Chicken Queso Burgers

From the Kitchen of Emeril Lagase Candy and Troy Hilton made these to die for healthy chicken burger. We insisted on the recipe! This burger packs a lot of flavor without a lot of calories. Delicious and spicy!

Servings Chicken Burgers

Equipment

Gas or Charcoal Grill

Ingredients

2 eggs lightly beaten
6 ounces cheddar cheese grated (about 2 cups)
1 4- ounce can about 1/3 cup minced green chilies, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
3 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 ½ teaspoons salt
2 pounds ground chicken thigh meat
¾ cup fine unseasoned dry breadcrumbs note: Walmart brand plain breadcrumbs are Gluten Free.
1 ½ cups minced onions
1 cup olive oil
8 hamburger buns
Optional - Lettuce tomato, and mayonnaise, for garnishing top burger.

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, chilies, oregano, 1 ½ teaspoons of chili powder, the cumin, and 2 teaspoons of the salt. Add the ground chicken and the breadcrumbs, and mix until well blended, but don’t over mix. It will make the burgers tough. Divide mixture into 8 portions,, and shape each portion into a 1-inch-thick patty. Lay the patties on a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to grill.
Combine onions, 1 ¼ cup of the olive oil, remaining 1 1//2 teaspoons chili powder, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Divide the onion mixture evenly among the cut sides of the hamburger buns, and spread it out with a brush to coat.
Grill for 8 minutes each side. Or heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and cook burgers about 8 minutes per side.

Notes

If doubling ground chicken – don’t double minced green chilies or chopped onions. But DO double the spices, cheese, and bread crumbs.
5 Pounds of ground chicken makes 26 burgers, which freeze well. Grill frozen.