Recipe
Saucy Mozzarella & Chicken Burgers
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Serves: 6
Mozzarella cheese and your favourite pasta or pizza sauce make the perfect toppings for these Italian spiced burgers. Serve with your roasted oven fries and a crisp green salad.
Contributed By: Developed for CFC by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc
Ingredients
1 lb (0.5 kg)
extra lean ground chicken
1 cup (250 mL)
brown rice, cooked
1/4 cup (60 mL)
red onions, minced
1/4 cup (60 mL)
Romano cheese, grated
1 tsp (5 mL)
basil, dried
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
fennel seed, whole, crushed
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
garlic powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
hot red chili pepper flakes
1/4 tsp (1.25 mL)
salt
3/4 cups (175 mL)
mozzarella cheese, part skim, 16.5% MF, grated
3/4 cups (175 mL)
pizza or pasta sauce, ready to serve
1 cup (250 mL)
baby spinach, fresh
6
tomato slices
6
onion slices
6
whole wheat hamburger buns
Instructions
1
Add cooked brown rice and chicken to a large mixing bowl. Add the red onion, Romano cheese, basil, fennel, garlic powder, chile pepper flakes and salt and mix well to combine. Divide into six equal portions measuring a generous ⅓ cup each. Shape into patties approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
2
Preheat grill to medium high. Place burgers on top rack, close lid and grill 15 minutes on one side or until browned. Turn burgers over and carefully top each with 2 Tbsp (30 ml) mozzarella cheese. Close lid and grill another 7–10 minutes or until a thermometer set in centre of burgers registers 165°F (74°C). Remove from grill.
3
Place hamburger buns cut side down on grill and toast lightly. Remove from grill. Spread each half with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) pizza or pasta sauce.
4
Top bottom of bun with 1/6th of the baby spinach followed by a slice each of red onion and tomato. Top with a grilled chicken burger and close bun.