Strawberry, Basil, Bacon and Brie Chicken Burgers (Giveaway!)

Guess what guys??? It’s Friday already. How on EARTH did that happen? I swear I was just watching RHOO and the Bachelorette like last night (No judging). Not that I’m complaining or anything, I absolutely love when the weeks fly by fast. I, like most working adults, cherish my weekends. Although lately, my weekends have been crammed with vacations, weddings, birthday parties, blogging and other fun stuff that doesn’t leave much time to just be.

This weekend is no exception; we’re heading down to Atlanta for Kev’s cousin’s wedding, which I’m sooo excited for. For one, I just love weddings, I swear if I could, I would plan and go through mine all over again, but since I can’t, I just relish in all my family and friends’ wedding plans instead. Two, I’ve never been to Atlanta before and love exploring new cities. And while we won’t have much time to go crazy, we’ll have a few hours here and there for brunch and after-event drinks. 3.  We get to see Kevin’s whole family. It kind of blows that they live so far away, so any excuse to see them is much welcomed!

Today is also a special day, not only because it’s Friday, but because it’s Melanie from Carmel Moments very first blogoversary!! I can’t believe this girl as only been blogging for one year, I was nowhere near as accomplished as her at my one year mark. Not only is Melanie super sweet, but her food is absolutely mouth-watering – if you haven’t checked her out before, please do! To celebrate, Melanie and a bunch of our other friends are giving YOU a $200 Amazon gift card. To enter, be sure to enter the rafflecopter at the bottom of the post.

On to the food!

Now because my weekends have been so jam packed (in a good way), we haven’t had much time to grill in our backyard, which is our number one favorite thing to do in the summertime. We finally snuck a night in last week where we just stayed home, had some cocktails, fired up the grill and enjoyed the beautiful weather – and chicken burgers were on the menu.

Chicken burgers have been my favorite meal in the world two summers going now, and while I can’t live without a classic beef burger every once in a while, I have no problem inhaling chicken burgers at least once a week. I’ve made them every which way possible, some including this Blackened Chicken Burger with Mango Salsa, this Spanakopita Chicken Burger, this Spicy Chicken Burger and this Saltimbocca Chicken (or turkey) Burger — all equally delicious.

This particular chicken burger has the sweet and savory thing going on which I absolutely love. Ground chicken breast is combined with a little bit of grated onion (for moisture), grated garlic, basil, mint and salt (chicken breast needs PLENTY of salt), formed into patties and then grilled until charred and cooked through. Please make sure you do not over cook the meat, chicken gets a bad wrap for being dry, but it’s only dry if you make it that way.

Now for the toppings. A while back I made a crostini with balsamic and basil marinated strawberries that I am still kind of obsessed with, so when I saw strawberries crazy cheap at the store, I immediately thought about that flavor combination and snatched them up and the recipe developing wheels starting turning.  The thought process went a little something like this: Chicken goes with strawberries. Strawberries go with brie. Brie goes with bacon. All of it belongs together.

And a burger was born. A mighty delicious burger if I do say so myself.

Happy Friday all, and don’t forget to enter to win an Amazon giftcare for Carmel Moments first blogoversary!