Summer BBQ Chicken Burgers

‘Tis the season for getting together with friends, sharing cold drinks, laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather - there’s hardly a better way to celebrate summer than to bust out the BBQ.

BBQ chicken burgers are a favorite of mine, especially when they’re tender and juicy, all grilled to perfection, and topped with crisp veggies. They make a delicious, filling dinner on their own but when paired with a fresh pasta salad and a cold glass of lemonade, they go from dinner to summer feast.

Summer BBQ Chicken Burger

BBQ Chicken Burgers:

-four boneless, skinless chicken breasts

-buns or a thick Artisan loaf cut into bun-sizes

-mayo

-fresh cilantro, freshly chopped

-olive oil, ground black pepper, dried basil and chilli powder for the rub

-burger toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, red peppers, etc.

Burger Prep:

-Mix the ingredients for the rub and apply to the chicken breasts before placing them on a hot grill

-Turn each side until grill marks appear and both sides are cooked

-Check for doneness by cutting through one of the breasts at its thickest part: the meat should be white, not pink and the juices should run clear

-Mix the mayo and cilantro together and spread it on the buns or loaves

-Top with burger veggies and serve with a side of pasta salad and a glass of lemonade

Fresh Pasta Salad

Fresh Pasta Salad:

-2 cups of bowtie pasta

-1 cup each of chopped cherry tomatoes, cucumber and red/yellow pepper

-2/3 cup feta cheese, cubed

-1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tsp dried oregano for the dressing

Prep:

-Cook the pasta to al dente, drain and run under cold water to cool.

-Combine with the veggies and feta cheese.

-Mix the dressing and toss with the salad.

-Chill in the fridge until the burgers are ready to serve.

Homemade Lemonade

Homemade Lemonade:

-Combine 2 cups of boiled water with ½ cup white sugar, mix until dissolved and chill.

-Juice 4-5 lemons (more or less, depending on your tastes) and combine with the sugar water. Adding a bit of pulp is a nice touch.

-Add 5-6 cups of cold water and mix.

-Chill until ready to serve.

This is a tasty, tasty summer meal. The spices in the burger rub provide some nice, complimentary flavors, which can be altered to suit your specific tastes. This burger/salad/lemonade combo is best enjoyed on a patio or a backyard picnic table with friends, music playing in the background and a lovely view to admire. Enjoy!

Our Summer View!