Tandoori-Style Chicken Burgers

To keep burgers juicy, resist the urge to press patties down during grilling.

Source
Everyday Food: Great Food Fast
Tandoori-Style Chicken Burgers
  • prep 40 mins
  • total time 40 mins
  • servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds (4 to 5) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into rough chunks

  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger (from a peeled 2-inch piece)

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

  • 1 tablespoon paprika

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • Vegetable oil, for grates

  • 4 (6-inch) whole-wheat pitas

  • 1 cucumber (8 ounces), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced on the diagonal

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs

  • Cumin yogurt sauce (see recipe below)

  • Watermelon slices (optional)

Directions

  1. Step 1

    Heat grill to medium-high. In a medium bowl, place chicken, scallions, ginger, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to combine. Set aside to marinate, at least 10 and up to 30 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Transfer chicken mixture to a food processor; pulse until roughly chopped, but not pasty, 10 to 12 times. Gently form mixture into sixteen 3/4-inch-thick patties (about 3 tablespoons each).

  3. Step 3

    Moisten a folded paper towel with oil; grasp with tongs and rub over grates. Season patties with salt and pepper; grill until opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

  4. Step 4

    For the Cumin Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; season with coarse salt and ground pepper.

  5. Step 5

    Halve pitas crosswise (toast on grill, if you like). Into each pocket, place 2 chicken patties, cucumber slices, and cilantro sprigs. Serve with Cumin Yogurt Sauce and, if desired, watermelon slices.

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Reviews (12)

  • klord
    24 Jun, 2012

    This was a great recipe! We loved it-super flavorful. If you're going to grill the pita, be careful not to over do it as we couldn't open them up and put the burgers in!
  • nblack
    26 Jul, 2011

    I love these--I have made them on several occasions and they always come out good. I grind the chicken thigh meat with my Kitchen Aid food grinder attachment.
  • Florasol
    19 Jul, 2009

    I made this receipe yesterday. Family love it. My only problem is that the patty's were falling appart. Any suggestions on how to make the patty stay together?
  • mothernature63
    22 Nov, 2008

    OMG! My family and I loved this recipe. Saw it on PBS and gave it a try! Did add Romaine lettuce just as a personal favorite. Delicious, simple, fast, and refreshing. Now searching for even more on what surely is a great site. Try it...you'll love it!
  • phoebew
    26 Jul, 2008

    I would like to see nutritional info on this site.
  • kathiguam
    23 Jul, 2008

    I'm going put the marinated chicken pieces into tin foil and throw it on the grill; then put it in a dish with the condiments served on the side. For cucumber, I'll use the small Persian ones from Trader Joe's and include cherry tomatoes and romaine lettuce.
  • camelyn
    23 Jul, 2008

    Or maybe you could substitute ground turkey and just mix in the ingredients?
  • atd527
    23 Jul, 2008

    If you have a good blender you may be able to use that. I have a kitchen aid blender that is pretty powerful and I use it as a food processor for everything! It works great!
  • FouFolle
    23 Jul, 2008

    Do you think you could chop the chicken mixture up finely by hand and then marinate? I don't have a food processor and have no space to add one to the kitchen so that bit would be tricky for me.
  • Regan
    16 Jul, 2008

    These were great! Instead of the cumin sauce, I mixed yogurt with lemon juice and chopped mint and cilantro. Will definitely make again.
  • volwithitall
    2 Jul, 2008

    I loved these. Much to my surprise, hubby even liked the cumin yogurt sauce!
  • kayteekline
    10 Jun, 2008

    I made these with ground turkey instead and really liked the burger however I found the yogurt cumin sauce was not a good combo. I would make these again but use a different sauce with them.
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