Chicken Burgers with Yogurt Pesto and Mozzerella
Enjoy a fresh and flavorful meal with these Light and Easy Chicken Burgers topped with Yogurt Pesto and Mozzarella. Made with lean ground chicken, these burgers are a healthy alternative to traditional beef patties. The yogurt pesto sauce, made with Greek yogurt, and store bought pesto, adds a tangy and herbaceous twist. Top each juicy chicken burger with a slice of melty mozzarella for the perfect finishing touch. Serve on whole-grain buns with your favorite fresh toppings for a light and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion!
Equipment
- Grill pan or BBQ
- Food Processor (optional)
- Ice cream scooper (optional)
Ingredients
For the Chicken Patties:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup frozen spinach thawed
- 1/4 cup cream cheese or yogurt
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- Whole wheat buns
- Mozzarella cheese slices or shredded
For the Yogurt Pesto:
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 4 tablespoons store bought pesto
Instructions
- For the Chicken Patties:
- In the food processor, blend the spinach and yogurt or cream cheese.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, spinach mixture, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using a larger spoon or ice cream scooper, scoop and shape them into patties. Aim for about 3-4 inches in diameter.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a BBQ, skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
- Once the pan is hot, add the chicken patties to the skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the burgers are cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
- During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of cheese on top of each burger patty and cover the skillet with a lid to allow the cheese to melt.
- Optional: While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast the slider buns on the grill or in a toaster.
- For the Yogurt Pesto:
- Mix the yogurt and pesto until combined.
- For Assembly:
- Assemble your burgers or sliders by placing each cooked patty on a bun, spread the yogurt pesto on the bun or the patty and adding your desired toppings.
- Serve immediately and watch your kiddos enjoy these sliders!