Grilled Chicken Burgers & Crispy Oven Baked Parmesan Fries

To say that my husband loves chicken is an understatement. Sage could eat it everyday, happily. Since it was pretty much the only meat I ate growing up, I get quite bored of chicken. But since we have it 4 or 5 times a week, I'm always trying to come up with new ways to fix it.

Last night I made chicken burgers. They were very moist, which was something I worried about. Since Beckett and Sage have a lower tolerance for spiciness than me, I went light on the seasoning, but you could definitely go for more- they'd be great with a kick. Beckett doesn't normally like chicken or really any meat (a texture thing) and he loved these!

To go with them, I fixed fries made from red potatoes. I had a little happy accident- I meant to use grated parmesan (the powdery stuff) but wasn't paying attention and grabbed my can of the shredded. It was already on the potatoes, so I went ahead with it, thinking it would just melt and make a mess...Instead it formed a "crust" on them, which made them very crispy on the outside. Like a real french fry! I used a only pinch of cayenne on these, and Beckett couldn't eat them. Sage really liked them but said they'd be better if they weren't so spicy, so make your according to your family's preference.

Grilled Chicken Burgers makes 4 burgers

2 large chicken breasts, cut into 1 in. cubes (or sub. 1 lb. already ground chicken breast)

1/2 of a small onion, chunked (about a 1/3 cup)

1/4 of a green pepper, chunked (about a 1/3 cup)

1/2 of a celery rib, chunked

1 clove garlic, peeled and quartered

1/3 cup quick oats

2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs

1 egg

kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

1/2 tsp. creole seasoning blend (I used Tony Chachere's)

1. In food processor, pulse 1/2 of the chicken until minced. Transfer to large bowl, and repeat with the rest of chicken. Transfer to large bowl.

2. Add onion, green pepper, celery and garlic to food processor. Pulse to fine mince. Transfer to bowl of ground chicken. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

3. Form into 4 large patties. (They will seem very "goopy" and be different than ground turkey or beef.) Chill until ready to grill. (I chilled mine for 45 minutes.)

4. Grill over medium-high direct heat, for 5-6 minutes a side.

We topped our with pepper jack cheese and served on toasted hamburger rolls with lettuce, tomato and lite mayo.

Crispy Oven Baked Parmesan Fries (serves 2)

3-4 red potatoes (about 3/4 lb.)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp shredded parmesan

sea or kosher salt/fresh ground pepper

pinch of cayenne peppper (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 425 dgrees.

2.Slice potatoes longwise into 1/2 inch wide strips, leaving skins on. Place in large bowl or ziplock baggie.

3. Add remaining ingredients. Toss to coat well.

4. Spread in a single layer on cookie sheet, and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Flip, and bake for another 15 minutes.