Ground Chicken Sliders with Bacon and Cheddar Cheese

Sliders are a great burger in that you can make many combinations and your guests or family can choose their favorite for an appetizer or have several for an entrée. This slider features “All American” ingredients, with a twist of using chicken. However, you could easily substitute beef for the chicken. Because sliders are so small baking is generally best, so they don’t fall into the grill. Because ground chicken is harder to make into patties, we do not recommend using a grill. This recipe will make between 8 to 10 sliders depending on how small you make the patties. Gauge how big to make them by how many people you are serving. Estimate 2 sliders per person. If you prefer to make regular sized burgers feel free to do so. Just make sure you have regular sized buns.

Ingredients

Burger
1 pound of ground chicken
1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese
12 slices of precooked bacon, chopped into small pieces or crumbled
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 green onion thinly sliced
Non-stick cooking spray
Toppings
3 Roma tomatoes thinly sliced
Bread and butter pickles or the pickle of your choice
Ranch dressing
Slider Buns
8-10 slider buns depending on how many sliders are being made (I used a Pepperidge farm brand that has wheat and regular – you choose.)
Non-stick cooking spray

Technique

In a medium size mixing bowl combine all burger ingredients. Form into small patties about 3 inches in diameter and place on a baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 14 minutes. Cooking times will vary on the size of the patty and your oven. Do cook these a bit longer because they are chicken. While burgers are cooking, slice tomatoes. Place burger on bun drizzle with ranch dressing and serve with tomatoes and pickles. If you want your buns toasted, open each bun and spray the inside with non-stick cooking spray and place onto a cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 5 minutes. You can easily add the buns to the oven while the burgers are baking.

Suggested Beverage

Try Bogle Vineyards Chardonnay (California), Procrastinate Chardonnay (California), Leisure Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia), Fat Tire Amber Ale New Belgium Brewing (Ft. Collins, CO),  Fireman’s #4 Blonde Ale by Real Ale Brewing Company (Blanco, TX)or an ice cold long neck Bud Light.