Description
These Apple Butter Onion Chicken Burgers combine juicy ground chicken patties flavored with apple butter and aromatic spices, topped with melted smoked Gouda cheese and sweet caramelized onions infused with apple butter. Perfectly grilled or pan-cooked, these burgers offer a unique sweet and savory twist on a classic favorite, ideal for a delicious meal in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Burger Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Musselman’s apple butter
- 2 tablespoons finely minced cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup grated smoked Gouda cheese
- 4 full-size burger buns or 6 slider buns
Caramelized Onion Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup Musselman’s apple butter
Instructions
- Prepare the burger mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, 1/4 cup apple butter, finely minced cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and ground pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Using your hands makes mixing easier.
- Form the patties: Shape the mixture into either 6 slider-sized or 4 full-sized burger patties, depending on your preference.
- Cook the burgers (Grill method): Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the patties on the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fully cooked. During the last minutes of cooking, top each burger with grated smoked Gouda cheese and allow it to melt.
- Cook the burgers (Pan method): Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until the bottom side is browned, then flip and cook until the other side is browned and the patties are fully cooked. Add the cheese on top and let it melt before removing from the pan.
- Prepare the caramelized onions: Peel the onion, trimming off the ends, then cut in half and thinly slice. In a 12-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until hot.
- Cook the onions: Add sliced onions to the skillet along with kosher salt and pepper. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized.
- Add apple butter to onions: Stir in 1/4 cup of apple butter with the caramelized onions and combine well. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Assemble the burgers: Place the cooked chicken patties with melted cheese on the burger buns, then top with the apple butter caramelized onions.
Notes
- Using ground chicken keeps the burgers light and lean but juicy with the addition of apple butter and bread crumbs.
- The smoked Gouda cheese adds a wonderful smoky flavor complementing the spices.
- You can use either full-size buns or slider buns depending on portion preference.
- Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing their natural sweetness and works perfectly with the apple butter.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the salt and pepper added to the onions and burger mixture.
- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
