Gourmet Chicken Burgers with Savory Blue Cheese Aioli
Elevate your burger experience with these gourmet chicken burgers, blending juicy, seasoned chicken thighs with crispy bacon and topped with a rich blue cheese aioli. Perfect for backyard barbecues or a cozy dinner at home, this recipe shines through with freshness and flavor. Don't shy away from making your own aioli; it's a straightforward process that delivers an exquisite taste that's far superior to store-bought. Serve these delectable burgers on toasted buns, accompanied by vibrant salad leaves for a delightful crunch.
N/A
Servings
375
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 1/4 lbs (cut into pieces)
rindless streaky bacon
6 slices (cut into pieces (2 slices for burger mix and 4 slices for grilling))
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
garlic clove
1 (crushed)
shallot
1 (finely chopped)
fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons (roughly chopped)
fresh white breadcrumbs
2 ounces (no preparation required)
egg yolk
1 (no preparation required)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (no preparation required)
light olive oil
1/4 pint (for aioli)
white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon (no preparation required)
blue cheese
3 ounces (crumbled)
fresh chives
1 tablespoon (chopped)
hamburger buns
4 (no preparation required)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into small pieces and transferring them to a food processor. Cut two slices of bacon into small pieces and add them to the processor as well. Pulse the mixture until it is coarsely chopped, ensuring not to over-process.
2
In a frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic and finely chopped shallot, cooking for about 2 minutes until they become soft and aromatic. Remove from heat, drain any excess oil, and allow to cool slightly.
3
Once cooled, add the garlic, shallot, fresh tarragon, and white breadcrumbs to the chicken and bacon mixture. Season well with salt and pepper, then mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
4
Divide the mixture into four equal portions and, using lightly floured hands, shape each portion into a burger patty. Place the shaped patties on a plate and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.
5
For the blue cheese aioli, whisk the egg yolk and Dijon mustard together in a bowl until smooth. Gradually add the light olive oil while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. Whisk in the white wine vinegar, then crumble in the blue cheese and fold it into the aioli along with the chopped chives. Chill in the refrigerator until needed.
6
Grill the remaining bacon slices until they are crispy, then set aside. Cook the chicken burgers on a preheated grill over medium heat for about 15 minutes, flipping once, until they are fully cooked and have a nice golden-brown crust.
7
While the burgers are cooking, toast the hamburger buns until golden. To assemble, place a layer of salad leaves on the bottom half of each bun, add a cooked chicken burger, top with a generous spoonful of blue cheese aioli, add a crispy bacon slice, and finish with the top half of the bun. Serve hot and enjoy your gourmet chicken burgers!
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
5g
Carbs
20.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Chicken Burgers with Savory Blue Cheese Aioli?
These are elevated chicken burgers made from seasoned chicken thighs and bacon, topped with a homemade rich blue cheese aioli and served on toasted buns.
What type of chicken is used for these burgers?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicy and flavorful result.
How is the burger meat prepared?
The chicken thighs and two slices of bacon are pulsed in a food processor until coarsely chopped, but not over-processed into a paste.
Why is bacon included in the burger mixture?
Bacon is added to the mixture to provide extra moisture and a savory, smoky flavor to the chicken patties.
Do I need to cook the garlic and shallots before adding them to the meat?
Yes, they should be sautéed in olive oil for about 2 minutes until soft and aromatic before being mixed with the chicken.
What herb provides the distinct flavor in the chicken patty?
Fresh tarragon is used in the burger mixture to give it a sophisticated, fresh herbal flavor.
What binder is used for these chicken burgers?
Fresh white breadcrumbs are used as a binder to help the chicken and bacon mixture hold its shape.
How long should the patties be chilled before cooking?
The shaped patties should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.
What are the ingredients for the blue cheese aioli?
The aioli consists of egg yolk, Dijon mustard, light olive oil, white wine vinegar, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped chives.
How is the aioli made from scratch?
Whisk the egg yolk and mustard, then slowly drizzle in light olive oil while whisking until thick. Finally, stir in vinegar, blue cheese, and chives.
Can I use store-bought mayonnaise for the aioli?
While you can substitute store-bought mayo to save time, making it from scratch with the provided ingredients provides a superior gourmet taste.
How do you cook the chicken burgers?
Cook the patties on a preheated grill over medium heat for about 15 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and fully cooked.
How is the bacon for the topping prepared?
Four slices of rindless streaky bacon are grilled separately until crispy and used as a garnish for the finished burger.
How should the hamburger buns be prepared?
The buns should be toasted until golden-brown before assembly.
What is the recommended assembly order?
Bottom bun, salad leaves, chicken burger, blue cheese aioli, crispy bacon, and the top bun.
How many calories are in one of these burgers?
Each burger contains approximately 375 calories.
What is the protein content per burger?
Each serving provides approximately 20.5 grams of protein.
Is this recipe low in carbohydrates?
Yes, with only 5g of carbohydrates per burger, it is relatively low in carbs.
How much fat is in each burger?
Each burger contains approximately 25 grams of fat.
How many burgers does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed to yield four equal-sized burger patties.
What prevents the chicken mixture from sticking to your hands?
Using lightly floured hands while shaping the patties prevents the mixture from sticking.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
You can, but thighs are recommended because their higher fat content makes for a juicier burger.
What type of blue cheese is best for the aioli?
Any crumbly blue cheese like Stilton, Gorgonzola, or Roquefort works well depending on your flavor preference.
Is this recipe suitable for a barbecue?
Yes, these burgers are specifically described as perfect for backyard barbecues.
How do I ensure the aioli doesn't separate?
Slowly adding the olive oil while whisking continuously is the key to creating a stable emulsion.
Can I make the patties ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape them and keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to grill.
What type of vinegar is used in the aioli?
The recipe specifies one teaspoon of white wine vinegar.
What kind of bacon is recommended?
The recipe suggests rindless streaky bacon for both the mix and the topping.
What are the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 14 ingredients in total including the meat, seasonings, aioli components, and buns.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, despite the 'gourmet' label, the instructions describe the process as straightforward and easy.