Description
This one’s a proper hands-on kitchen burger, just without the bun. It’s juicy, a little messy, and way more satisfying than you’d expect.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breast fillets
- 1 tsp Cajun spice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Mushroom “Buns”
- 8 large brown mushrooms
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Pinch of salt
Roasted Aubergine
- 1 aubergine, sliced into 4 thick rounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Burger Fillings
- 4 slices of tomato
- 1 handful of rocket
- 1/4 cup sauce of choice
Green Salad
- 0.4 lb = 200 g baby spinach
- 1 handful radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 5 oz = 150 g blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Chicken
- Place the 4 chicken breast fillets between wax paper and gently pound to even thickness. Not paper-thin, but even thickness, so they cook properly.
- Rub each fillet with 1 tsp Cajun spice, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Let it sit while you prep everything else.
Aubergine
- Preheat your oven to 400⁰F (200⁰C).
- Place the 4 aubergine slices on a tray, brush with 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Roast for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until soft and slightly golden. If they look dry, add a tiny drizzle more oil.
Mushrooms
- Heat a pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp butter and let it melt.
- Add the 8 large brown mushrooms, cap side down first.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, flip, then add 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp parsley, and a pinch of salt.
- Cook another 3 to 4 minutes until tender but not soggy.
- Set aside on a paper towel so they don’t water out your burger.
Grill the Chicken
- Using the same pan or a skillet, cook the seasoned chicken fillets over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
- You’re looking for golden edges and cooked through, not dry. Let them rest a few minutes before assembling so the juices stay in.
Salad
- In a large bowl, combine 200 g baby spinach, sliced radishes, 1 sliced red onion, 10 halved cherry tomatoes, and 150 g crumbled blue cheese.
- Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Season with salt and black pepper, then toss lightly.
Burger
- Start with 1 mushroom as your base.
- Layer with rocket, 1 chicken fillet, a spoon of sauce, 1 roasted aubergine slice, and 1 tomato slice.
- Top with another mushroom and gently press.
- Serve straight away with the green salad on the side.
Notes
Created, prepared, tried, and tested by Gail


