Grilled chicken-thigh burgers with tahini sauce and chilli relish

Name: Grilled chicken-thigh burgers with tahini sauce and chilli relish
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients: 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp turmeric; 2 tsp castor sugar; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tsp grated ginger; 4 large skinless boned chicken thighs; 4 wholemeal buns, split; chilli relish and tahini sauce (see below); 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated; large handful fresh coriander leaves; red onion, thinly sliced; cucumber ribbons

Bill Granger

March 2, 2018

Time:1-2 hoursServes:4

This recipe is inspired by the burgers from an Israeli takeaway bar I love. It's the marinade and sauce that make it - and a little sugar ensures a lovely caramelised result on the chicken.

Ingredients

1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp castor sugar
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp grated ginger
4 large skinless boned chicken thighs
4 wholemeal buns, split
chilli relish and tahini sauce (see below)
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
large handful fresh coriander leaves
red onion, thinly sliced
cucumber ribbons

Tahini sauce

4 tbsp tahini
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 pinch sea salt
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp shredded flat-leaf parsley
pinch sumac
75ml warm water

Chilli relish

400g can chopped tomatoes
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp cumin
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 red chillies, finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

Place cumin, paprika, turmeric, caster sugar, olive oil, garlic and ginger in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Place chicken thighs in marinade and toss until coated. Place in fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat barbecue to hot. Scrape excess marinade from chicken and barbecue chicken for 7-8 minutes on each side or until cooked right through.
Meanwhile, toast buns, cut side down, on barbecue for about 1 minute.
To serve, place bun bottoms on serving plates. Top each with chilli relish (or serve it in a separate bowl), then add lettuce, coriander, onion and cucumber. Finish with a chicken thigh. Drizzle over a little tahini (or serve in a separate bowl), and top with bun tops. Serve immediately.
Tahini sauce
Place tahini, garlic, salt, oil, lemon juice and the warm water in a bowl and mix to combine.
Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle with parsley and sumac.
Chilli relish
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan over a medium-high heat.
Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
Place in serving bowl and allow to cool before serving.