Apple Cheddar Chicken Burgers Are an Unexpected Game-Changer

Sharing is caring!

Upgrade your burger game with our Apple Cheddar Chicken Burgers. Juicy chicken patties, melted cheddar, and a hint of sweetness from the apples. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.

 

This was the October burger challenge recipe. The October challenge included creating a burger with apples, squash, ancho chile pepper, and buttermilk.   Yeah. It’s a motley assortment of ingredients. But, then again, they’re all a motley assortment of ingredients. That’s kind of the point of the group.

 

I was late posting it because I didn’t get the squash part of the challenge taken care of. Initially, I planned on making pumpkin buns. Me and bread don’t have such a great working relationship. I love to eat it but it hates when I try to make it. One of these days I will take a bread baking class and figure it all out.  Or just decide that it’s a problem I want to solve and just keep trying until I figure it out.

 

 

Where do burgers come from?

 

Burgers are a staple in American cuisine and have been for decades.  Their origins date back to the late 19th century.  A doctor named Salisbury suggested people with digestive issues eat cooked ground beef patties.  These “Salisbury steaks” became popular with other physicians. 

 

While there are some controversies over who invented the hamburger, how it became popular is not controversial.  The St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 introduced this new fangled food.  It became a popular choice for fast, satisfying meals. There was a slight dip in popularity with the publication of The Jungle which detailed the less than savory parts of meat packing during that time. 

 

 

However, over the years, the burger has bounced back.  It has even evolved to include a variety of proteins, from turkey and fish to meatless veggie patties.  This makes for endless possibilities of flavor combinations. This evolution has led to unique flavor combinations like the apple cheddar chicken burger.

 

What does combining chicken and apples taste like?

 

Some cuisines pair apples and pork together.  So, I thought why not apples and chicken?  Chicken is light in flavor like pork.  It makes a burger delicious especially if you include added moisture to the ground meat. That’s what makes the apples perfect for chicken; it adds moisture to the burger.

 

 

The sweetness of the apples also complements the savory chicken.  This combination creates a delicious balance that tantalizes the taste buds and is a refreshing twist to the classic burger.  This new flavor sensation is a a must-try combination for anyone looking to experience unique and delicious burger.

 

Ingredients for these apple cheddar chicken burgers

Ground chicken

Produce – apples, Vidalia onion, zucchini

Pantry ingredients – garlic powder, black pepper, ancho chile pepper powder, poultry seasoning, bread crumbs, hamburger buns

Dairy – buttermilk, cheddar cheese

 

Instructions to make this burger recipe

 

If you don’t have ground chicken you can easily make some by pulsing some chicken breasts or, in this case, chicken thighs.  Pulse until the chicken a few times until it’s in large pieces.  Add the apple, onion, and spices to the chicken mixture and pulse a few more times until the chicken is coarsely ground then put the mixture into a mixing bowl.

 

This burger has additional moisture from moistened breadcrumbs.  Combine the breadcrumbs with the buttermilk and let them soak for 5 minutes before stirring in some shredded cheddar cheese.  Fold this mixture into the chicken mixture making sure not to overmix everything.  Form the chicken into 4 patties and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook and serve the burger.

 

Preheat your grill to high heat and add the burgers, cooking 5o to 7 minutes on each side.  Make sure to turn them a quarter turn halfway through the cooking time on each side.  This creates those epic burger grill marks.  When the burgers are almost done, put more shredded cheddar cheese on top and let the cheese melt.  Remove the burgers to a plate and tent with foil to let them rest.

 

 

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Burger

 

When it comes to cooking the perfect burger, there are a few tips and tricks that can take your burger game to the next level. First, make sure your grill or skillet is preheated to the right temperature and that it’s coated with oil so the burgers don’t stick.  Resist the urge to press down on the patties while they cook.  It’s okay to press them right after putting them on the heat, but don’t press down as they’re cooking because this can cause the juices to escape and make for a dry burger.

 

Avoid flipping the burgers too frequently.  This can prevent the burger from caramelizing which seals in the juices.  Let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side to develop a nice sear and lock in the flavor. Don’t overcook your burgers.  If you’re not sure, check the temperature with a thermometer.  These chicken burgers should be pulled at 165 because carryover cooking while they rest will bring it to 170 F.

 

 

How to Elevate Your Burger Experience

 

This burger already is elevated with the combination of apples and chicken all topped with homemade zucchini chips.  But if you want to elevate it even more, try adding some caramelized onions, avocado slices, or spicy aioli. With the ancho chili powder, some guacamole or even a lime crema would be the perfect topping for this burger.

 

Try changing up the bun.  A sweet brioche bun would highlight the sweetness of the apple.  Or maybe a onion bun to bring out the Vidalia onions in the mixture.  Or a fun pretzel bun that can stand up all the toppings of this burger.  I’m always fond of potato buns for burgers because they have a denser texture which stands up to this burger.  Another favorite of mine is a ciabatta bun like the one I used in this lamb burger. 

 

 

What do apple cheddar chicken burgers taste like?

 

For those that say chicken burgers are dry I’m here to tell you these are not dry.  The moistened breadcrumbs, the apples, and the onions make sure of that. They all combine for this sweet and savory flavor in your mouth that is just delicious. And I’m not a huge sweet and savory person. But these burgers were on the menu at least twice. They were that good.

 

The ancho chile pepper adds a nice little kick you’re not expecting. So does the Cabot seriously sharp Cheddar cheese. You don’t expect flecks of cheese throughout the burger like that. It does make for a rather intoxicating aroma as they’re cooking, though. Finally, the zucchini chips bring an earthiness to the burger you’re not quite expecting. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re microwave zucchini chips.

Awesome Apple Recipes

• Apple Cheddar Chicken Burgers from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Apple Fritter Bites from That Recipe
• Caramel Apple Sago from Magical Ingredients
• Cinnamon Fried Apples from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• How to Make Apple Pie Spice from Jen Around the World

We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!