Spiced Chicken Burgers
A good burger is hard to beat! I like a beef one with all the trimmings like bacon, cheese and mayo, American style. But even I have to admit that this does fall into the category of "sometimes" food. I also think a beef burger is best done on a bbq or grill for that slightly smokey flavour. However here is the good news! No, wait, it's great news! A good burger can be whipped up as part of your weekly menu and it doesn't have to be over indulgent or cooked on the bbq.
A great alternative to the beef burger is to use chicken breast for the filling. It's nice and lean and a great source of protein and it also usually pleases most dinner table guests. Usually cooking a lean cut like chicken breast is best done in the pan - quickly searing it for a few minutes on both sides. Cooking these types of protein in the oven usually equals rubbery and dry. But the beauty of the Combi Steam means you can use steam to keep the inside moist and tender while the Hot Air or convection heat gives you a nice finish on the outside.
This burger has lots of flavour and can be served with a side of wedges to make it feel like a real treat even thought it's actually quite nutritious. You could even use sweet potato for those if you wanted to veg up even more. And there is hardly a drop of oil let alone a fry pan or deep fryer in sight thanks to the Combi Steam! Ya gotta love that!
Spiced Chicken Burgers with Wedges
(serves 6)
Ingredients:
6 small chicken breasts (skin off) (around 150g each)
6 good quality bread rolls
1 tbs smoked paprika
1 tbs ground cumin
1 tbs ground coriander
2 tbs ground oregano
zest of 2 lemons (reserve flesh for juicing later)
s&p
3 cups baby spinach, rocket or other salad leaves
2 medium ripe tomatoes
1 ripe avocado
sauce/dressing: ½ cup Greek yoghurt, 2 tbs mayonnaise, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1 bunch chives (chopped)
wedges: 4 medium all purpose washed potatoes peel on (or 1 large sweet potato - peeled or scrubbed well), 1 tbs dried rosemary, 2 tbs grated parmesan, olive oil spray
Method:
Cut the potatoes (or sweet potato) into wedges around the size of a "frozen" wedge. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Spread the wedges over the tray. Spray with some olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the rosemary and parmesan. Place the tray into to the bottom position of the Combi-Steam.
Select Hot Air+Steaming/Combination Steam. (For variable steam set 30% or low/medium.) Set the temperature to 230°C.
Line a second baking tray with baking paper. Combine the paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano and lemon zest with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken fillets pressing with your hands to get it to stick. Spray each fillet lightly on both sides with olive oil spray and lay on the lined tray.
Add the chicken to the oven. Cook for 15 minutes or until both the chicken and wedges are cooked through and the wedges are golden.
Meanwhile cut the rolls in half and set aside. Slice the tomatoes. Mash the avocado and combine it with the juice from one lemon and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Wash and dry your salad leaves if needed. Combine the yoghurt, mayonnaise, mustard and chives with the juice from the second lemon. Set all accompaniments to the side.
When cooked to you liking, remove the chicken and set aside to rest. (If you have a warming drawer - here’s where you use it!)
Remove the wedges once cooked, golden and tender, and place in a serving bowl.
Warm the rolls if you like in the oven for a minute or two.
Spread a little avo on top of each roll and a little yoghurt dressing on each bottom. Top the yoghurt dressing with a chicken piece, some tomato and salad leaves. Add the top of the roll and serve alongside the wedges with the remaining yoghurt dressing to dip.
Tips:
*You can do a combination of sweet potato and potato wedges if you like.
*For vegetarians place a good quality commercial veggie burger patty in the oven instead of the chicken then follow the recipe.
Try these ones for an easy all in one meal that gives you the feeling of something a bit naughty without much of the guilt. I love them and hope you do too!
Happy Combi-Steaming!
Yours in the kitchen,
The CSQ. x