Get ready to dive into the incredible flavors of the Mediterranean with these Greek-inspired Chicken Burgers! Packed with spinach, crumbled feta, and savory spices, these burgers are not just healthy but loaded with taste. Topped with a creamy feta cheese spread, homemade tzatziki sauce, and fresh veggies, these burgers will quickly become a family favorite. Whether served on a soft brioche bun, wrapped in lettuce, or stuffed in pita bread, this burger is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend cookout!
When I first made these chicken burgers, I had no idea they would become a summer BBQ staple in our household. I wanted something light yet flavorful that wouldn’t leave us feeling weighed down. Enter the magic trio: feta cheese, spinach, and a hint of garlic. The combination of the juicy chicken patties, tangy feta cheese spread, and refreshing tzatziki sauce took me right back to our trip to Greece. Every bite feels like a mini getaway, and now it’s a go-to recipe for every grill night!
Why These Greek Chicken Burgers?
- Bursting with Mediterranean Flavor: Juicy chicken burgers combined with fresh spinach and feta cheese, seasoned to perfection with oregano and garlic.
- Creamy Feta Cheese Spread: A rich, tangy spread that enhances the burger’s flavor profile, adding a creamy texture to every bite.
- Tzatziki Sauce: Made with Greek yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and dill, this refreshing sauce adds brightness and freshness to the dish.
- Health-Conscious Options: Whether served on a brioche bun, as a lettuce wrap, or even in a pita, these burgers are adaptable for low-carb, keto, or gluten-free lifestyles.
- Easy to Make Ahead: Both the feta cheese spread and tzatziki sauce can be prepared in advance, making these burgers a great choice for meal prep or gatherings.
Ingredients:
For the Feta Cheese Spread:
- 2 oz feta cheese (55 g)
- 4 oz cream cheese (115 g)
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper (0.5 g / 0.01 oz)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (240 g / 8.5 oz)
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup English cucumber, finely chopped (85 g / 3 oz)
- 2 tablespoons dill, finely chopped (8 g / 0.3 oz)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (1.5 g / 0.05 oz)
- Dash of freshly ground pepper
For the Chicken Burgers:
- 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out (280 g)
- 1 lb ground chicken, 93% lean (450 g)
- 4 oz feta cheese, finely crumbled (115 g)
- ¼ cup almond meal or breadcrumbs (30 g / 1 oz)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 150 g / 5.3 oz)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt (6 g / 0.2 oz)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (2 g / 0.07 oz)
- 1 teaspoon oregano (1 g / 0.03 oz)
- 4 brioche buns (or lettuce wraps/pita for low-carb options)
For the Chicken Burger Toppings:
- 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
- Green leaf lettuce, washed and dried
- English cucumber, thinly sliced
- Red onion, thinly sliced
Directions:
For the Feta Cheese Spread:
- Combine the ingredients: Add the feta cheese, cream cheese, minced garlic, ground pepper, and lemon juice into a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat and mix: Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. If there are still lumps, microwave for another 15-30 seconds until smooth and creamy. (Alternatively, blend in a food processor until smooth.)
- Make ahead option: You can prepare this spread a day in advance if you’d like.
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- Mix the ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Chill: Refrigerate until ready to use. The sauce can also be made a day ahead.
For the Chicken Burgers:
- Prepare the spinach: Thaw the spinach in the microwave and allow it to cool. Once cooled, squeeze out all the excess liquid.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, spinach, crumbled feta, almond meal (or breadcrumbs), onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Form patties: Shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.
Grilling the Chicken Burgers:
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to 450°F (230°C). If using mesquite smoke chips, place them in a smoker box over the heat for about 7 minutes until smoking.
- Grill the burgers: Spray the chicken burgers generously on both sides with grilling spray. Place on the grill and cook for 5 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Assemble the Burgers:
- Prepare the buns: Smear the inside of each bun with the feta cheese spread.
- Build the burgers: Add the grilled chicken burger to the bun and layer with tomato slices, lettuce, cucumber, and red onion. Spoon some tzatziki sauce on top.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with your favorite side, or for a low-carb version, serve on a bed of lettuce or in a pita.
Notes:
- Low-Carb Option: If you’re following a keto or low-carb diet, swap the brioche buns for lettuce wraps or serve the burger in a pita.
- Make-Ahead Components: Both the feta cheese spread and tzatziki sauce can be prepared a day in advance, allowing for a quicker meal assembly.
- Meal Prep: You can make the chicken patties ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners!
