundation of the slaw—crisp and sturdy, it holds up to the dressing.
Red cabbage: Brings a pop of vibrant color and extra crunch.
Carrots: Naturally sweet and colorful, shredded carrots brighten up the slaw.
Rice vinegar: Adds essential tang and lightness to the sesame dressing.
Sesame oil: Nutty, fragrant oil that lifts the whole slaw—go for toasted if you can.
Honey: Balances the acidity and saltiness in the dressing with a touch of natural sweetness.
Toasted sesame seeds: A final sprinkle for nutty crunch and aroma.
Salt and pepper: To season and bring all the flavors together.

How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw

Step 1: Mix the Chicken Patty Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely chopped green onions, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, panko breadcrumbs, grated ginger, minced garlic, and black pepper. Use a fork or your clean hands to gently bring the mixture together just until combined. This light touch helps keep the patties tender—over-mixing can make the texture too dense.

Step 2: Shape and Cook the Patties

Divide the chicken mixture evenly and shape into four burger patties about the size of your buns. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. When it’s shimmering, add your patties and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes per side. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color and for the patties to be cooked all the way through—juices should run clear.

Step 3: Brush with Teriyaki Sauce

During the last minute of cooking, brush the tops of each patty with a little extra teriyaki sauce. This adds a glossy, sticky finish that tastes—and looks—amazing. Let the sauce caramelize briefly, then transfer the patties to a plate to rest.

Step 4: Prepare the Sesame Slaw

While the patties cook, toss together the green and red cabbage, shredded carrots, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well so the dressing coats every strand. The slaw should be cool, crisp, a little tangy, and just the right amount of nutty.

Step 5: Toast the Buns and Assemble Your Burgers

If you like, toast your burger buns in the same skillet or directly under a broiler for a minute or two until golden—this helps them hold up to all that saucy, slaw-licious goodness. To assemble, place a leaf of lettuce on each bun, top with a juicy chicken patty, add a pineapple ring (if you want a tropical touch!), and finish with a generous mound of sesame slaw. Pop on the top bun and you’re ready to serve!

How to Serve Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw

Garnishes

Garnishing makes these burgers extra special. A final sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or extra sliced green onions on top gives each Chicken Teriyaki Burger with Sesame Slaw a fresh, finished look. Don’t forget a light drizzle of more teriyaki sauce or even a spoonful of spicy mayo for even bolder flavor.

Side Dishes

These burgers shine with vibrant, simple sides. Think sweet potato fries, crispy potato wedges, or even steamed edamame. A side salad with tangy Asian-inspired dressing or a big plate of crunchy pickles can add extra freshness and round things out beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress? Try serving Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw slider-style for parties, or stack them open-face on toasted ciabatta for a more elegant dinner. You can even wrap the patties and slaw in butter lettuce leaves for a lighter, gluten-free twist. Layer them high for that irresistible messy burger appeal!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken patties and sesame slaw separately to keep everything fresh and crunchy. Place the cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep for up to 3 days. The slaw can be refrigerated for 1–2 days, though it’s best enjoyed soon after making to preserve the crispness.

Freezing

The chicken patties can be wrapped well and frozen for up to 2 months. Lay them flat on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. It’s not recommended to freeze the sesame slaw, as the vegetables lose their texture when thawed.

Reheating

To reheat the patties, warm them in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water and a cover on until heated through, or pop them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, if possible, to keep the patties juicy. Assemble fresh slaw and buns when ready to eat for the best experience.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey has a similar texture and will work perfectly in this recipe. Just be sure to use turkey that’s not too lean, or your patties might turn out a bit dry—adding a touch more teriyaki sauce can help keep them juicy.

Is it possible to grill the patties instead of using a skillet?

Yes! These Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw are fantastic on the grill. Oil the grates well and cook the patties over medium heat, following the same timing. Keep an eye on them since chicken can stick if the grill isn’t well-oiled.

What buns work best for Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw?

Soft burger buns, potato rolls, or even brioche buns are all lovely choices. If you want to keep things lighter, try whole wheat buns or use large lettuce leaves for a breadless option.

Can I prepare the chicken patties ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix and shape the patties the night before and store them in the fridge, covered, until you’re ready to cook. This actually helps the flavors meld, making your Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw even tastier.

Are there any quick swaps for the slaw ingredients?

You can use pre-shredded coleslaw mix for an even faster prep, and add in or swap out veggies like bell peppers or snap peas. If you love extra crunch, toss in a handful of chopped roasted peanuts or almonds before serving.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to take burger night from ordinary to unforgettable, Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw are the way to go. Juicy, colorful, and packed with unforgettable flavor, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser you’ll come back to again and again. Give it a try and bring some new excitement to your table—you’re going to love every bite!

Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw are a delicious Asian-inspired twist on classic burgers. Juicy teriyaki-flavored chicken patties are topped with a crunchy sesame slaw, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Teriyaki Burgers:

1 pound ground chicken
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 burger buns
4 lettuce leaves
4 pineapple rings (optional)
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (for brushing)

For the Sesame Slaw:

2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrots
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Teriyaki Burgers: In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, green onions, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, panko breadcrumbs, ginger, garlic, and black pepper. Shape into 4 patties. Cook in a skillet with oil until browned and cooked through. Brush with teriyaki sauce.
Make the Sesame Slaw: Combine green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Assemble the Burgers: Toast the buns. Place a lettuce leaf on each bun, top with a chicken patty, pineapple ring, and sesame slaw. Serve immediately.