Greek Chicken Burgers

A symphony of Mediterranean flavours awaits in every bite of Greek Chicken Burgers. These are not your typical burgers; they are a vibrant and flavourful experience, bursting with the bright, zesty essence of Greek cuisine. Imagine juicy, seasoned chicken patties, infused with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, nestled in soft pita bread and crowned with a cooling tzatziki sauce. This recipe transforms the humble burger into a Mediterranean feast, perfect for a delightful lunch, a relaxed dinner, or a memorable summer gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

• A Taste of the Mediterranean Sunshine: These burgers capture the essence of Greek flavours, transporting you to sun-drenched shores with every mouthful. The combination of feta, olives, and oregano creates an authentic and invigorating taste experience.
• Effortlessly Flavourful: Despite the depth of flavour, these Greek Chicken Burgers are surprisingly simple to prepare. The patties come together quickly, and the tzatziki sauce is a breeze to whip up, making it a perfect recipe for any day of the week.
• Versatile and Adaptable: This recipe is wonderfully versatile. You can grill, pan-fry, or bake the patties, and customize the toppings to your liking. Serve them in pita bread, on buns, or even over a salad for a lighter option.
• A Healthier Burger Alternative: Made with lean ground chicken and packed with fresh ingredients, these burgers offer a lighter and brighter alternative to traditional beef burgers, without sacrificing any flavour or satisfaction.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard barbecue or a family dinner, Greek Chicken Burgers are guaranteed to be a hit. They are a fun and flavourful way to enjoy burgers with a Mediterranean twist.

Ingredients:

For the Aromatic Chicken Patties

• 1.5 lbs ground chicken, the lean protein base for our burgers. Opt for ground chicken thigh for a richer flavour and juicier texture, or use ground chicken breast for a leaner option. The chicken provides a blank canvas to absorb the vibrant Greek flavours.
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled. Feta is the cornerstone of Greek flavour, adding a salty, tangy, and creamy element to the patties. Its briny notes perfectly complement the other Mediterranean ingredients. Use a good quality feta for the best taste.
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped. Kalamata olives bring a briny, fruity, and slightly bitter flavour that is characteristic of Greek cuisine. Their meaty texture and intense taste add depth and complexity to the burgers. Ensure they are pitted for ease of preparation.
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped. Sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, offer a concentrated burst of sweetness and tangy intensity, adding a chewy texture and vibrant colour to the patties. Draining them removes excess oil, preventing the patties from becoming greasy.
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced. Red onion provides a sharp, pungent bite and a subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the other ingredients. Dicing it finely ensures it cooks through evenly in the patties without overpowering the other flavours.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced. Garlic is an essential aromatic, contributing a pungent and savory base note that enhances all the other flavours. Mincing it releases its flavour compounds, infusing the patties with its characteristic aroma.
• 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped. Fresh oregano is the quintessential Greek herb, imparting a fragrant, slightly peppery, and earthy flavour that defines the Mediterranean profile of these burgers. Fresh oregano is preferred for its brighter aroma compared to dried oregano.
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten. Egg acts as a binder, holding the patties together and adding moisture. Lightly beating it ensures it mixes evenly into the ground chicken mixture without making it tough.
• 1 tsp salt, essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavours of all the ingredients. Salt balances the sweetness and acidity, bringing out the best in the chicken and other components.
• ½ tsp black pepper, adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile.

For the Cooling Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cup plain yogurt, Greek yogurt preferred. Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, providing a richer and more luxurious tzatziki sauce. Plain yogurt forms the base of the sauce, offering a tangy and cooling element.
• ½ cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry. Cucumber adds a refreshing coolness and a subtle vegetal note to the tzatziki. Grating it and squeezing out excess moisture prevents the sauce from becoming watery and ensures a thick, creamy consistency.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced. Garlic in the tzatziki provides a pungent and savory counterpoint to the cooling yogurt and cucumber, adding depth and complexity to the sauce.
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped. Fresh dill is a classic herb in tzatziki, imparting a bright, herbaceous, and slightly tangy flavour that perfectly complements the yogurt and cucumber. Fresh dill is preferred for its vibrant aroma.
• 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed. Lemon juice adds acidity and brightness, balancing the richness of the yogurt and enhancing the overall freshness of the tzatziki sauce. Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a more vibrant flavour than bottled juice.
• 1 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin. Olive oil adds richness, flavour, and a smooth texture to the tzatziki sauce. Extra virgin olive oil provides a fruity and slightly peppery note that enhances the Mediterranean character of the sauce.
• ½ tsp salt, seasons the tzatziki, bringing out the flavours of all the ingredients and balancing the acidity of the lemon juice.
• ¼ tsp black pepper, adds a subtle touch of spice and complexity to the tzatziki sauce.

For Serving

• Pita bread or burger buns, for serving. Pita bread provides an authentic Greek touch, while burger buns offer a more familiar burger experience. Choose based on preference and desired serving style.
• Lettuce leaves, tomato slices, red onion slices, optional toppings. These fresh toppings add crunch, freshness, and visual appeal to the burgers, allowing for customization and enhancing the overall eating experience.

How to Make Greek Chicken Burgers ?

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Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Patty Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, minced garlic, oregano, egg, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Mix and Form the Patties

Gently mix all the ingredients together with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the patties tough.

Divide the mixture into 4-6 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty, about ¾ inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Burgers

Grilling: Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill patties for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Pan-Frying: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Step 4: Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce

While the burgers are cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a medium bowl, combine plain yogurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Stir well to combine all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate the tzatziki sauce until ready to serve to allow the flavours to meld.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Warm pita bread or burger buns if desired.

To assemble the Greek Chicken Burgers, place a chicken patty on the bottom half of a pita or bun. Top with a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce, lettuce leaves, tomato slices, and red onion slices (if using). Cover with the top half of the pita or bun.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Variations:

Spicy Kick

For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken patty mixture or the tzatziki sauce. You can also include finely chopped jalapeño peppers or a dash of hot sauce to the tzatziki for an extra spicy dimension.

Herbaceous Boost

Enhance the herbaceous flavours by adding other fresh herbs to the patties or tzatziki. Consider incorporating chopped fresh mint, parsley, or basil for different aromatic nuances. A combination of herbs can create a more complex flavour profile.

Cheese Variations

Experiment with different types of cheese in the patties. Instead of feta, try using halloumi cheese, crumbled, for a saltier and firmer texture, or kefalotyri cheese, grated, for a sharper and more pungent flavour. You can also use a blend of cheeses for a more complex taste.

Lemon Zest Zing

Amplify the citrusy notes by adding lemon zest to the chicken patty mixture and the tzatziki sauce. The zest provides a concentrated burst of lemon aroma and flavour, enhancing the overall freshness and brightness of the burgers.

Vegetarian Greek Burgers

Create vegetarian Greek Burgers by substituting the ground chicken with canned chickpeas, mashed, or grilled halloumi cheese slices. For chickpea burgers, mash chickpeas with the same seasonings and binders as the chicken patties and form into patties. Grill or pan-fry until golden brown. For halloumi burgers, simply grill or pan-fry halloumi slices until golden and serve with tzatziki and other Greek toppings.

Serving Suggestions:

Greek Salad Side

Serve Greek Chicken Burgers alongside a refreshing Greek salad (Horiatiki salad) with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, feta, and a simple vinaigrette. The salad provides a light and crisp counterpoint to the richness of the burgers, creating a balanced and complete Greek meal.

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Pair the burgers with lemon roasted potatoes for a hearty and flavourful side dish. Toss potato wedges with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper, and roast until golden and tender. The lemony potatoes complement the Greek flavours of the burgers perfectly.

Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Serve Greek Chicken Burgers with grilled vegetable skewers featuring bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Marinate the vegetables in a Greek vinaigrette before grilling for added flavour. The grilled vegetables add colour, texture, and a smoky char to the meal.

Orzo Pasta Salad

Accompany the burgers with a light and refreshing orzo pasta salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta, dill, and a lemon vinaigrette. The orzo salad provides a satisfying carbohydrate component and complements the Greek flavours of the burgers.

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

For a truly indulgent Greek feast, serve Greek Chicken Burgers with a side of spanakopita (Greek spinach pie). The flaky pastry and savory spinach and feta filling of spanakopita create a delicious and authentic Greek culinary experience when paired with the burgers.

FAQ

Can I make the chicken patties ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the Greek Chicken Burger patties ahead of time. Form the patties and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Cook them just before serving. This is a great time-saving tip for meal prepping or entertaining.

How do I store leftover Greek Chicken Burgers?

Store leftover cooked Greek Chicken Burgers patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in a skillet, microwave, or oven until heated through. Tzatziki sauce should also be stored separately in the refrigerator and consumed within 2-3 days.

Can I freeze Greek Chicken Burger patties?

Yes, you can freeze uncooked Greek Chicken Burger patties. Place formed patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking.

What can I use instead of feta cheese?

If you don’t have feta cheese, you can substitute with goat cheese for a similar tangy and creamy flavour, or ricotta cheese for a milder and creamier option. However, feta is truly the most authentic choice for Greek flavours.

How do I prevent dry chicken burgers?

To prevent dry Greek Chicken Burgers, avoid overmixing the patty mixture and don’t overcook the patties. Ground chicken, especially breast meat, can dry out easily. Cook until just cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Adding feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes helps retain moisture.

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