Chicken Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Apples

This burger is everything that’s right with the world.  Really, there is nothing else to say on the matter.  Well, you could add bacon…then, there’d be absolutely nothing more.

What is your favorite cheese to put on a burger?  Or are you a no-cheese-er?

I linked this recipe up at Jane Deere’s blog.  You should TOTALLY check it out.  Great Blog!

Chicken Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Apples

1 Tb olive oil

1 Tb butter

2 onions, sliced

2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin

2 Tb apple cider vinegar

Salt and Pepper

1 lb ground chicken

2 TB green onions, chopped

3/4 C cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 C cooked brown rice (you can use bread crumbs)

2 TB maple syrup

1 egg 

Salt and Pepper

1/4 C Greek Yogurt

2 TB Maple Syrup

1 Tb Dijon Mustard

Blue cheese or Cheddar, the debate continues

6 hamburger buns, split

In a saute pan, add oil and butter, and heat until butter melts.  Add onions and apples.  Cook covered for 10 minutes (medium low heat) Remove lid, and cook uncovered for 25 minutes or until onions are caramelized and golden brown.  Add the vinegar, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil, until vinegar almost disappears, about 2 minutes. Set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, add chicken, cheddar cheese, green onions, brown rice, egg, maple syrup, salt and pepper.  Mix until well blended.  Shape into 4-6 patties.  You can cook in two ways: 1.) on the grill.  This is the healthier option, but the chicken will slightly dry out.  2) Add vegetable oil to the saute pan, and heat.  Add patties, cook until slightly browned on both sides (about 5 minutes per side).  This method will result in a juicier burger, since much of the fat is trapped in the burger.  I’d suggest this way, if you have a meatosaurus at home.  They might not even be able to tell the difference between chicken and beef!

In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, maple syrup, and dijon mustard.  

To assemble, spread the yogurt mix on one half of the bun. Top with burger, then cheese, followed by the onions.  It would truly be heavenly with bacon.  I’m just saying.