These chicken burgers are cheeseburgers with a twist — the cheese is combined with ground chicken, giving the burgers extra flavor and keeping them moist. Topping them with mango relish as they grill adds an unexpectedly exotic taste. And traditional burgers can’t beat this: Each chicken burger contains a hefty serving of vitamin A, compliments of the carrot and mango.

  • 1 pound ground white meat chicken or turkey or lean ground beef.
  • 1 cup grated or shredded carrot (packaged or from 1 large carrot)
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack or Colby cheese
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Mango Relish (recipe follows)
  • 2 whole grain rolls
  1. Preheat the broiler or set up the grill and preheat it to high.
  2. Place the chicken, carrot, cheese, cumin and salt and pepper to taste in a medium-size mixing bowl and stir. Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a burger.
  3. Broil or grill the burgers until browned, about 6 minutes, then turn them over. Spread a spoonful of the Mango Relish over each burger and continue cooking until fully cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes longer.
  4. Serve the burger on whole grain rolls with more spoonfuls of Mango Relish, if desired.

Makes 4 burgers

Nutrition Info:

1 portion (1 burger without mango relish) provides:

  • Protein: 1 serving
  • Calcium: ½ serving
  • Green leafy and yellow fruits and vegetables: 1 serving
  • Whole grains and legumes: 2 servings

Tip:

Craving a sweet spread on your sandwich? Try this Not Honey Mustard spread. It’s sweet like honey mustard but has a more complex flavor. Yummy on chicken, turkey or meat sandwiches, or anywhere else you’d enjoy honey mustard. Take a quarter cup of Dijon mustard and a quarter cup fruit-only apricot preserves. Mix them together and enjoy!

Mango Relish

A tropical departure from the standard condiments, this sweet and tangy relish can be spread on anything — from hamburgers and pork to fish fillets and shrimp.

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ medium-size red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic (from 2 cloves)
  • 1 large ripe mango, cut into ¼ inch dice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
  • Juice of 1 lime
  1. Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the mango cumin, oregano, cilantro, if using, orange juice concentrate and lime juice. Let come to a slow simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes.
  2. Remove the relish from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. The relish can be refrigerated, covered, for several days.

Makes about 1 cup

Nutrition Info:

1 portion (1/4 cup) provides:

  • Vitamin C: ½ serving
  • Green leafy and yellow vegetables and fruits: ½ serving