Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Burger

I love to golf.⛳️  Don't be disillusioned though - I'm actually a terrible golfer.😬  Apparently - loving a sport doesn't necessarily translate to being adept at it.😜 I've decided that my lack of golfing skills shouldn't negatively effect my enthusiasm for the game though.🤣  Honestly, clubs and balls have very little to do with my love of golf.  I feel like I enjoy spending a morning outside on a beautiful golf course, as much as I enjoy playing the game of golf. 

As you might have guessed - I don't take my golf game very seriously.  I spend a lot of my time walking through the woods looking for my ball - and that's only when I manage to swing and not miss the ball completely.😜 (I'll never understand how I'm supposed to keep my head down AND see where the ball goes!🤣)  On the plus side - I get more exercise during a round of golf, than most people.🚶🏻‍♀️ 

It goes without saying that I don't golf with very many people.  My husband was my very first golf partner and once we established that he shouldn't take on the role of my coach - we became a much better golfing pair.  Over the last few years, I've also met friends who share my enjoyment - and lackluster attitude - for golf. 😂

Spring and Fall are my favorite times of year to hit the links.  I'm very much a fair weather golfer.🌤️ I prefer to play on cloudless days, when the temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees, with low humidity.  I also like dry fairways and courses that aren't over crowded.  This should explain why I only play a handful of rounds of golf every year.  Perfect golfing conditions are a must. 

I recognize that to most people, waiting on idealistic golf conditions seems arbitrary.  I've applied very similar perimeters on my grilling days.  My days of flipping burgers while standing under an umbrella or standing on a deck that feels like the surface of the sun to cook a pizza, are over.  Now I wait for nearly, perfect weather, before I fire up the grill.  For me, it's worth postponing a grilled meal for a few days in order to save myself the frustration of grilling chicken during an ice storm.

​These Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Burgers got postponed a couple of days but they were totally worth it.  They were juicy and flavorful and super satisfying. 🍔

Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Burger
1 pound ground chicken
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
3/4 cup chopped artichoke
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
​crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
avocado
pita bread

Heat oil in skillet.  Saute onion until softened.  

Add garlic and  half of spinach and cook until wilted.  Cool mixture. 

Combine spinach mixture, chicken, artichoke, lemon zest, salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl.  ​

Shape into 4-6 patties - depending on the size you like.  Put patties in freezer for 10 minutes before grilling.  

Grill on each side until cooked through.  

Serve burgers in warm pitas along with avocado and remaining spinach.  

Ciao!

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