I am pretty fortunate that my kids both like meat.  I know tons of parents who complain that their kids are addicted to carbs, but will not eat meat.  I know that I can always serve them a piece of chicken, steak or pork (without sauce) and they will eat it.  Of course their meat of choice is – hamburgers.  They are both starting to get into cheeseburgers as well.  My older daughter finally likes a nice roll around her burger, while my younger one still prefers the burger to be cut up into chunks just big enough to dunk into ketchup and pop into her mouth.

When I saw this recipe in Bon Appetit, I figured it would be right up their alley – and different enough that it would be right up my alley as well.  I followed the recipe exactly, except that I didn’t have enough fresh basil leaves to layer with the radicchio.  The burgers were excellent – the meat was flavored perfectly – and the fresh mozzarella on top was such a nice treat.  In my opinion, these were pizza burgers – which is probably why the kids liked them so much – their two favorite meals wrapped into one. 

Ingredients

• 10 1/2-inch-thick slices French bread (4 inches in diameter); 8 slices toasted, 2 slices (crust removed) diced
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons minced fresh basil, divided, plus 12 large basil leaves
• 3/4 cup purchased refrigerated marinara sauce
• 12 ounces ground chicken (white meat)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon grated onion
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces whole-milk mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
• 4 large radicchio leaves

Preparation

Blend diced bread and Parmesan in processor to fine crumbs. Transfer to pie dish; mix in 2 tablespoons minced basil.

Mix marinara and 2 tablespoons basil in small saucepan. Transfer 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce to large bowl. Add chicken, 1/2 tablespoon oil, onion, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle with pepper; blend. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties; coat with crumbs. Heat sauce over low heat.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties until bottoms are crusty, 4 minutes. Turn patties over; top with cheese. Cook 3 minutes. Cover; cook until cooked through and cheese is melted, about 1 minute.

Assemble burgers with bread, radicchio, basil leaves, and warm marinara.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Chicken Parmesan Burger