Easy Juicy Apple Cheddar Sage Chicken Burgers

Easy Juicy Apple Cheddar Sage Chicken Burgers take that signature charcuterie board combo of apple and cheddar and turn it into a delicious healthy, affordable weeknight burger. These burgers take the savory-sweet combo to a whole new level: it has all the makings of an absolute flavor bomb. Oozy cheese, sweet apple, autumnal sage, all in a good-for-you package. If you like apple and cheese combos or fruity chicken salad— this is an absolute MUST try on your next menu.

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Burgers

Don’t over-mix the ground chicken

Ground chicken gets “tough” very quickly. To keep these burgers juicy, and light, make sure to stop mixing the burger mixture when it is just mixed.

Pan-fry or grill on a grill pan

Ground chicken is not as hearty of a hold as other ground meats like ground beef or sausage. I suggest cooking the burgers on a pan-like surface so that the burgers stay together better.

Cook the Chicken Burgers to 165 Fahrenheit

Make sure not to overcook the burgers. Keep your eye on the thermometer to maintain a juicy burger. 

Peel the apple

I love to add peels to other recipes, but this recipe is best without apple peels. Peel the apples before adding them to the mixture.

Select the right cheese and apple pairing

Using a sweet apple? Reach for a cheddar cheese. Using a more tart apple? Grab some Gouda.

The Ingredients

To make the best chicken burgers, you’ll need the ingredients listed below.

Ground chicken

Ground chicken is a super affordable protein, which makes excellent burgers and meatballs. You can find ground chicken in the meat section of nearly every grocery store, including Aldis.  Ground chicken tends to be an overlooked protein, while it is a bit softer than other ground meats, it does hold flavors well. Ground turkey can easily be exchanged in this recipe too. 

Sage

I love the autumnal taste that sage brings to this dish. Sage adds an herbal touch to the dish. Ground sage can be strong in taste, so I suggest adding in a little bit to season the chicken without overpowering the burgers. 

Apple

Use peeled, tiny cubes of baking apples in this dish. I tend to use a small gala apple in this recipe because they are a great baking apple and about the right size. Other baking apples like Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, etc will also work well. If your apple is a bit bigger make sure no more than a little under 3/4 cup of diced apples.

Cheddar

For the best taste go with a sharp cheddar cheese. I may be biased because I adore sharp cheddar cheese, but it works especially well with apples. Sharp cheddar packs in more flavor than its mild counterpart, and works best with a counteracting sweet apple. You can play around with other cheeses in this recipe such as mild cheddar, gouda, or even Swiss cheese. If you are using a sweeter apple-like gala, then go for a cheddar pairing. But if you use a tarter apple like a Granny Smith consider pairing it with a gouda cheese. 

Scallions

Onion turns this burger a little on the “meatloaf-y” but thinly chopped scallions add a more delicate pop of onion and gorgeous color to this burger. Adding in green onion helps these Cheddar, Apple, and Sage  Chicken Burgers edge a bit more on the savory side of the taste profile.

How Do You Make Easy Juicy Apple Cheddar Sage Chicken Burgers?

These juicy apple cheddar sage chicken burgers are so easy to make you will be making them all the time.

1. Peel and dice apples into 1/4in squares. Add the apples to a large mixing bowl.
2. Chop the scallion into small pieces, then add the green onion to the bowl with the apple.
3. Dice a 4oz block of cheddar into small 1/4 inch-sized dice. (You may use shredded cheese instead). Add the cheddar to the scallions and apples.
4. Add the salt, pepper, and ground sage to the mixture in the bowl and mix the ingredients well.
5. Next, add in the ground chicken and mix until just combined. Do NOT over-mix the chicken.
6. After the mixture is together, section the mixture off into 4 equal balls. Lightly pat each ball into a patty, while making sure not to overwork the mixture. Place the burger patties in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up the patties.
7. Chicken burgers are very soft, so make sure to carefully add the burgers to a grill pan (or indoor grill) or fry pan to keep them together. Cook the burgers until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 (about 4 mins on each side).
8. Place burgers on buttered and toasted brioche buns. Then top with your desired toppings and enjoy.
   

How Long Do These Burgers Last?

Keep the burgers covered and refrigerated. Chicken burgers will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the burgers (either cooked or the patties) for 6 months. If you are planning on making this recipe ahead of time, then prep the burgers and store them in the fridge for up to a day ahead.

What Toppings Should I Put On My Chicken Burgers?

These burgers are good just as is on a buttery brioche bun, but try adding a few toppings to take these healthy burgers to the next level. Here are a few of our favorite toppings:

• Traditional toppings: tomato, lettuce, and honey mustard.
• Charcuterie-inspired toppings: artisanal lettuce, apricot jam, slice of brie.
• Bacon: bacon, tomato, and Dijon mustard.

What Can I serve with my Easy Juicy Apple Cheddar Sage Chicken Burgers?

While these burgers are good on their own, you can serve your chicken burgers with your favorite burger sides. One of my absolute favorite sides for this recipe is some easy oven-baked crispy sweet potato fries.

Here are some other side dish ideas:

• Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad Copycat Recipe
• Fruit Salad
• Kettle cooked chips
• Chopped Veggies and honey mustard dip
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Healthy Homemade Maple Applesauce