White Cheddar and Spinach Chicken Sliders

I hope this "mini" food thing sticks around for awhile....cause it is a "thing" right? Food tastes better when all it's goodness is limited to a few square inches.

And as I'm a sucker for a good burger, I MUST order the sliders that have popped up on appetizer menus all over the place. The bonus? Portion control is now a cinch slightly easier undertaking.

I came across my inspiration for these on Pinterest. Another blogger had adapted her recipe from a pre-made Sabatino's chicken patty available at Costco. I changed a few things and ultimately decided on a slider format. Slider buns are increasingly easy to find in grocery stores, but these will also work as a larger patty on a standard size bun if need be. I'd also recommend making up a batch of carmelized onions for use in this recipe. Carmelizing onions is easy but not a process that can be hurried. It's best to have made them ahead of time. If this doesn't fit into your schedule feel free to substitute about 1/2 a small, raw onion, finely chopped.

 

White Cheddar and Spinach Chicken Sliders

Author: Erin

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb ground chicken breast


• 3 oz fresh baby spinach


• 1/4 c carmelized onions


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• 3 oz aged white cheddar, shredded


• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar


• 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated


• 2 tsp soy sauce


• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper


• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste


• 1/4 c panko bread crumbs


• 8 slider buns


• desired burger toppings

Instructions

1. Wilt spinach in a skillet with a few teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Stir them around constantly and remove from pan when softened and reduced in volume.


2. In food processor, pulse wilted spinach, onions, and garlic a few times until finely chopped, but not so much as to puree.


3. In a large bowl whisk together balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, soy sauce, cayenne pepper, and salt.


4. Add ground chicken, spinach mixture, white cheddar, and panko to same large bowl and gently mix together (with your hands preferably!)


5. Shape mixture into 8 small patties and cook in skillet over medium high heat until cooked through, turning once. Approximately 4-5 minutes per side.


6. Assemble burgers, garnishing as desired. Serve.

3.2.1230