Carrot-Cardamom Chicken Burgers with Aioli Sauce
Adam Lambay's friend Robin made chicken-basil burgers for family dinners for years. He blended it with carrot-cardamom chicken and, voila! It was a natural progression to an Indian-spiced chicken burger. Note from Chef Adam: use ground chicken, a combination of dark and light meat. Do NOT use only ground chicken breast as it makes for a dry burger. Serves 4
Recipe Ingredients
- Carrot-Cardamom Chicken Burger
- - 1/2 cup Plain Breadcrumbs
- - 1 7-inch Carrot, finely shredded
- - 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- - 5 Large Fresh Basil Leaves, minced
- - 1 tbsp Methi (Fenugreek)
- - 1/2 tsp Ground Coriander
- - 1/4 tsp Ground Cardamom
- - 1 tbsp Mayonnaise
- - 1 lb Ground Chicken
- - Aioli (recipe below)
- Aioli Sauce (Yields approximately 1/2 cup)
- - 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- - 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- - 1 tbsp Methi
- - 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
- - 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- - Pinch of Black Pepper
Recipe Instructions
Carrot-Cardamom Chicken Burger (Prep time: 25 minutes)
- Start by heating your grill to 450°-500°F.
- While that’s heating up, place a sheet of wax paper on a plate or the kitchen counter. Pour the breadcrumbs into a heap in the center of the wax paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl mix the shredded carrot and salt with your hands until combined. You are drawing out the moisture of the carrots to keep the chicken moist on the high heat of the grill.
- Next add the fresh basil, methi, ground coriander, ground cardamom, and mayonnaise, and combine.
- Add the ground chicken and mix with your hands until combined.
- Divide the meat mixture into 4 even balls. Roll the balls in the breadcrumbs, coating them lightly. Breadcrumbs help keep the burgers from sticking to your hands and to the grill. Press into patties.
- Scrape and oil grill grates with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil.
- Cook the burgers about 3-4 minutes on each side. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F. Don’t overcook them. You want them juicy and delicious!
- Top with aioli, fresh cilantro, lettuce, onions, or whatever you please. Serve on a bun. For a low carb option skip the bun and wrap the burgers in lettuce leaves.
- Serving Suggestion: Heat up some frozen French fries and dust with Kosher salt, chili powder and garam masala for one more twist -- burger and fries Indian-style!
Aioli Sauce (Prep time: 5 minutes)
- Mix all the ingredients together and use as a condiment for the Carrot-Cardamom Burgers. Store any unused portion in the fridge for up to a week.