Grilling season is right around the corner! And I’ve been making a healthier version of a hamburger on the stove top lately, so it is now ready for the grill: chicken feta and spinach burgers.
By using ground chicken instead of beef, these burgers provide a healthier choice from the grill. I try to avoid red meat when I can, and these burgers make it easy!
The burgers are moist and delicious, with a nutrition boost from the spinach and a flavor punch from the feta cheese.
They’re the best of all worlds!
Why I love these healthy chicken burgers
I try to avoid red meat, but I also love a good burger. Making burgers from ground turkey or chicken is a great solution!
But those meats need a little help. They are dry and can sometimes lack taste.
The addition of feta and garlic really help to elevate the taste of these burgers! The egg helps to bind the burger together, as it can sometimes be a little fragile.
The result is a delicious burger! Tender inside, with a nice crusty exterior. I like mine with mayo and tomato, either with or without a bun. Try some tzatziki sauce to boost the taste even more! They could almost be considered Greek chicken burgers!
Ingredients
How to make these chicken feta and spinach burgers
Very little prep is needed. Simply mince a garlic clove and thaw out the spinach. Give that spinach a good squeeze to remove the excess liquid.
One way you can do this is with a fine mesh sieve. Just place the spinach in the sieve, then press with a spoon to squeeze the liquid out.
An alternate method is to use a thin cotton towel. Place the wet spinach in the towel and twist the towel over the sink. A couple twists will usually get most of the excess moisture out. Note: this might stain your towel a little, so make sure to use an old one that you don’t count on looking perfect.
Mix the ground chicken with the rest of the ingredients until they are well combined. Then divide the mixture into fourths and form 4 patties.
These patties need a little time to rest; it helps them hold together when cooking. I like to place them all on a piece of wax paper, as it makes it easier to remove them from the plate when it’s time to cook. Lightly cover and place the plate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Heat and lightly oil the grill or a frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the burgers and cook for 8 to 10 minutes before turning. Then cook 8 to 10 more minutes, until the burgers are done. The meat should be cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Tips for Success
The quality of your meat matters. I will only buy the ground poultry labeled “antibiotic free”; and free range is even better.
Another detail to look for is how the package is labeled regarding how lean the meat is. I usually see both 85% lean and 93% lean meat offered. Given the choice, I prefer the 85% lean. If you want a juicy burger, a little fat is necessary!
You can use fresh spinach if you prefer, but it will be easier to incorporate if you chop it fine, cook it a little and squeeze off the excess liquid. I use frozen because most of the work is already done for me. 😃
What to serve with these chicken burgers
I love salads with my burgers, they really round out the meal. You can never go wrong with an easy pasta salad, I tend to make mine with whatever veggies I happen to have on hand!
For something fast and easy, try making a quick batch of coleslaw. And a simple Greek salad or a balsamic cucumber tomato salad will be your best friends when fresh produce is abundant.
Ready to try some new flavors? Broccoli kale salad is one I never get tired of. And my Mediterranean spaghetti squash salad combines Mediterranean flavors with squash!
What about fries? Of course you can make some french fries, but you could also consider making yuca fries, the Dominican version.
More recipes for your grilling fun
If you want to grill some of your side dishes, I've got you covered! You can grill twice baked potatoes, or some peppers and onions in a grill basket. Wrap some broccoli in foil and grill that too!
If you want more meal choices, some Cajun grilled shrimp would be a delicious option. While you've got the skewers out, think about making some beef kabobs.
Or, go a whole different direction with pizza on the grill.
And for dessert? Grilled pineapple!
📖 Recipe
Chicken Feta & Spinach Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup frozen spinach – thawed and squeezed dry
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.
- Form mixture into 4 patties, Place on a plate (wax paper lined) and then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Preheat and lightly grease the grill or frying pan.
- Cook over medium heat, about 8 to 10 minutes per side, until cooked through. Meat should no longer be pink in the center when done.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Michelle Jump
Can I bake the patties?
Sula
I've never tried this but I'm sure it would work just fine!
Rebecca
Just made these for the first time and absolutely loved them! We made a few minor changes, but nothing that I think majorly altered the flavour.
We had some fresh kale on hand so I used that instead of spinach. I also didn’t have quite enough feta so I tossed in a bit of Parmesan as well. Lastly I added a sprinkle of paprika and onion powder because I like to always add some spices to my cooking.
We put some grilled mushrooms and caramelised onion on our burgers, as well as mixed lettuce leaves and chilli mayo. Looking forward to having these again!
Sula
Thank you Rebecca for the kind review. I've substituted kale for spinach in other recipes, and am always happy with the result, I'm so glad you used it for these burgers. I make them often!
Monica
Oh my goodness. This is such a simple but delicious recipe! You really get a big flavor bang with the feta. This is the second time in two weeks that we have made them and they will become a regular part of our meal rotation. Thanks for such a great and easy week night recipe!
Sula
Thank you Monica, I love hearing that people have added something to their rotation. It really is about having those recipes you can count on!
Gina Abernathy
These look so tasty. I love the way you use ground chicken and spinach in the mix. I'll have to try these chicken burgers with spinach next week.
Sula
I'm sure you will love them!
Shilpa
So flavourful and delicious. Loved it!
Sula
Thank you!
nancy
the chicken patty with spinach and feta was super juicy and i love sneaking in veggies whenever possible
Sula
I agree, it's great to be able to sneak in extra veggies whenever possible!
Emily Flint
Even though I had to wait 30 minutes for these to chill, it was worth it! The flavors in these burgers were soo good!
Sula
Thank you! Yes, they are super tasty, and you need to wait to make sure the burgers hold together while cooking. Definitely worth it!
Giangi Townsend
That looks amazing! I needed a new recipe for this weekend and I will absolutely make this. Thank you for all the tips and suggestions.
Sula
You're very welcome!
Judith
Great recipe and easy to make too!
Sula
My favorite kind!
Jean
the Spinach added a great taste and flavor.
Sula
Yes, and a ton of nutrition too!
Jerika
Awesome combinations of ingredients! Love it! Thanks.:)
Sula
So glad you like these burgers! They are my new favorite!