Get ready to fire up your BBQ for this irresistibly delicious recipe: an Italian chicken burger sandwich with Mozzarella. If you are a fan of those delicious Italian flavors, juicy chicken, and a perfectly grilled burger, this recipe is for you.
The hamburgers are flavored with delicious herbs and spices and are a healthier alternative to the 'normal' burgers. And they are not only very easy to make, but also to adjust to your taste (although I don't think that will be necessary ;-)). So fire up the BBQ, collect your toppings, and get ready to sink your teeth into one of the tastiest burgers you'll ever taste!
Italian chicken burger sandwich with mozzarella and arugula
A hamburger the luxe of the grill, can it even get better? Yes, with this chicken burger.
Suppose you're a fan of burgers and Italian cuisine. In that case, I have a recipe you don't want to miss: a delicious recipe for a chicken burger with a mozzarella, tomato, and arugula topping!
This burger is a healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers, but don't be fooled: it's packed with delicious flavor and texture.
The chicken breast is finely grind and seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. The topping of fresh mozzarella cheese and peppery arugula gives a delicious twist to this classic burger.
I am super excited to share this recipe with you, as it has been a favorite in my family for a while now. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend barbecue. So, let's fire up the BBQ and prepare delicious Italian chicken burger sandwiches with Mozzarella!
What do you need for Grilled Italian-Style Chicken Burgers?
To prepare these Italian Chicken Burgers, you require the following ingredients. You can find the correct amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog:
- Chicken breast: For this recipe, I used chicken breast. But chicken breast fillets are, of course, also possible. And do you want to make it easy on yourself? Then you use minced or ground chicken.
- Breadcrumbs: Provides extra binding for the burgers.
- Garlic and shallot: For extra flavor to the burgers.
- Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano: Give the chicken burgers a delicious Italian flavor
- Buns: This Italian Chicken Burger is deliciously served on crispy ciabatta bread, brioche buns, kaiser rolls, or homemade buns.
- Cherry tomatoes: Buy the best cherry tomatoes you can get. And because it is one of the seasonings (and eye-catcher) of this recipe, this is highly recommended.
- Basil: A soft green herb with a spicy taste, a sweet aroma, and a little pepper.
- Egg: For binding the burger meat.
- Sunflower oil: Brush the burgers with oil so that they won't stick to the grill
- Mozzarella: Mozzarella is a soft cheese that melts wonderfully. The tastiest and only real Mozzarella is buffalo mozzarella. So really recommended. But if you can't gain weight, you can also use cow's milk Mozzarella.
- Arugula: Wonderfully peppery and it provides a bite. Arugula is a type of lettuce, and the disadvantage is that it wilts quickly. That's why you only add the vegetables at the last minute. This keeps it wonderfully crunchy.
How to prepare Italian Grilled Chicken Burgers
You can find a printable recipe with a detailed description at the bottom of this blog.
- Place the chicken in the bowl of the food processor and pulse until it is finely ground, and you have minced chicken. Add the breadcrumbs, onion, and egg to a bowl.
- Also, sprinkle the Italian herbs in the bowl and season with salt and pepper. Finally, start kneading the meat until everything is well-mixed.
- Now shape the meat into burgers. This can be done with a special hamburger press and by hand.
- Place the burgers on a plate and brush both sides with sunflower oil. Place in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, so they can stiffen. Grill for 5 minutes, then flip and grill for another 5 minutes. Check whether the chicken burgers are cooked; otherwise, extend the grilling time by 2 minutes on both sides.
To serve: Cut the sandwiches open and divide the arugula over the bottom. Place a chicken burger on top. Divide Mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil strips over the burger and place the other bun half on top. Serve right away!
This is delicious served with a caprese pasta salad and a watermelon fruit salad.
Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
- Pesto chicken burger: Mix two tablespoons of pesto through the minced meat instead of Italian herbs.
- Rosemary, thyme, and oregano: you can also replace it with a ready-made Italian spice mix.
- By making the chicken burgers and then allowing them to set in the refrigerator, you ensure they do not fall apart during grilling.
- Also tasty: brush the burger with some balsamic cream.
Yes, you can. The turkey is a bit firmer and the flavor will change slightly, but still very tasty.
Indeed you can, a grill pan is a good alternative to the BBQ. Ensure the grill pan is hot before you put the chicken burgers in the pan. Otherwise, they tend to stick to the pan.
Did you make this recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram. I enjoy seeing what your creation looks like. Video recipes can be found on my YouTube channel. And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest so you can easily find them next time!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken burgers
- 1½ pounds chicken breasts boneless
- 1 egg size L
- 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic squeezed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅙ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
Burger assembling
- 4 Chicken burgers see above
- 4 buns sliced in half
- 2 oz. arugula
- ¼ pound mozzarella cut into slices
- ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes Washed and quartered
- 10 leaves basil sliced into strips
Ingredients you need per step are listed below the step in Italic
Instructions
Chicken burgers
- Cut the chicken breast into small cubes and put into the bowl of the food processor (with knife). Pulse until you've got finely minced chicken.1½ pounds chicken breasts
- Put the chicken into a large bowl.
- Add the egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, and shallot1 egg, 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs, 1 shallot, 1 clove garlic
- Finally, add the dried herbs and salt and pepper to taste and mix.1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅙ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Make your hands moist and shape into 4 burgers or use a hamburger press.
- Brush the burgers with oil and place on a plate in the refrigerator so they can stiffen a bit.2 tablespoons sunflower oil
Chicken burger assembly
- Heat the grill or barbecue until it is very hot and grill the chicken on one side for 5 minutes, then turn and grill the other side for another five minutes.4 Chicken burgers
- Spread the arugula on the buns.4 buns, 2 oz. arugula
- Put the chicken burger on it and cover it with slices of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Top with basil.¼ pound mozzarella, ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes, 10 leaves basil
- Cover with the lid and serve.
Notes
- Pesto chicken burger: Mix two tablespoons of pesto through the minced meat instead of Italian herbs.
- Brush the burger with some balsamic glaze.
- Rosemary, thyme, and oregano: you can also replace it with a ready-made Italian spice mix.
You can keep the burgers, only without bun and topping. Let the cooked burgers cool down quickly before you store them, and store them immediately.
- Refrigerator: Keep the burgers covered in the fridge for two days.
- Freezer: Put the burgers in a freezer box and put baking paper between each chicken burger. This way, you can store them for up to 2 months. Then, let it thaw in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: You can warm the chicken burgers in the air fryer, oven, or stove. Or you grill them again until they are warm through and through.
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