BLT Chicken Burgers

Poultry burgers have a reputation for being dry and bland, but jazzed up with sharp cheddar, parmesan, and garlic—and then topped with crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and lettuce—they're boldness in a bun. Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1  pound  ground chicken, preferably a mixture of 1/2 white and 1/2 dark meat
• 1/2  cup  shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3  cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 1/2  teaspoon  kosher salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3  cup  mayonnaise
• 1/4  cup  finely chopped fresh basil
• 1  tablespoon  each fresh lemon juice and finely shredded lemon zest
• 4  onion kaiser rolls, split
• 8  strips bacon (about 8 oz.), cooked until crisp
• 1  large tomato, thinly sliced
• 4  leaves romaine lettuce

Preparation

1. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds).

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, gently mix chicken, cheeses, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 burgers about 3/4 in. thick, making a slight depression in center of each patty (this helps keep burgers flat as they cook). Put on a plate, cover, and refrigerate until ready to grill.

3. In a blender, whirl mayonnaise, basil, lemon juice, and lemon zest together and refrigerate until ready to use. With a silicone brush or oiled paper towels, lightly oil cooking grate.

4. Grill burgers, covered, turning once, until browned and no longer pink inside (cut to test), 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer burgers to a clean plate and place buns, cut sides down, on grill until lightly browned, 30 seconds.

5. Spread toasted sides of buns with basil mayonnaise. Set a chicken patty on each bun bottom and top each with 2 strips bacon, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Cover with bun top.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per burger.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

670 (56% from fat)

Protein:

38g

Fat:

42g (sat 12)

Carbohydrate:

35g

Fiber:

2.7g

Sodium:

1121mg

Cholesterol:

138mg