Name: BLT Chicken Burgers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4 burgers (or 6 smaller burgers)
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil; 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice; 4 to 6 hamburger buns, toasted if you like; 4 to 6 lattice bacon squares (8 to 12 slices bacon), cooked; 4 to 6 romaine lettuce leaves; 1 large tomato, sliced

These burgers combine two summer favorites: a cheesy ground chicken patty and everything you would find in a BLT. Cheddar and parmesan go right into the meat, which keeps the patties moist and full of flavor, and a quick basil mayonnaise ties the bacon, romaine and tomato together. It is a classic from the KitchenSimplicity archive.

Make them for a backyard cookout or an easy weeknight dinner when you want something a little different from beef. Woven lattice bacon squares are a nice match here because they cover the whole bun and stay put, but regular slices work too.

Tips

No grill? Cook the patties in an oiled cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Shape the patties up to 1 day ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator; make the basil mayo up to 2 days ahead.
Swap the cheddar for pepper jack or smoked gouda for a different flavor.
Let the patties sear undisturbed before flipping; they release from the grates more easily once a crust forms.

BLT Chicken Burgers

Prep

20 min

Cook

30 min

Total

1 hr 5 min

Yield

4 burgers (or 6 smaller burgers)

Ingredients

For the chicken burgers:
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the basil mayonnaise:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
To assemble:
4 to 6 hamburger buns, toasted if you like
4 to 6 lattice bacon squares (8 to 12 slices bacon), cooked
4 to 6 romaine lettuce leaves
1 large tomato, sliced

Steps

Stir the mayonnaise, basil and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Cook the bacon: weave it into lattice squares and bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or cook regular slices until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, cheddar, parmesan, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined; overworking makes the burgers dense.
With damp hands, pat the mixture into 4 patties (or 6 smaller ones) about 1/2 inch thick. The mixture is soft and sticky, so place the patties on a parchment-lined plate, cover and chill for at least 15 minutes to firm up.
Clean the grill grates, oil them well and preheat the grill to medium.
Grill the burgers for 8 to 10 minutes total, flipping once after a good sear has formed on the first side, until they are browned and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F in the center.
Spread the buns with basil mayonnaise, then layer on the bacon, lettuce, chicken burgers and tomato slices. Serve right away.