She Cooks: Chicken Burgers with Spinach and Carmelized Onion

So, me and him are trying to eat healthy- me to continue with my weight loss, and him to win a Biggest Loser Challenge at work.  In order to support our efforts but still indulge in one of our favorites, I ditched the beef and made them chicken- not missing the beef for one second.  These burgers are delicious and full of flavor.  I served mine with cheddar on a lightly toasted rye bun with spicy mustard and ketchup, but you can, of course, dress yours as you like.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken

1/3 cup of cooked spinach, chopped (I used fresh but frozen is fine)

1 medium-large onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1-2 tbsp EVOO

1 tsp mayo

1 tbsp bread crumbs

1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp fennel seed

Salt and pepper to taste (I may have used a few other seasonings but those are up to you)

Cut onion into long, thin strips. Add 1 tsp of olive oil to a frying pan and saute onions until browned on medium heat.  Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.  The carmelization process will take about 10-15 mins since you want to carmelize the onions and not fry them.  Use a pinch of sugar to speed up the process if necessary.   Once the onions are softened and lightly browned, add garlic and rosemary to the mixture and saute until onions are completely carmelized.  Set onion mixture to the side in a large mixing bowl.  Add cooked spinach to bowl as well.

In the large bowl containing the onion and spinach mixture, add chicken, fennel, salt, pepper, and 1-2 tsp of olive oil, mayo, and bread crumbs.  Stir well with a large spoon or hands.  Use 1/3 cup measuring cup to form sliders or a half cup measuring cup to form regular patties.  Brown patties in large frying pan, or on a grill until the juices run clear and the center shows no pink.

Serve on toasted bun with all the fixings and enjoy!