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Spicy Poached Chicken Burgers

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rating chicagocook
This was a very healthy and flavorful dish.  I used chili-garlic sauce and it added a nice kick.  I would definitely make this again.

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Spicy Poached Chicken Burgers

  • healthy HEALTHY
ACTIVE TIME: 25 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN
SERVES: 6
James Boyce of Studio in the Montage resort in Laguna Beach, California, is a hard-core mountain biker. His devotion to fitness inspired him to do the nearly impossible: create moist, low-fat chicken burgers. Instead of grilling them, Boyce cleverly poaches the chicken burgers in a spicy broth, which he reduces to make a delicious topping.
ingredients
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup instant couscous
  • 2 pounds ground chicken
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint, plus several whole mint leaves for garnish
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted and finely chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 Hass avocados
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 jalapeño, partially seeded and minced
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 2 tablespoons harissa (see Note) or Asian chili-garlic sauce
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Six 6-inch pita breads, warmed
directions
  1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil and stir in the couscous. Cover the saucepan, remove from the heat and let stand until the water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, gently mix the ground chicken with the couscous, chopped mint, ground cumin, grated lemon zest, pine nuts and 2 teaspoons of salt. With lightly oiled hands, pat the chicken-couscous mixture into 6 burgers. Cover the burgers tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled.
  3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, coarsely mash the avocados with a fork. Stir in the lemon juice, jalapeño and shallot and season with salt.
  4. Preheat the oven to 325°. In a very large, deep skillet, bring the stock to a boil with the harissa. Season the burgers with salt and pepper. Set the burgers in the skillet and simmer over moderately low heat until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the burgers to a rimmed baking sheet, cover with foil and keep warm in the oven. Boil the poaching liquid over high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 6 minutes.
  5. Set the pitas on plates. Top with the chicken burgers and spoon some of the reduced sauce over them. Garnish the burgers with the avocado mash and the mint leaves and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The uncooked chicken burgers and the avocado mash (covered with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent discoloration) can be refrigerated overnight.

NOTES Harissa is available at Middle Eastern markets and specialty shops.

Search for easy-to-find bright, citrusy riesling
Recipe by James Boyce
From Great Burger Challenge
This recipe originally appeared in August, 2004.