I shared this recipe quite some time ago, but we had them again last week. I feel it’s necessary to enlighten you about them once again, if you haven’t made them yet. These miniature patties of goodness fit every value I have for a family meal:
Tasty? Check.
Kids like them? Check.
Easy to make? Check.
Healthy? Check.
Freezable? Check.
Without further ado, I give you an early Christmas gift of Mini Chicken Burgers with Herbs. A printable recipe is at the bottom of the post.
Mini Chicken Burgers with Herbs
Ingredients
2 pounds ground chicken (or turkey)
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs (Here is how to make your own)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
1. In a large bowl, use a fork to combine the ground chicken, garlic, parsley, oregano, and lemon juice. Season with the salt and pepper. Form the meat into 16 small patties.
2. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish. Coat each patty in the crumbs, turning to coat and pressing so the crumbs adhere; set aside. (In the picture below, I made the patties a little bigger).
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add some of the patties and cook, turning once, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes total. (If the patties brown before they’re cooked through, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and continue to cook for a few minutes more.) Repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
4. Serve plain or on mini buns. Top with your favorite burger toppings. Or, for an Italian twist, top with warm marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Freezer Meal Instructions:
To freeze: Form the chicken mixture into patties and coat in the bread crumbs. Place the patties on a parchment or wax paper lined baking sheet in a single layer and set in the freezer to flash freeze for about an hour. After they are frozen, transfer to a large resealable bag and store for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Cook according to the recipe.
(Update on 3/14) I recently made these with turkey and found that they went great with homemade wheat rolls or homemade hamburger buns. I also liked them with either ketchup or with pesto sauce. They made great leftovers for lunches!
Prep Time:
Yield:
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Mini Chicken Burgers with Herbs are kid-friendly, healthy and tasty! Freezer meal instructions included. This meal is a winner again and again!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken (or turkey) (I used Smart Chicken b/c it is hormone and antibiotic-free meat)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs (I use toasted whole wheat bread to make my own or Panko)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use a fork to combine the ground chicken, garlic, parsley, oregano, and lemon juice. Season with the salt and pepper. Form the meat into 16 small patties.
- Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish. Coat each patty in the crumbs, turning to coat and pressing so the crumbs adhere; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add some of the patties and cook, turning once, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes total. (If the patties brown before they’re cooked through, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and continue to cook for a few minutes more.) Repeat with the remaining oil and patties. Serve plain or on hot-dog buns halved to match the miniature size of the burgers.
Notes
Freezer Meal Instructions:
To Freeze:
Form the chicken mixture into patties and coat in the bread crumbs. Place the patties on a parchment or wax paper lined baking sheet in a single layer and set in the freezer to flash freeze for about an hour. After they are frozen, transfer to a large resealable bag and store for up to 3 months.
To Prepare:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Cook according to the recipe.
Can I cook these then freeze them for my family to reheat?
Yes, you certainly can.
Burgers are yummy. I made 4 big ones and served them with spaghetti squash and marinara per your good suggestion. Thanks for the recipe. Will make again!
Yummy! Sounds delish.
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Just found your website when I was looking for freezer meals. I’m in Australia but my sister and her husband are coming for a month’s visit from the US. I wanted some different meals to freeze and was so excited to see such a variety here! Such a blessing…thanks so much for such a great site! Can’t wait to try them out!
Great idea to stock up for the family!! That way you can enjoy relationship time and not stress about food. Have a wonderful visit.
Oh. My. God. These were soooo good! I didn’t make the mini versions and they made fantastic, juicy burgers. Love the idea of the lemon juice. Thanks!
Oooo, that’s awesome that they were a hit. I’m obsessed with them, too.
Hey Rachel, I tried these burger patties and they turned out so beautiful! My entire family enjoyed it. Thanks a ton! Brilliant recipe and its so easy! I loved it! 😀
Awesome to hear, Janhavi! I need to make these again soon. Miraculously, no one ever complains at dinner with these.
JUST HAPPENED ON THIS GREAT PAGE ANAD THESE WONDERFUL SUGGESTIONS AS I WAS SIGNING UP FOR TAKE THEM A MEAL.
LOVE these recipes and really cant wait to try some of them. The family
we are signing up for have two little girls so was looking to see something I could add to my chicken n dumplings meal that the kids might enjoy..just in case, Going to do these chicken burgers for sure. They sound so great and would be great for them to have on hand even for a lunch if they don’t use for /with my dinner. Going to get myself signed up for sure..and love your presentation and directions for the recipes!! How could I not be successful with so much help from you. Thanks so Much!!
Thanks Mary Anne. It’s always encouraging to hear that our recipes (and blog in general) is helpful, so thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. In my humble experience, these chicken burgers are always a win.
I made these and they were so yummy! Everyone loved them, but my picky eater she saw the parsley. Next time I’ll make it smaller :)Thank you for the delicious recipe, I’m always nervous trying a new recipe off the internet since everyone has different taste, but this was great!
Oh those keen eyes of picky eaters! 🙂
Did you ever BBQ these? Would prefer to as oppose to frying on oil
Tnx
Hi Sue, I have not grilled them. If you do, I would suggest not dipping them in the bread crumbs. You could stir some of the bread crumbs into the mixture, though. We just had these last night and they are so flavorful. Hope you enjoy them and the grilling works out. I think it sounds yummy.
Thanks so much. I would love to get Into freezing a bunch of meals and the ones on this site look awesome! Keep them coming 🙂
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