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White Cheddar Spinach Chicken Burgers

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Lean ground chicken comes together with white cheddar and fresh spinach to create juicy, flavorful burger patties. Gently mix the chicken, cheese, greens, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, then shape and cook the patties until golden and fully cooked. Serve on toasted buns with toppings like lettuce, tomato, or avocado. These burgers pair well with salads or fries and can be made gluten-free or prepped ahead for easy meals. They're also delicious served bunless, on a bed of greens, or tucked into a grain bowl. Their fresh taste makes them a crowd-pleaser for quick dinners or casual gatherings.

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A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Created By Sarah
Last updated on Thu, 15 May 2025 00:30:49 GMT
A burger with lettuce and cheese. Save
A burger with lettuce and cheese. | sarahmeal.com

White Cheddar and Spinach Chicken Burgers are a fresh take on the classic burger night craving. Lean ground chicken forms a juicy base that soaks up flavor from simple yet lively add-ins like chopped spinach and sharp white cheddar. Every bite feels lighter than your average burger but brings serious satisfaction thanks to savory mix-ins and melty cheese.

I first made these on a summer night when I wanted something hearty and clean. My family loved the gooey cheddar bits and the fact that you could pile on all your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

  • Ground chicken: brings a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with all the seasonings and easily stays moist when cooked
  • Fresh spinach: offers vibrant color and boosts nutrition aim for bright green leaves with crisp stems
  • Shredded white cheddar cheese: melts beautifully and gives every bite a creamy tangy edge choose a block and shred your own for best melt
  • Breadcrumbs: help bind the burgers and keep them juicy panko adds lightness but classic fine crumbs work too
  • Finely chopped onion: creates a subtle sweetness choose firm onions with no soft spots
  • Minced garlic: boosts savory depth pick plump unblemished cloves
  • Dijon mustard: lifts the burger’s flavor and gives a gentle bite look for smooth creamy Dijon
  • Worcestershire sauce: infuses umami richness and complexity
  • Salt and black pepper: sharpen all the savory flavors freshly ground is worth it here
  • Olive oil: prevents sticking and helps the patties brown evenly use extra virgin for best flavor
  • Burger buns: provide a soft pillowy base check for fresh texture or try brioche for a richer bite
  • Optional toppings: let you customize from crisp lettuce to creamy avocado all add extra freshness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix the Burger Base:
Gently combine ground chicken chopped spinach shredded white cheddar breadcrumbs onion garlic Dijon mustard Worcestershire sauce salt and black pepper in a large bowl using clean hands or a spoon to mix just until blended. Avoid compacting the mixture too much so the patties stay tender.
Shape the Patties:
Divide the mixture into four even portions and shape each into a patty about half an inch thick. The mix will feel soft so handle gently and set shaped patties onto a plate.
Cook on Skillet or Grill:
Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Once hot place the patties on the pan and let cook undisturbed for five to six minutes per side. Look for a golden-brown crust and make sure the center reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safety.
Rest and Finish:
Transfer cooked patties to a plate and let them rest for a few minutes so juices redistribute and the burgers stay extra juicy when you bite in.
Build the Burgers:
If you like toast your buns until golden. Assemble each burger by layering a warm chicken patty onto the bun and adding toppings such as lettuce tomato slices avocado or a bit more white cheddar.
A burger with lettuce and chicken. Save
A burger with lettuce and chicken. | sarahmeal.com

My favorite part about making these burgers is seeing the gooey cheddar melt out the sides. It reminds me of making grilled cheese with my mother and always scraping up the crispy cheesy bits from the pan.

Storage Tips

Keep leftover cooked patties refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days. They also freeze beautifully for up to three months when wrapped individually. For best results reheat in a skillet over low heat to bring back their crispiness and juicy center.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have ground chicken try ground turkey which offers similar light flavor and texture. You can swap in baby kale for spinach if you prefer. For a dairy-free version use a plant-based cheddar or skip the cheese and add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for savory depth.

A burger with cheese and lettuce on a black plate. Save
A burger with cheese and lettuce on a black plate. | sarahmeal.com

Serving Suggestions

Serve these burgers on toasted buns piled high with lettuce and tomato or skip the bun and let a patty shine in a grain bowl with brown rice and roasted vegetables. Sweet potato fries or a crisp green salad round out the meal beautifully.

Burger Origins

Chicken burgers gained popularity as a leaner swap for beef especially as folks look for lighter ways to enjoy comfort food. Adding spinach and white cheddar is a nod to the way home cooks are sneaking extra veggies and big flavors into every bite.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I make these chicken burgers gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs and use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for serving.

→ What toppings go well with these burgers?

Classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, extra white cheddar, avocado, or red onion all pair deliciously with these burgers.

→ Can I grill the patties instead of pan-cooking?

Absolutely. Just make sure your grill is clean and well-oiled to prevent sticking. Cook until the patties reach 165°F inside.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Wrap any cooked patties individually and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat before serving.

→ Is it possible to prepare these burgers ahead of time?

You can form the patties and refrigerate them raw, covered, for up to a day before cooking for convenience.

→ Do I need to use chicken, or can I swap proteins?

While ground chicken keeps these lighter, you may substitute with lean turkey if preferred for a similar result.

White Cheddar Spinach Chicken Burgers

Tender chicken patties with spinach and white cheddar, perfect on buns with your favorite toppings.

Preparation Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
12 minutes
Total Duration
32 minutes
Created By: Sarah

Recipe Category: Main Dishes

Level of Difficulty: Simple

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yield: 4 Portion Size (4 chicken burgers)

Diet Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Patty Mixture

Ingredient 01 450 g ground chicken
Ingredient 02 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
Ingredient 03 60 g white cheddar cheese, shredded
Ingredient 04 30 g breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if preferred)
Ingredient 05 40 g onion, finely chopped
Ingredient 06 2 garlic cloves, minced
Ingredient 07 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Ingredient 08 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Ingredient 09 Salt, to taste
Ingredient 10 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cooking and Assembly

Ingredient 11 Olive oil, for cooking
Ingredient 12 4 burger buns

→ Optional Toppings

Ingredient 13 Lettuce leaves
Ingredient 14 Tomato slices
Ingredient 15 Extra white cheddar cheese
Ingredient 16 Avocado slices
Ingredient 17 Red onion rings
Ingredient 18 Preferred condiments

How to Make It

Instruction 01

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground chicken, chopped spinach, shredded white cheddar, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until just incorporated, avoiding overworking the meat.

Instruction 02

Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form each into a patty approximately 1.25 cm thick. Handle gently, as the mixture will be soft.

Instruction 03

Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Once hot, cook the patties for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 75°C. Do not press down on the patties during cooking to maintain juiciness.

Instruction 04

Transfer cooked patties to a plate and let them rest for several minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Instruction 05

Toast burger buns if desired. Place each patty on a bun and add chosen toppings such as lettuce, tomato, extra cheddar, avocado, red onion, or condiments. Serve immediately.

Additional Tips

  1. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and buns or serve in lettuce wraps.
  2. Burgers can also be grilled on a well-oiled, clean grill to prevent sticking.
  3. Form patties ahead and refrigerate, covered, for up to one day before cooking.
  4. Leftover cooked patties may be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to three months; reheat before serving.
  5. Excellent served without a bun atop greens or in a grain bowl for a protein-focused meal.

Essential Tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cooking spoon or hands for mixing
  • Skillet or grill pan
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Details

Always review ingredient labels for allergens, and consult a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk (cheese), gluten (breadcrumbs, buns), and egg if present in condiments or bread products.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

These nutritional details are for informational purposes and shouldn't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 370
  • Fat Content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 28 grams
  • Protein Content: 32 grams