Description
These chicken spinach burgers combine lean ground chicken with fresh spinach, mozzarella cheese, and pesto for a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic burger. Cooked quickly on the stovetop and perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner, they can be served on whole wheat buns or as low-carb lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground chicken (about 90% lean)
- ½ cup chopped fresh spinach
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
For Serving
- Whole wheat burger buns
- Desired toppings such as extra mozzarella, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, lettuce wraps
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped spinach, shredded mozzarella cheese, pesto, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently first with a fork, then use your hands to bring everything together until just combined without overworking the meat.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a burger patty approximately ½ inch thick to ensure even cooking.
- Heat the Pan: Warm a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add the canola oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the Burgers: Place the patties in the hot pan and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving them to develop a good sear. Carefully flip the burgers and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and they are cooked through. If adding slice cheese, place it on the patties after flipping to melt during the final cooking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the burgers from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes to retain their juices. Serve on whole wheat buns or as lettuce wraps with your choice of toppings like extra mozzarella, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh basil.
Notes
- Use lean ground chicken (90-93% lean) for better flavor; 99% lean can be too bland.
- You can make your own ground chicken by pulsing raw chicken breasts in a food processor until finely chopped.
- For extra flavor, add a dollop of pesto or extra melted mozzarella on top of the cooked burgers.
- Additional Italian toppings like sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil complement the flavors perfectly.
- Though the recipe uses stovetop cooking, these burgers can be cooked on a grill if preferred.
- Serve on regular buns or opt for lettuce wraps to keep the dish low carb and gluten free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
