Barbecue Chicken Burgers

Do you have a particular day of the week you eat a certain food?  Spaghetti Monday?  Pizza Friday?  Pancake Saturday?

Burgers are our food and Sunday is our day.  (With the exception of last weekend.  Nathan made us burgers on the grill both Saturday night and Sunday.  Just your classic beef topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, mustard and ketchup, but man were they good).

Usually, though, I am the one whipping up the burgers and with the plethora of creations to choose from, I tend to make a new kind every weekend.  (Hence my previous posts for Buffalo Chicken Burgers and Green Chili Chicken Burgers). 

If you haven't begun to notice, I'm on kind of a kick with using chicken instead of beef- it just tends to allow the flavor additions to stand out and really shine through the meat.  This time is no exception.  In fact, I currently have written at the top of this recipe printout "these and the buffalo chicken burgers are the top two so far!!"  I mean, how can you go wrong?  It's barbecue meets cheddar meets chicken meets burger.  And what better time to share this recipe than just in time for the Fourth!

Barbecue Chicken Burgers

Makes 4 burgers

1 pound ground chicken
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 scallion, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons barbecue sauce, divided

1/2 red onion, sliced into rings
4 slices extra sharp cheddar
4 burger buns

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cornmeal, scallion, cilantro, paprika, garlic, mustard, salt, cayenne, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce.  Lightly but thoroughly mix with your hands to incorporate all the ingredients. 

Form the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.  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 pattie, and lay the buns, cut side down, on the grill.  Close the lid and allow the cheese to melt and the buns to toast.

Remove all the food from the grill, assembling the burgers as desired.  Serve with additional barbecue sauce if desired.

**Alternative cooking method:  Broil the burgers on a foil lined baking sheet on the top rack in the oven for 10-12 minutes: brush the top after 3 minutes, then flip after 2-3 more minutes, brush after 3 more minutes, and then let cook another 2-3 more minutes.

Adapted from Annie's Eats.