BBQ Chicken Burgers

These BBQ chicken burgers have BBQ pulled pork mixed right into the patty. A combination that will make you crave chicken burgers.

So far I am pleasantly surprised with the meals and desserts I have made with what is already stocked in my kitchen. But I had to cave on buying ground chicken in order make these burgers. They have been on my cooking “to do” list for too long. Besides, I had some leftover root beer pulled pork begging for a purpose and used it instead of what I assume was supposed to be dry pulled pork in the ingredient list. Sometimes I think I am really good at finding new life to leftovers.

Mine didn’t come out looking nearly as gorgeous as Tara’s from Smells Like Home (maybe it’s the lack of BBQ sauce oozing down the sides), but it’s what’s inside that counts! Which just so happens to be yummy deliciousness.

BBQ CHICKEN BURGERS

BBQ SAUCE

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup molasses

2 Tbsp very finely chopped (or grated) onion

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp cider vinegar

1 Tbsp brown sugar

Hot sauce, to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat.  Cook the sauce about 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.  The sauce should be reduced down to approximately 1 cup.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Refrigerate until ready to use.  The sauce will keep, refrigerated, for about 1 week.

BURGERS

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken

1/2 cup crumbled cornbread or 1/4 cup cornmeal

1 scallion, minced

1 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp kosher salt

Pinch cayenne

2 tsp brown sugar

2/3 cup chopped pulled pork

5 tbsp BBQ sauce, divided

Red onion slices

Sharp cheddar cheese, sliced

Additional BBQ sauce

Hamburger buns (I used Deli thins, just because that’s what I had)

Directions:

1. Prepare grill*.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cornbread, scallion, cilantro, paprika, garlic, mustard, salt, cayenne, brown sugar, pork, and 2 tablespoons of the bbq sauce.  Lightly but thoroughly mix with your hands to incorporate all the ingredients.  Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of BBQ sauce to a small bowl.
3. Form the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.  Brush the grates of the grill with olive oil.  Place the burgers and onions on the grill, and cook the burgers 5-6 minutes, then flip.  Turn the onions as well.  Brush the cooked sides with half the reserved BBQ sauce.  After 3-4 minutes, flip the burgers again. glazing the other side with the remaining BBQ sauce.  Place a slice of cheese on each patty, and lay the buns, cut side down, on the grill.  Close the lid and allow the cheese to melt and the buns to toast.
4. Remove all the food from the grill, assembling the burgers as desired.  Serve with additional BBQ sauce if desired.

*I do not have a grill, but the George Foreman worked just fine.

Source: Smells Like Home, originally from Pink Parsley and Everyday Annie.