Is It Possible to Cook Frozen Chicken Burgers on a Barbecue?
Cooking frozen chicken burgers on a barbecue is absolutely possible with some preparation and care. While most raw burgers can go straight on the grill from the fridge, frozen patties require a bit more finesse. With the right techniques, you’ll end up with juicy, flavorful chicken burgers cooked to perfection.
Thawing 101: Safely Defrosting Frozen Burgers
Before grilling, frozen chicken burgers need to be thawed. There are a few safe ways to defrost patties:
- Refrigeration: Place frozen burgers in the fridge overnight or up to 24 hours before cooking. Ensure they’re in a sealed container or bag to prevent contamination.
- Cold Water: Submerge burgers (in their packaging) in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Takes 1-2 hours.
- Microwave: Use the defrost setting in short bursts, flipping halfway. Watch carefully to prevent cooking.
- Let sit at room temperature: Leave burgers wrapped at room temp for 1-2 hours until thawed. Keep temps under 40°F.
- On the grill: Start cooking frozen and finish thawing on grill. Will take much longer. Highly depends on thickness.
Thawed chicken should feel pliable, moist and cool to the touch. Meat feels firm and stiff when frozen solid.
Why Thawing is Crucial
There are a few reasons you can’t just throw frozen patties straight onto the grill:
- Frozen centers won’t cook through. You’ll either burn the outside or be left with a cold, raw middle.
- Cooking times are extended, drying out the exterior.
- Uneven thawing leads to uneven cooking.
- Hard frozen meat risks breaking apart or sticking to the grill grates.
- You won’t get those nice grill marks on partially frozen patties.
So for food safety, texture, and proper doneness, thaw those burger patties first!
Grill Preparation Tips
Achieving delicious grilled burgers from frozen starts before you even light the barbecue. Follow these preparation guidelines:
1. Prep the Grill
- Ensure grill grates are clean. Scrape off debris and grease.
- Lightly brush or rub grates with oil to prevent sticking. Grapeseed, avocado or vegetable oil work well.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Use two or three burners if possible.
2. Use the Right Thickness
- Opt for thicker frozen patties, at least 3/4 inch thick. Thinner ones will overcook.
- If using thin patties, stack two together while cooking for more leeway.
3. Have Your Tools Ready
- Keep tongs, spatula, oven mitts and timer close by. Long handled grill tools prevent burns.
- Set out a sheet pan or plate for cooked burgers.
- Prepare any desired burger toppings so they’re ready to assemble.
Proper preparation is key for transitioning those frozen burgers into hot, juicy ones off the barbecue!
Handling Frozen Patties on the Grill
When dealing with frozen meat on a scorching grill, technique matters. Follow these tips for success:
1. Sear Immediately
- Place thawed burger patties directly over heat. Resist the urge to peek or move them once down.
- Let sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes. This helps set the exterior and build flavor.
2. Don’t Press Burgers
- Never press down on burger patties with a spatula. This forces out juices, leading to dryness.
- Flip only once during cooking. Let form a crust before disturbing.
3. Monitor Doneness
- Judge doneness by internal temperature, not color. Chicken is safe at 165°F.
- For estimate, slice to check center after searing: pink = continue cooking, brown = remove from grill.
4. Move to Low Heat
- Once seared both sides, move patties to indirect heat or turn down burners.
- Close grill lid and finish cooking through, about 8-12 minutes based on thickness.
5. Watch Flare-Ups
- Frozen meat drippings can cause heavy smoke or flare-ups. Keep an eye out.
- If needed, move patties temporarily to avoid burning.
With the proper grilling method, frozen chicken burgers can become barbecue stars.
Helpful Tips and Modifications
Grilling frozen chicken patties on a barbecue may require some trial and error. Here are handy tips to improve results:
- Brush patties with oil or marinade to help crusting and moisture. Can also help combat sticking.
- If meat sticks, use two spatulas to gently release. Don’t force.
- For charcoal grills, sear over direct heat then move to indirect away from coals.
- On gas grills, turn off center burner after searing. Or sear on high heat with lid closed.
- For thicker patties, finishing in an oven may be easier to monitor doneness. Just sear 2-3 minutes per side on grill first.
- If flare-ups occur, have a spray bottle of water ready to quickly tame the flames.
- Burners on low with lid closed = gentler, more even cooking. Easier for frozen patties.
Don’t get discouraged if the first batch doesn’t turn out perfectly. Adjusting the method to your individual barbecue will give the best end results.
Serving Up Safely Grilled Burgers
Once plump chicken patties are cooked through and register 165°F, it’s almost time to dig in! But follow food safety guidelines after grilling:
- Let rest at least 2 minutes before assembling burgers if serving immediately.
- Consume ASAP or refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- When reheating, cook to 165°F. Microwave works well.
- Never partially cook burgers off the grill then finish later at lower temps. Grill fully.
- Wash hands, utensils, prep surfaces before and after handling raw meat.
Proper refrigeration and reheating are vital for enjoying leftover grilled burgers safely.
Top Tips for Flavorful, Juicy Burgers
For the best quality grilled chicken burgers:
- Mix in a binder – Egg, breadcrumbs or potato flakes to help patties hold together, retaining moisture.
- Add fat – A bit of oil or ground beef combines with chicken for increased juiciness.
- Gently handle – Overworking ground chicken makes for dense, rubbery burgers.
- Create a dimple – Indent center of patties before grilling to prevent bulging.
- Make a stuffing well – Hollow out middle for cheese, garlic, herbs, etc. Stuff after flipping.
- Baste while cooking – Brush with sauce, mustard or marinade. Reapply before second flip.
- Let rest before serving – Carryover cooking continues off grill. Rest for juiciest interior.
- Toast buns – Quick toast adds crunch and locks in toppings.
With the right prep, handling and seasoning, frozen chicken burgers can become as tasty as any fresh homemade patty.
Toppings to Elevate Your Burger
The fun of grilled burgers is all the topping possibilities! Here are some delicious combos:
- Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onions, mustard
- Pepper jack, avocado, bacon, barbecue sauce
- Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo
- Provolone, pesto, roasted red peppers, balsamic drizzle
- Feta, spinach, bell peppers, hummus
- Blue cheese, caramelized onions, hot sauce
- Mozzarella, basil, oven-dried tomatoes, balsamic reduction
- Cheddar, bacon, fried egg, avocado, sriracha mayo
With mix-ins like cheese, veggies, sauces and more, even frozen patties transform into gourmet burgers.
Satisfying Side Dishes
What pairs well with grilled chicken sandwiches? Here are complementary sides:
- Potato salad – Creamy potato salad is a classic burger pairing.
- Pasta salad – Chilled pasta in vinaigrette with veggies makes a fresh side.
- Coleslaw – Cool, crunchy slaw balances the richness of the burger.
- Corn on the cob – Grilled corn is perfect in summer alongside burgers.
- Baked beans – Sweet, smoky beans complement all barbecue.
- Watermelon slices – Juicy, refreshing fruit cuts greasiness.
- Chips and guacamole – Crispy tortilla chips and cool guac is a crowd-pleaser.
- Grilled vegetables – Try zucchini, squash, peppers, eggplant or onions.
With a flavorful slaw, salad, or seasonal sides, your burger feast is complete!
Making Burgers Ahead
For summertime gatherings, burgers often top the menu. You can prep patties in advance:
- Shape patties up to 24 hours before cooking. Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan, separated by parchment. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Freeze uncooked patties in a single layer, separated by parchment sheets. Once frozen solid, transfer to freezer bags. Thaw in fridge before grilling.
- Partially grill patties 2-3 minutes per side until just browned. Cool completely then freeze in bags up to 3 months. Thaw and finish grilling.
- Cook patties completely, let cool and freeze up to 3 months. Reheat frozen or thawed in microwave until hot, 165°F.
With a few make-ahead options, you can enjoy backyard burgers without the last-minute scramble.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen chicken burgers on the grill without knowing the techniques may seem daunting. However, with proper thawing, preparation and handling, you can achieve flavorful, juicy patties with beautiful grill marks and tender, cooked-through centers. Pay close attention during cooking to prevent overcharring or undercooking. The key is medium-high, direct heat for searing and gentler indirect heat for finishing. With lots of creative toppings and side dishes, you can enjoy gourmet grilled burgers from frozen chicken patties. Invite over family or friends, fire up the barbecue, and dig into tasty chicken sandwiches all summer long!
