Chimichurri Chicken Burgers Recipe

If you showed up at a cookout where you heard they were making burgers, but once you got there you realized they were talking about chicken burgers, would you be excited or profoundly disappointed? Thats what I thought. Me too. When your mouth is ready for juicy and flavorful, something dry and bland just wont do, which is why I was so thrilled with how these chimichurri chicken burgers turned out. They werent just comparable, but maybe evenbetter? Okay, that might be a stretch, but the fact that I was even having those thoughts is a great indication of just how much I enjoyed these.

These chimichurri chicken burgers are an exciting twist on the classic burger. The addition of chimichurri sauce to the chicken not only adds incredible flavor, but it brings a richness thats usually reserved for beef. Careful though - these burgers need a bit more attention than their beef counterparts. If overcooked, they can become dry and tough, so keep an eye on them. Lets dive into the recipe!

How to Make Chimichurri Chicken Burgers

Before jumping into the steps, here are some helpful tips:

• Dont overcook the chicken burgers! Unlike beef, chicken burgers can dry out quickly, so its essential to cook them just right.
• Panfrying the patties works best, although you can also broil them. Grilling is possible, but its best to partially cook them in a pan first to avoid falling apart.

Ingredients

For the Chimichurri Sauce:

• 1/2 cup Italian parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

For the Chicken Burgers:

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

Directions

Step 1: Begin by preparing the chimichurri sauce. Finely chop the parsley, cilantro, and oregano using a sharp knife. Add the sliced garlic and continue chopping until everything is very fine. Transfer the mixture into a bowl.

Step 2: Stir in the olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chimichurri sauce until you're ready to use it.

Step 3: To prepare the chicken burgers, place the chicken thighs in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until they are firm and half-frozen. This makes them easier to chop.

Step 4: Using a sharp knife or heavy cleaver, chop the chicken thighs until the texture resembles coarsely ground meat. Alternatively, you can use a food processor. If you choose this method, pulse the chicken on and off, scraping the sides of the bowl often to achieve a coarse texture.

Step 5: Transfer the chopped chicken into a bowl, add the salt and 1/4 cup of the chimichurri sauce. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with a fork.

Step 6: With damp hands, form the chicken mixture into 4 evenly sized patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. Cover the patties and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up.

Step 7: Meanwhile, prepare the chimichurri mayo by stirring together the mayonnaise and the remaining chimichurri sauce. Refrigerate until needed.

Step 8: When ready to cook the burgers, remove them from the fridge. Lightly sprinkle both sides of each patty with breadcrumbs.

Step 9: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the patties to the pan. Cook the burgers for about 5 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the center of the burger should register 145F (63C) when done.

Step 10: Let the burgers rest for a minute or two after cooking. Serve them on buns spread with the chimichurri mayo and any other toppings of your choice.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 590
• Total Fat: 47g (60% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 9g (45% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 215mg (72% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 973mg (42% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrates: 2g (1% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 1g (2% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 42g (84% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 13mg (14% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 40mg (3% Daily Value)
• Iron: 3mg (15% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 525mg (11% Daily Value)

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.