Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers (aka Spanakopita Burgers) with Grilled Halloumi, Roasted Red Peppers and a Spinach and Feta Sauce

Spanakopita is a tasty Greek phyllo spinach and feta pie and I was thinking that the flavours would also be amazing in burger form; just perfect for summer grilling! I kept the patties nice and simple and yet packed them with flavour starting out using chicken for the base, though turkey would also be good, and I mixed in plenty of spinach and feta, along with some dill and green onions. Now these spinach and feta patties are super tasty just like this and I could easily eat them alone, or in burgers with lettuce, tomato and red onion as I had planned but I could not resist kicking things up a bit.

First off, I feel that every good burger should have bacon but it did not really fit the theme of these burgers so I went for the next best thing, grilled halloumi, which is almost as good as bacon and also an ingredient commonly seen in Mediterranean cuisine. Up next was a no brainer, roasted red peppers; and with that I thought that I was done but something kept nagging me... where was the cheese sauce? <spookyvoice>This burger needs a cheese sauce...</spookyvoice> Alright so I added a cheese sauce, a spanakoptia themed cheese sauce, starting with a bechamel base adding plenty of melted feta along with spinach and dill. With that final component my spanakoptia themed burgers, aka my spinach and feta chicken burgers with grilled halloumi, roasted red peppers and a spinach and feta sauce, were complete!



Just look at all of that tasty, ooey and gooey spinach and feta cheese sauce!


Now that's a mouthful! (Both the burger and it's name!)

Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers (aka Spanakopita Burgers) with Grilled Halloumi, Roasted Red Peppers and a Spinach and Feta SaucePrep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 30 minutesTotal Time: 45 minutesServings: 4

Spinach and feta chicken burgers themed after spanakopita (Greek spinach phyllo pie) with grilled halloumi, roasted red peppers and a spinach and feta sauce!

ingredients

For the sauce:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
• 2 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
For the burgers:
• 1 pound ground chicken (or turkey)
• 2 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup feta, crumbled
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons dill, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 buns, optionally toasted or grilled
• 1 cup spinach
• 8 ounces halloumi, sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 roasted red peppers, cut into 4 pieces

directions

For the sauce:
1. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat until frothy, mix in the flour and cook until a light golden brown, mix in the milk and simmer until it thickens, add the feta and cook until it melts, mix in the spinach, dill and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and remove from heat when the spinach wilts.
For the burgers:
2. Mix the chicken, spinach, feta, garlic, green onions, dill, salt and pepper, form into 4 patties, oil the grill, heat to medium high and cook the patties, about 4-5 minutes per side.
3. Grill the halloumi slices, about 2 minutes per side, and hit them with the lemon juice.
4. Assemble the burgers and enjoy!

Option: For a more pantry ready versions, replace 2 cups fresh spinach with 1/2 10 ounce package frozen spinach, squeezed and drained and replace the 2 tablespoons dill with 1 teaspoon dried dill.

Nutrition Facts: Calories 720, Fat 41g (Saturated 21g, Trans 0.3g), Cholesterol 243mg, Sodium 1324mg, Carbs 37g (Fiber 2g, Sugars 11g), Protein 50g Nutrition by:

Similar Recipes:
Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)
Greek Lamb Burgers
Moussaka Burgers
Spinach and Feta Quesadillas

Posted by Tutik W