Wood-Smoked Chicken Burgers with Orange Peel Aioli
Juicy ground chicken burgers enhanced with fresh apple, crystallized ginger, and aromatic wood smoke from grape chips. The citrusy orange peel aioli adds bright flavor that perfectly complements the smoky, slightly sweet patties. These gourmet burgers are ideal for summer grilling when you want to your backyard barbecue beyond typical beef patties. The indirect grilling method ensures the chicken stays moist while absorbing the delicate grape wood smoke flavor.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange peel, Valencia
- ½ tsp chives
- 2 cups grape wood chipsapple or cherry wood chips1:1
similar mild fruit wood flavor
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ⅝ cup Gala apple, shredded unpeeledHoneycrisp or Granny Smith1:1
different sweetness levels
- ¼ cup red onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons crystallized ginger, finely choppedfresh ginger1 tbsp fresh:3-4 tbsp crystallized
less sweet, more pungent
- ¼ tsp black pepper, coarse ground
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 rustic artisan rolls, split and toasted
- field greens
Instructions
- 1
Soak grape wood chips in water for 1 hour
- 2
Mix mayonnaise, orange juice, orange peel and chives for aioli
- 3
Cover aioli and refrigerate until ready to serve
- 4
Mix ground chicken, apple, onion, ginger, pepper and salt until well blended
- 5
Shape mixture into 4 patties and refrigerate until ready to grill
- 6
Coat cold grill rack with cooking spray
- 7
Preheat gas grill to medium-high heat for indirect grilling
- 8
Drain wood chips and fill smoker tray
- 9
Place smoker tray on grill rack directly over lit burner
- 10
When grill is hot and chips are smoking, place burgers over unlit burner
- 11
Cover and grill 20 to 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F, turning once
- 12
Serve burgers on toasted rolls with orange aioli and field greens
Tips
Keep chicken mixture cold until grilling to prevent it from falling apart on the grill since ground chicken is naturally softer than beef.
Make sure your smoker tray is positioned directly over the lit burner for maximum smoke production while cooking the burgers indirectly.
Let burgers rest for 2-3 minutes after grilling to allow juices to redistribute before serving.
Good to Know
Store leftover cooked patties in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Aioli keeps for up to 1 week refrigerated.
Patties and aioli can both be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated until ready to grill.
Serve immediately while hot with suggested toppings like bacon and avocado slices.
Common Mistakes
Don't press down on patties while grilling to avoid squeezing out juices and making them dry.
Substitutions
similar mild fruit wood flavor
different sweetness levels
FAQ
Can I cook these burgers without a smoker tray?
Yes, wrap soaked wood chips in heavy-duty foil, poke holes in the packet, and place directly on the grill grates over the lit burner.
What if I don't have grape wood chips?
Apple, cherry, or peach wood chips work well as substitutes, providing similar mild fruit wood flavors that complement chicken.
How long will the aioli keep in the refrigerator?
The orange peel aioli will stay fresh for up to one week when stored covered in the refrigerator.