1 July 2010

Grilled Caprese Chicken Burgers


Grilled Caprese Chicken Burger
Is there anything that says summer and the backyard barbecue more than a juicy burger? When making beef burgers I feel that simplest and unadorned is best. Add a little water or wine to the meat, shape and barbecue. The burger will get additional flavouring from the toppings you choose to add.

Chicken has a much blander flavour and in my humble opinion needs an extra boost of flavour when grilled... the sultry, smoky char-broiled taste of grilling not withstanding.  If the ground chicken breast were left alone it would not stand up and be counted, so, therefore I added more robust flavours like fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese to add that flavour punch. In the case of this chicken burger the bocconcini cheese and basil toppings are a compliment and do not overpower the flavour of the chicken burger. Chicken burgers have a tendency to dry out when grilling so the key to a moist juicy chicken burger is two-fold...add egg as a binder and make your patties thinner so that they won't be over the intense heat of the grill for too long. You could also use chicken thighs.

A nice break from typical hamburgers, and much healthier for you, these chicken burgers are flavourful,  simple to make, and quite delicious. They didn't make it to my Is My Face Red (and White) Canada Day menu simply because the menu was already carb-heavy. This burger definitely has that WOW factor and can be served to your family or guests with pride!! What you have is a well-balanced marriage of flavours.

 This burger is "heart healthy"so eat to your hearts content!" I will definitely be making this burger again. Enjoy your weekend and happy grilling!

**Grilled Caprese Chicken Burgers**

1 4-oz/125 g ball bocconcini cheese, sliced into 4 pieces
1 sun-ripened tomato, sliced into 4 pieces
4 fresh basil leaves per burger (12)
4 hamburger buns

Patties

1 1lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken, ground
1 egg
1 tablespoon (15 mL) water
1/2 small onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup (75 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (50 mL) dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons(25 mL) chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons(25 mL) oil packed sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) salt and pepper

In large bowl, beat egg with water; stir in onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Mix in ground chicken. Shape into four 1/2-inch (3 cm) thick patties. Refrigerate at least one hour for flavours to blend and for the burgers to firm up slightly.

Place patties on greased grill over medium heat; close lid and grill. Turn over. When you turn over your patties top with slices of bocconcini cheese and arrange 4 basil leaves in a pattern as pictured above. Grill until digital thermometer inserted sideways into centre reads 165°F (74°C), 10 to 12 minutes.

Top with tomato and serve in hamburger bun.

Serves 4

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

28 comments:

  1. Val, you always provide a great amount of summer bbq recipes...so inspiring! Love the caprese touch to these burgers

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  2. What a great cheese for these burgers. The bocconcini, parm and sun dried tomatoes are great additions to chicken. They add nice flavor.

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  3. I really love your unique touches to this burger. It looks and sounds delicious. I hope you had a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Your burgers look molto delicioso, Val! Lots of big, bold flavors going on there. A very nice twist on a classic.

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  5. Wow. :-) I love those splendid toppings but I wonder why on earth I've never ground up chicken before?? I grind every other meat - even ham and fish - but I've never done chicken. You have truly inspired me today, Val! :-)

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  6. A lovely burger recipe! I could eat that kind of food on a daily basis...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  7. Val, how lovely and healthy too. I've never thought of a chicken Caprese burger. I'm definitely giving this a try!
    Sam

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  8. Great idea Val. I will definitely be trying this with the garden tomatoes and basil.

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  9. I'm totally with you. Chicken and turkey burgers are best when combined with added flavors. I love how there's really an infinite number of variations you can come up with. Caprese just about screams summer to me, so I love these!

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  10. These are so pretty! The fact that they're healthy is just the icing on the cake. Sounds perfect for a summer bbq.

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  11. You've put together a scrumptious burger, Val. When you've got great ingredients you don't need anything else. What could say "summer" louder than this?

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  12. I'll take this burger over beef any time. Love it!!!

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  13. I love your chicken burger Valli! look georgeous! gloria

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  14. AnonymousJuly 02, 2010

    I make turkey burgers often as an alternative to beef, but haven't tried chicken. Thanks for a great recipe to start with!

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  15. What a great alternative to the traditional beef burger. This chciken burger does scream Summer. Looks wonderful!

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  16. I like the sundried tomatoes in here...offer some help to the chicken (which can end up dry).

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  17. I love chicken, I'm surprised that I always forget I can sub it in for a burger patty. I really don't do that enough!

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  18. sun-dried tomato? and i'm there. :)

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  19. Flavoring up chicken and turkey burgers is a constant quest for me since they're the only burgers my husband will eat. These look wonderful. I really want to try this sundried tomato and basil combo.

    I think these are honorary Canada Day burgers!

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  20. Val, this is a favorite of my Daughter- in- law because she doesn't eat much meat- Great post!
    xoxo pattie

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  21. yes, burgers scream summer. This one is shouting out "eat me". I love making chicken burgers. Great recipe!

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  22. I've never used ground chicken but this sounds like a wondreful way to do it.

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  23. I've never made chicken burgers, but this looks amazing, and I want one now!

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  24. Your burgers always look and sound so good!!

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  25. I like using ground chicken in my recipes but I completely agree with you about it tasting bland. I love all of the wonderful ingredients you've added to kick up the flavor. Great looking meal! I think I could grill just about every night of the week in the summertime! :)

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  26. Val...I thought I made an unbeatable chicken buger until you mentioned one of my favourite add-ins...sun-dried tomato! I'll be varying my burger next time ;o)
    The photo looks scrumptiously appetizing and healthy too.

    Have a great day,
    Claudia

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  27. I LOVE caprese salad - so this recipe had my attention. And, it sounds delicious, fairly straightforward to make and with complex flavour at the same time. YUM! Your photo is also lovely and artistic... and, how are your parents doing hiking wise? Every time I open your post, I think of them and am consistently amazed!
    :)
    Valerie

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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