Chicken Burger Feta Spinach (Print Format)
A juicy chicken burger with feta cheese, fresh spinach, and savory toppings for a nutritious meal option.
# Ingredients:
→ Feta Cheese Spread
01 -
2 oz feta cheese
02 -
4 oz cream cheese
03 -
1 large garlic clove, minced
04 -
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 -
1 tbsp lemon juice
→ Tzatziki Sauce
06 -
1 cup Greek yogurt (2% fat)
07 -
2 large garlic cloves, minced
08 -
1/4 cup English cucumber, finely chopped (about 3.5 oz)
09 -
2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
10 -
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
11 -
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
12 -
1/4 tsp salt
13 -
Dash of freshly ground black pepper
→ Chicken Burgers
14 -
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry
15 -
1 lb ground chicken, 93% lean
16 -
4 oz feta cheese, finely crumbled
17 -
1/4 cup almond meal or breadcrumbs
18 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
19 -
6 garlic cloves, minced
20 -
1 tsp salt
21 -
1 tsp black pepper
22 -
1 tsp dried oregano
23 -
4 brioche buns
→ Toppings
24 -
1 large ripe tomato, sliced
25 -
Green leaf lettuce, washed and dried
26 -
English cucumber, thinly sliced
27 -
Red onion, thinly sliced
# Steps:
01 -
Combine feta cheese, cream cheese, garlic, black pepper, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. If lumps remain, microwave an additional 15 to 30 seconds until creamy. Alternatively, pulse with a food processor until well blended. The spread can be prepared up to one day ahead and refrigerated.
02 -
Mix Greek yogurt, garlic, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes. It can also be made a day in advance for enhanced flavor.
03 -
Thaw spinach in the microwave and cool, then squeeze out all excess moisture thoroughly. In a large bowl, combine spinach, ground chicken, crumbled feta, almond meal or breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix thoroughly and shape into four evenly sized patties.
04 -
Preheat grill to 450°F. If using mesquite smoke chips, place in smoker box over heat for 7 minutes until smoking. Spray burgers with grilling spray on both sides. Grill patties 5 minutes on the first side, flip, and grill an additional 3 to 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 -
Spread feta cheese spread on the inside of each brioche bun. Place grilled burger on the bottom bun, layer with tomato, lettuce, cucumber, and red onion. Top with a spoonful of tzatziki sauce and cover with the bun top. Serve immediately. Optionally, serve burgers as lettuce wraps or inside pita bread with the same toppings.
# Tips:
01 -
For best flavor, prepare the feta cheese spread and tzatziki sauce up to 24 hours in advance. Ensure all excess moisture is removed from the spinach to avoid soggy patties.