Barbecue Chicken Burgers

Annie's Eats has become my baking go-to resource.  Her baked goods have been complicated and time consuming for me, but the results have been exceptional.  Annie's blog is more than just baked goods, though, and I've also made some delicious dinners from her recipes.  I saw this burger recipe come up in her facebook feed, and knew I'd be adding it to the meal plan soon.

I thought it was cool that she added a homemade BBQ sauce; I'm always on the search for one without high fructose corn syrup and/or low sugar.  This one has molasses and brown sugar, so probably not so much on the low sugar, but at least there's no corn syrup.

Definitely a yummy burger; we all loved it and it was a perfect pairing with the veggie skewers I served alongside.

Barbecue Chicken Burgers

Source: burgers from Pink Parsley Catering, sauce from Cook’s Illustrated, via Annie's Eats

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Yield: 4 burgers
Ingredients:
For the sauce:
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup molasses
2 tbsp. grated (or very finely chopped) onion
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Hot sauce, to taste

For the burgers:
1 lb. ground chicken
¼ cup cornmeal (or ½ cup crumbled cornbread)
1 scallion, minced
1 tbsp. minced fresh cilantro
2 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. paprika
¼ tsp. garlic powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2/3 cup chopped pulled pork (optional)
5 tbsp. barbecue sauce, divided

For serving:
Burger buns, toasted on the grill
Grilled onion slices
Sliced cheddar cheese
Additional barbecue sauce

Directions:
Heat a grill to medium-high heat.

To make the barbecue sauce, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and is reduced to about 1 cup, about 7 minutes.  Remove from the heat.  Chill until ready to use.

To make the burgers, combine the ground chicken, cornmeal, scallion, cilantro, brown sugar, spices, pulled pork (if using) and 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce in a medium bowl and mix gently until well combined.  Form the mixture into four equal patties.  Transfer to a plate and refrigerate until ready to grill.

Oil the grates of the grill.  Place the burger patties on the heated grill and cook about 3-4 minutes.  Flip the burgers and brush the cooked sides generously with some of the remaining 3 tablespoons of barbecue sauce.  Cook about 3 minutes, then flip once more and brush the second side with barbecue sauce.  Top with cheese slices, if using.  Cook just until cooked through and cheese is melted.  Place the burgers on the toasted buns and top with grilled onion slices and additional barbecue sauce as desired.