Spicy Hoisin Chicken Burgers
Ginger, hoisin, soy sauce and sambal oelek bump up lean and mild ground chicken. Topped with sesame and lime-marinated mushrooms, plus more hoisin and sambal oelek, these burgers are bursting with flavor.
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Box Grater
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting Board
Ingredients
Main
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 small carrot
- 1 small red onion halved
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/4 cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated peeled ginger
- 4 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons hot Asian chili sauce such as sambal oelek
- 8 ounces white mushrooms thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 whole-wheat sesame hamburger buns
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Mist a baking sheet with cooking spray. Grate the carrot and 1/2 onion into a large bowl. Add the chicken, panko, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, the ginger, 3 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sambal oelek and mix until combined. Shape the chicken mixture into 4 patties and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, thinly slice the remaining 1/2 onion. Toss with the mushrooms, sesame oil, lime juice and the remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce in a bowl. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce and 2 teaspoons sambal oelek with 1 tablespoon water in another bowl. Warm the hamburger buns in the oven. Serve the burgers on the buns with a drizzle of the hoisin-sambal sauce and some of the mushroom mixture.
Notes
For perfectly juicy chicken patties, avoid overmixing the ground chicken, which can lead to a tough texture. The grated carrot and onion add moisture and a subtle sweetness that balances the spicy hoisin. While baking is convenient, pan-searing or grilling the patties after baking can achieve a beautiful crust, adding another layer of texture. Always ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature. Don't skip warming the buns; it significantly enhances the burger experience. For an extra pop of flavor, consider adding fresh chopped cilantro to the mushroom mixture or a squeeze of lime juice directly onto the patty before serving. Adjust the sambal oelek to your preferred spice level.