Solving the world's problems while fitting in our pants

Solving the world's problems while fitting in our pants

Monday, August 25, 2014

Making It Monday: The BEST Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Who doesn't love a good burger?  With Labor Day celebrations just around the corner, I know many of you will be firing up the grill to celebrate our last days of summer, so why not add a different twist to your burger menu for the party?

Why Buffalo Chicken?  Well Buffalo Chicken has all the great components of one of the most tasty burgers you will eat:  meat, cheese and spice. Pure burger bliss and yes, dietitian approved!



Ground chicken:  It is a great tasting and healthier substitute for ground beef and I personally like the taste of it better than ground turkey. Some tips for using ground chicken:  1) It does get a little gooey, please don't overwork it and always coat your pan or grill rack with a little non-stick cooking spray or canola oil to prevent it from sticking. 2) Most ground chicken is >93% lean and it will dry out if cooked to long. Make sure to watch the video to see my trick to keeping the burger moist and delicious! 3) Ground chicken is complimented well by a little seasoning. Use the same seasonings you use for regular burgers and get the same, great flavor. I recommend using half of what you normally do if there is sodium in your seasoning because of the high sodium content of the buffalo sauce we will slather on these burgers. 

Toppings:  When topping this burger use highly flavored, quality toppings. I do like use reduced-fat blue cheese crumbles and blue cheese dressing, less fat but same great taste. I do not skimp on the wing sauce because this really makes the burger. The broccoli slaw has much more flavor and crunch than regular cole slaw, not to mention higher nutrient quality. When choosing your bun, just remember to shoot for a bun around the size of your fist. I would rather have more meat/toppings than extra bread. 

These burgers are great leftover as well, so don't be scared to make a few extra. Just leave the saucy sauce off and add it when you reheat it later. Put this on your list for Labor Day and for any of your favorite upcoming tailgate fiestas!

-Crazy

Buffalo Chicken Burgers
Serves 4

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1/2  tablespoon sugar
8 ounces broccoli slaw (about 4 cups)
1 pound ground Smart Chicken
2 teaspoons McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
3 scallions, finely chopped
¼ cup finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon Hy-Vee olive oil
¼ cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce
4  hamburger buns, toasted
¼ cup chunky low-fat  blue cheese dressing


n medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and sugar. Add broccoli slaw and toss until thoroughly coated. Refrigerate until needed.

In large bowl mix together ground chicken, steak seasoning, scallions, and celery. Wet hands, and form into four, 1-inch-thick burger patties.

Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add burgers and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature is 165° F. Remove burgers and transfer to a plate to rest. Decrease heat to low and add buffalo wing sauce to pan. Return burgers back to sauce in pan, turning to coat both sides, about 1 minute. You can also grill these on medium flame for 5 minutes on each side. Warm sauce on low heat and dip the grilled burgers into the sauce.

Place burger on bottom of toasted bun, and top with marinated broccoli slaw. Drizzle with blue cheese dressing and top with hamburger bun top.


Adapted from: https://www.cafetecumseh.com/Recipe.aspx?recipe=gluten-free-buffalo-chicken-burgers&type=Entrees

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