Chile Lime Chicken Burgers

 Chile Lime Chicken Burgers! Sassy, moist and absolutely a delight on the tongue. I generally don't make anything with ground chicken or turkey because I don't care much for it. I'm generally a beef girl....most of the time! However, I found these delicious little Chile Lime Chicken Burgers at our local Trader Joe's and although I really liked them, they weren't very thick or juicy. I took a photo of the ingredients and decided one day I was going to try making a homemade version. I finally did it and WOW! Everyone just loved them. They were easy and actually a nice change from burgers. (My husband NEVER eats ground chicken and he ate these and said they were delicious and hopes I make them again soon!)

I also like to have these at my BBQs along with burgers because we have quite a few friends and family members that don't eat beef. This is a nice alternative. I generally eat mine without a bun but I have also splurged and ate them on Udi's Gluten Free hamburger buns. Of course if you don't have a gluten allergy you can just eat them on a regular bun. None of the ingredients contain gluten so anyone can eat them. I like cooking basic meals that EVERYONE can eat! The uncooked chicken patties freeze great too. Just freeze any of them that you don't cook up right away and you will have them for a meal at a later date. These would also be great for a tailgate party!

Chile Lime Chicken Burger Recipe:

• 2 pounds of ground chicken or turkey
• 3 green onions, finely chopped (I used both the green & white parts!)
• 1/3 cup very finely chopped red bell pepper
• 3 tablespoons of minced garlic (I just used the garlic in a jar)
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Chipotle Chile powder (more if you like it spicy)
• 2 limes
• pinch of sea salt (or just use regular table salt)

Zest the peel of both limes. Combine the ground chicken or turkey with the lime zest, chopped green onions, finely chopped red bell pepper, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, Chipotle Chile powder, pinch of salt and squeeze the lime juice from both limes on top of all of it. Mix well. At this point, I refrigerate it for at least a couple of hours so the flavors blend. I have tried it both ways and the flavors are more intense if you let it sit for several hours or overnight before cooking. However, if you are in a hurry you can just go ahead and cook them but the flavors of the lime and chile won't be as intense. Make into patties and either grill them or cook in a skillet (I used my cast iron skillet for this batch in photo). I did spray a little cooking spray into the skillet just so they wouldn't stick because I bought very lean ground chicken. I personally don't think they need any cheese or condiments because the flavors are great just as they are but you can embellish them however you prefer.

 I hope you enjoy these very simple, very casual main dish item. We really like these and plan on making a batch next time we go camping. We try to do simple & casual meals when we go camping and if we are spending a weekend, I like to change it up a little with the main dish. This would be perfect.

Tanja
Gluten Free Casually