Greek Inspired Chicken Burgers With Tzatziki Sauce

Before I start out this post I'd like to say Happy Canada Day (albeit a bit late!) and Happy 4th of July!  This is a time when we get to gather for picnics, barbecues, and such and grill all kinds of good food. And one of the best foods to throw on the grill are hamburgers!

The hubby and the little one both love it when I make hamburgers, but I don't like to make the same old burger all the time. I like to change the spices and also the meat to make them a bit healthier. So this time I decided to make a Greek flavored burger using ground chicken and lemon juice along with tzatziki sauce to go on it instead of your usual ketchup, mustard and mayo.

Greek Style Chicken Burgers 

(the measurements below are approximate :D)

• 1 pound ground lean chicken or turkey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon kalamata olives
• 1 teaspoon brine from olives
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• pinch of black pepper
• romaine lettuce
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 4 large mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• Pepperocinis, sliced (optional)
• 4 whole wheat hamburger buns

In a bowl, put the ground chicken and add in lemon juice, oregano, basil, olives, green onions, garlic, olive brine, feta cheese and black pepper. Using your hands, mix everything into the meat, making sure everything is mixed throughout the meat. Wrap with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for about 15 - 20 minutes.

While waiting on the meat, get the tzatziki ready and grill the mushrooms in a pan with just a little bit of olive oil (about a teaspoon if it's a non stick pan) over medium heat.

Remove the meat from the fridge and make into 4 equal parts. Roll the meat into balls, then flatten with the palm of your hand. Place on a hot grill or in the oven set on broil. Cook the patties for about 10 minutes, flipped half way through. The internal temperature should be at 165F and the juices should run clear.

Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cucumber, peeled
• 1 cup 0% plain yogurt or greek yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste

Using a cheese grater, grate the cucumber. Once grated, squeeze the extra liquid out of the cucumber and place in a bowl with the garlic.

For the yogurt, if you have enough time to do this before hand, place it in a cheese cloth and allow the extra liquid to drip away from the yogurt. This make the yogurt thicker and not so runny. If not, get the greek yogurt or you can do it with the regular yogurt, but make sure the bit of liquid that always sits on top is already drained away.

Put the yogurt into the bowl with the cucumber and mix together, seasoning with the salt and pepper.

Toast the buns on the grill or in the oven, keeping an eye on them so they don't burn.

Put a bit of the tzatziki sauce on the bun and layer with lettuce, burger, tomato, pepperocinis and grilled mushrooms.

This burger, is one of my favorites so far. It had plenty of Greek flavor that reminds me of chicken gyros with the lemon and the salty feta cheese and kalamata olives. The spicy pepperocinis are probably my favorite part though, as they are one of my favorite peppers! The hubby and the little one loved it too, so it was a hit with everyone at our home!