Italian Chicken Burgers with Marinara, Mozzarella, Pesto, and Greens Recipe
A delicious and flavorful Italian Chicken Burger recipe featuring ground chicken mixed with Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and fresh herbs, pan-seared to juicy perfection, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, and served on toasted buns with pesto and greens.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
For the Chicken Patties
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking and Topping
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons marinara sauce, plus more for serving
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 tablespoons pesto
- ½ cup spinach or arugula, for serving
Instructions
- Mix the seasonings: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, minced garlic, sliced green onions, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- Add chicken and combine: Add the ground chicken to the seasoned mixture and gently mix until all ingredients are evenly combined without overworking the meat.
- Form patties and chill: Shape the mixture into 4 even patties. Place the patties on a plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the patties firm up.
- Cook the patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken patties and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until they are thoroughly cooked and nicely browned on both sides.
- Add marinara and cheese: Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of marinara sauce on top of each burger, then layer each with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
- Broil the burgers: Set your oven broiler to HIGH. Transfer the skillet with patties (if oven-safe) or place patties on a baking sheet. Broil the burgers for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove carefully from the oven.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on the cut side of each top bun. Place some spinach or arugula on the bottom bun, then add the cooked burger patty on top of the greens. Optionally, spread additional marinara sauce on the patty, then cover with the pesto-topped bun. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet for seamless cooking and broiling; otherwise, transfer the cooked patties to a baking sheet before broiling.
- Chilling the patties before cooking helps them hold together better and improves flavor.
- Add extra marinara sauce or greens according to your taste preference.
- Ensure the chicken patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
