Chicken Caesar Burgers

Everything delicious about a Caesar salad— lemon, Parmesan, and anchovy—makes an appearance in this easy chicken burger.

PREP: 20 minutes      GRILL: 12 to 14 minutes

MAKES: 4 burgers

1 lemon

2 anchovy fillets, minced

1 small garlic clove, minced

13 cup light mayonnaise

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 large heart of romaine lettuce

1 tablespoon olive oil

34 teaspoon salt

1¼ pounds ground chicken or turkey

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

nonstick cooking spray

4 (4-inch) squares focaccia bread, 1 inch thick, each split horizontally in half and toasted

1. Prepare outdoor grill for direct grilling over medium heat, or lightly spray a ridged grill pan with nonstick cooking spray, then heat on medium until hot.

2. From lemon, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice. In small bowl, stir together lemon peel and juice, anchovies, garlic, mayonnaise, and ¼ cup Parmesan. Set Caesar sauce aside. Makes about ½ cup.

3. Quarter romaine heart lengthwise. Place romaine and any loose leaves on plate; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt.

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4. In medium bowl, combine chicken, pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ cup Parmesan just until blended. Shape into four 34-inch-thick burgers. Spray both sides of burgers with cooking spray.

5. Place burgers on hot grill rack or pan. If grill has widely spaced grates, place burgers on perforated grill topper to keep them intact. Cook, turning once, until juices run clear when center of burger is pierced with tip of knife, 12 to 14 minutes. (An instant-read meat thermometer inserted horizontally into center should register 170°F.)

6. About 5 minutes before burgers are done, add romaine to grill rack and cook until lightly browned and softened, about 5 minutes, turning occasionally and transferring quarters and leaves to platter as they are done.

7. Serve burgers on focaccia with romaine and Caesar sauce.

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EACH BURGER: About 680 calories, 42g protein, 54g carbohydrate, 33g total fat (4g saturated), 25mg cholesterol, 1,550mg sodium