It took me over 20 years to learn that pimento is a pepper. For Alabamians, “pimento” is a type of cheese, right up there with American and Swiss. Who knew that this picnic staple and BBQ delicacy is actually a mix of shredded cheddar and mayo? A perfect emblem of Southern cuisine, really. Start with any staple food; add plenty of sugar, butter, bacon, mayo, then add a heap or two more than that (no need to measure). Don’t forget the sides and dips. Packaged snacks and shortcuts are welcomed. It doesn’t have to be strict and pretentious and stressful to be authentic, but it better be loaded with comfort and love.
In the spirit of summer and down-home comfort, with knock-your-socks-off flavor, freshness and balance, I present THE BBQ Bacon Pimento Cheese Chicken Burger. Aka the ultimate burger experience.
- Lean yet super tender ground chicken mixed with garlic, chives, salt, and BBQ sauce, grilled to charred juicy perfection
- Creamy, sharp pimento cheese with a kick of sweet and spicy peppers (Peppadews are actually my favorite for their more intense sweetness and spiciness. Find them at the olive bar at Whole Foods, with the jarred olives and pickled peppers, or on Amazon.)
- Smoky crispy bacon
- Sweet roasted garlic BBQ sauce
- Tangy pickled red onion
- Creamy smashed avocado
- Fresh crisp Romaine and tomato
- Hearty toasted multigrain buns
Serve the burgers with your favorite sides like grilled corn and seasonal veggies (rubbed with olive oil and seasoned with flakey salt or garlic salt, ground pepper or a yummy spice rub, and/or fresh herbs). Or go for the baked beans, coleslaw, watermelon… There aren’t many ways you can lose.
The BBQ Bacon Pimento Cheese Chicken Burger
Notes
Pimento cheese recipe makes about 3/4 cup. Remainder of recipe is for 2 burgers, each with about 1 Tbsp pimento cheese.
Ingredients
For the pimento cheese (makes about 3/4 cup):
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 2 oz sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1.5 Tbsp mayo
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 cup (2 oz) jarred pimentos or peppadews (I prefer peppadews
- for sweeter and spicier flavor), drained and finely diced
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce (such as chipotle sauce)
- 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- sea salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
For the burgers (2 burgers):
- 6 oz 95% lean ground chicken
- 1/2 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ~2 tsp chopped fresh chives
- pinch sea salt
- 2 tsp BBQ sauce or hot sauce (or mixture)
- ~2 Tbsp pimento cheese
- 2 hamburger buns (I recommend a seeded multigrain bun like Dave's Killer Bread)
- smashed ripe avocado
- torn Romaine lettuce
- 1-2 strips bacon (such as turkey bacon)
- prepared pickled red onion
- sliced tomato
- BBQ sauce of choice (I've been loving Hak's Organic)
Instructions
- Combine ingredients for pimento cheese in a mixing bowl. Slowly stir to incorporate, then continue mixing until completely and evenly combined. Store leftover pimento cheese in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For the burgers: add ground chicken, garlic, chives, pinch sea salt, and 2 tsp BBQ and/or hot sauce to a mixing bowl. Very gently incorporate ingredients by hand--do not over-mix or pack the meat down so it stays tender when the burgers cook.
- Heat a grill pan or grill over medium heat. Grease as needed. Cook bacon in the grill pan (or in a flat pan over the grill if cooking on grates) on each side until crispy.
- Gently shape the chicken mixture into 2 flat patties. Grill ~3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. When almost done, place ~1 Tbsp pimento cheese on top of each patty.
- Meanwhile, toast the bun on the grill. Layer on the bottom bun: smashed avocado, Romaine, burger with pimento cheese, torn bacon, pickled red onion, and tomato. Spread BBQ sauce on the top bun and top the burger.
- Serve with grilled vegetables or your favorite sides!