Description
Juicy white cheddar and spinach chicken burgers blend creamy cheese with nutrient-rich greens. These gourmet patties offer a delightful twist on classic burgers that will satisfy your craving for something fresh and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- ½ cup (50 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (30 g) spinach, fresh, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps olive oil (for cooking)
- Burger buns or lettuce wraps (optional)
- White cheddar cheese, sliced (optional)
- Avocado, sliced (optional)
- Tomato, sliced (optional)
- Red onion (optional)
- Spinach or lettuce (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine ground chicken with spinach, white cheddar, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Gently blend ingredients to maintain meat’s delicate texture.
- Patty Formation: Divide mixture into four equal portions, shaping each into uniform circular patties about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly dampen hands if mixture becomes sticky during shaping.
- Cooking Process: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place chicken patties in the pan, cooking until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Sear each side for 4-5 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches 165F (74C). Grill can be used as an alternative cooking method.
- Assembly: Toast burger buns for added crunch. Layer cooked patty on bottom bun, topping with additional white cheddar, avocado slices, tomato rounds, and fresh spinach leaves.
- Serving: Plate burgers immediately with complementary sides like sweet potato fries, garden salad, or roasted seasonal vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Handle ground chicken mixture delicately to prevent tough, dense burgers. Overmixing breaks down protein fibers, resulting in compact, rubbery texture.
- Moisture Control: Keep hands slightly damp when forming patties to prevent sticky mixture from clinging to fingers and ensure smooth, even shaping.
- Temperature Precision: Use meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches 165F internally. Color isn’t always reliable indicator of doneness for poultry.
- Flexibility for Dietary Needs: Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for celiac-friendly version. Replace egg with mashed flaxseed or chia seed mixture for vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg