Chicken Burgers with Pesto

Summer's Easiest, Most Honest Burger

There's something quietly satisfying about a burger that doesn't try too hard. Ground chicken, shaped by hand and laid over a hot grill, becomes something genuinely tender — especially when pesto is worked right into the mix, not just spooned on top as an afterthought. This is the kind of recipe that belongs to long evenings and unhurried company, where the cooking itself is part of the ease. Simple, honest, and finished with just enough richness to feel like something you'll return to all season.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon Alessi Pesto, divided use
• Alessi Sea Salt and Ground Black Pepper, to taste
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 tablespoons Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 small tomatoes, sliced
• 6 slices mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 6 buns

Instructions

1. Heat grill or grill pan on medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl combine 2 tablespoons pesto, salt, pepper, and chicken.
3. Form into six equal sized patties.
4. Grease grill or grill pan with olive oil.
5. Grill patties for about 5 minutes on one side and then flip and grill another 5-7 minutes, or until done.
6. Melt mozzarella on top.
7. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with 1 teaspoon pesto and mix well.
8. Brush inside of buns with pesto-mayonnaise, add burger patties and top with tomato slice.