Ingredients (19)
For the pickled carrots:
- 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup peeled and coarsely shredded carrots (from about 2 medium carrots)
For the chile mayonnaise:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (see Game Plan note)
- 2 tablespoons chile-garlic paste or sambal oelek
For the burgers:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 medium scallions, finely chopped (white and light green parts only)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon packed finely grated lime zest (from 1 medium lime)
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken (dark meat or a mixture of dark and white meat)
- Vegetable oil, for oiling the grill
To assemble:
- 4 Vietnamese or sweet French sandwich rolls, sliced in half horizontally and toasted
- 2/3 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 romaine lettuce leaves
- Calories749
- Fat43.77g
- Saturated fat7.94g
- Trans fat0.15g
- Carbs52.34g
- Fiber3.08g
- Sugar20.19g
- Protein36.62g
- Cholesterol157.54mg
- Sodium1394.89mg
- Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by
Turn ho-hum ground chicken into something juicy and exotic by adding bold Asian ingredients and cooking it up on the grill. Topped with pickled carrots, cilantro leaves, crunchy lettuce, and a smear of spicy mayo, these burgers channel the complex textures and flavors of the Vietnamese banh mi sandwich. For extra spice, sprinkle on some thinly sliced jalapeños.
What to buy: Look for chile-garlic paste or sambal oelek in the Asian section of your supermarket. We like the ones made by Huy Fong Foods (with the rooster on the jar).
Purchase ground chicken that is all dark meat or a mixture of white and dark meat for the juiciest possible burger.
Game plan: The pickled carrots and chile mayonnaise can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. You could even make your own mayonnaise for the spicy mayo.
If you’re grilling outside, toast the rolls right on the grill while the cooked patties are resting. If you’re grilling inside using a grill pan, toast your rolls in the oven, because the moisture left in the pan from cooking the burgers will make the rolls soggy.
This recipe was featured as part of our Burger Bonanza!
Instructions
- 1Place the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small, nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Remove from the heat, add the carrots, and stir to coat them in the pickling mixture. Let stand at room temperature until the carrots have softened, at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. Drain well and refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use.
For the chile mayonnaise:
- 1Combine the mayonnaise and chile-garlic paste or sambal oelek in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the burgers:
- 1Place all of the ingredients except the chicken and oil in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the ground chicken and mix with your hands until just evenly combined.
- 2Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into an even 1/2-inch-thick patty, wetting your hands with water as needed if the mixture is sticky. Transfer the patties to a baking sheet and refrigerate while you prepare the grill.
- 3Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium high (about 375°F to 425°F). When the grill is ready, use tongs to rub the grate with several layers of paper towels dipped in vegetable oil.
- 4Using a flat spatula, transfer the reserved patties to the grill, close the grill, and cook undisturbed (do not press down on the patties) until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a clean spatula, flip the patties, close the grill, and cook until the patties are cooked through and the juices run clear, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove to a clean plate and let rest in a warm place or tent loosely with foil for 5 minutes.
To assemble:
- 1Spread about 1 tablespoon of the chile mayonnaise on each top and bottom roll (2 tablespoons per sandwich). Place 2 of the chicken patties side by side on each bottom roll. Divide the cilantro leaves, pickled carrots, and romaine lettuce evenly among the sandwiches and cover with the top rolls. Serve immediately.
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