Description
White Cheddar and Spinach Chicken Burgers offer a juicy, flavorful twist on classic chicken burgers by combining lean ground chicken, sharp white cheddar cheese, and fresh spinach. This recipe creates perfectly balanced, protein-packed patties that are quick and easy to prepare, making them ideal for weeknight dinners, backyard cookouts, or any meal where you want a hearty yet healthy burger with an extra boost of greens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh lean ground chicken
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, washed and finely chopped
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing the grill or pan)
Instructions
- Prepare the spinach and cheese: Wash and finely chop fresh spinach leaves, then shred the white cheddar cheese. Combining these ingredients early helps distribute their flavors evenly throughout the burger mixture.
- Mix the burger ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped spinach, shredded white cheddar, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until everything is just combined, taking care not to overmix to avoid tough burgers.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape each into patties about ¾ inch thick. Press firmly but avoid compacting too much to maintain juiciness when cooking.
- Cook the burgers: Heat a grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface. Cook patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and they are golden brown with melted cheese inside.
- Assemble and serve: Place each burger on a toasted bun and add your favorite toppings and condiments such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, or tangy mustard sauce to complement the flavors.
Notes
- Keep the burger mixture cold before forming patties to help them hold their shape better while cooking.
- Combine ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to prevent dense, rubbery burgers.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety and optimal juiciness.
- Lightly toast buns to add crunch and help prevent sogginess from burger juices.
- Let cooked burgers rest a few minutes before serving to retain their flavorful juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg