Chimichurri Chicken Burgers

To make the chimichurri, finely chop the parsley, cilantro, and oregano leaves with a sharp knife. Add the sliced garlic and continue chopping until the mixture is very fine. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the 1/4 cup olive oil, white wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Wrap and refrigerate until needed. (Prep time: 15 minutes)

To prepare the chicken, place the chicken thighs in the freezer until they are firm and partially frozen, about 30 minutes. (Freezing time: 30 minutes)

Place the partially frozen chicken thighs on a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife or a heavy cleaver, chop the chicken until it resembles coarsely ground meat. Alternatively, you can use a food processor, pulsing it on and off and scraping the sides often, until the texture is similar. (Prep time: 10 minutes)

Transfer the chopped chicken to a bowl. Add the 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 cup of the prepared chimichurri sauce. Use a fork to thoroughly mix the ingredients together. (Mixing time: 5 minutes)

Using damp hands, form the chicken mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. Cover the patties and refrigerate them until well chilled, about 30 minutes. (Chilling time: 30 minutes)

In a separate bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and the remaining chimichurri sauce to create a flavorful spread for the buns. Refrigerate until ready to use. (Prep time: 5 minutes)

Remove the burgers from the refrigerator and lightly sprinkle both sides with breadcrumbs. This will help create a nice crust when cooking. (Prep time: 2 minutes)

Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, but before it begins to smoke, add the burgers. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted near the center of the burger to ensure it reaches a temperature of 145 to 150 degrees F (63 to 65 degrees C). (Cooking time: 10 minutes)

Let the cooked burgers rest for a minute or two before serving. Serve them on your favorite buns, generously spread with the chimichurri mayo, and top with the fixings of your choice. Enjoy! (Resting time: 2 minutes)