Flavor-Packed Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Burgers: Your Ultimate Healthy Indulgence
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary adventure! If you’re a true carnivore seeking an explosion of flavors, you’ve hit the jackpot. These Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Burgers are a game-changer, promising a gourmet experience without the need for a bun. Imagine a succulent, perfectly seasoned beef patty, expertly wrapped in crispy bacon, and then, the ultimate surprise: a creamy, spicy buffalo chicken filling tucked right in the center. Every bite delivers a harmonious blend of smoky, savory, and spicy notes that will leave you utterly satisfied and reaching for more. Seriously, stop reading and start prepping – you absolutely will not be disappointed!
This incredible recipe is designed to be as delicious as it is mindful of your dietary goals. Each burger clocks in at just 8 SmartPoints on all Weight Watchers programs (Blue, Green, and Purple), making it an ideal choice for a satisfying, high-protein meal. Pair it with a fresh, crisp salad for a complete and wholesome dinner that doesn’t compromise on flavor or indulgence. Get ready to redefine your burger expectations with this masterpiece!
Helpful Tips & Customization Tricks for Your Stuffed Burgers
To ensure your buffalo chicken stuffed bacon-wrapped burgers turn out perfect every time, and to allow for personalization, consider these helpful tips and tricks. Whether you’re aiming to lower SmartPoints, save time, or adjust the spice level, these suggestions will guide you to a fantastic result.
Optimize for Lower SmartPoints: Ground Turkey or Chicken
For those closely tracking their Weight Watchers SmartPoints on the Blue & Purple programs, swapping out extra lean ground beef for ground turkey or chicken is an excellent strategy. These lean alternatives will significantly reduce the point value of your burgers without sacrificing flavor. The rich buffalo chicken filling and savory bacon wrap ensure that the burger remains incredibly satisfying and delicious, regardless of the primary meat used. Always utilize your WW recipe builder for the most accurate and up-to-date SmartPoint count based on your specific ingredients, as brands and fat percentages can vary.
Effortless Meal Prep: Prepare the Night Before
Life can be busy, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a homemade, flavorful meal. These burgers are perfect for meal prepping! You can easily prepare them the night before, which makes grilling day a breeze. For best results, prepare the ground beef patties and wrap them with bacon, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Separately, mix the buffalo chicken filling and keep it in another container. When you’re ready to grill, simply scoop the filling into the prepared burger indents, and you’re good to go. This advance preparation ensures maximum flavor development and minimizes last-minute fuss.
Adjusting the Heat: Taming or Boosting the Spice
Not everyone is a fan of intense heat, and that’s perfectly fine! If you prefer a milder flavor profile, you have a couple of options. You can reduce the amount of Frank’s Hot Sauce used in the filling, or even substitute it entirely with a regular barbecue sauce for a sweet and tangy twist. Be aware that using barbecue sauce will likely add extra SmartPoints, so remember to adjust your recipe in the WW app. Alternatively, for a slightly less spicy but still flavorful kick, try watering down a portion of regular hot sauce to achieve a similar consistency to Frank’s, which can help keep the points lower while mellowing the heat. For those who crave more heat, a dash of cayenne pepper or a spicier hot sauce can be added to the buffalo chicken mixture.
Creamy Alternatives: No Cream Cheese? No Problem!
Ran out of cream cheese? Don’t worry, there are fantastic alternatives that will still yield a wonderfully creamy and delicious filling. Laughing Cow cheese wedges are an excellent low-fat option that melts beautifully and adds a subtle tang. Goat cheese is another fantastic choice, offering a unique, slightly pungent flavor that pairs incredibly well with the buffalo chicken and bacon. For the ranch dressing component of the filling, you can save even more SmartPoints by using a homemade zero-point ranch dressing. Check out my recipe here to keep the overall point count as low as possible without compromising on taste.
Mastering the Cook: Grilling, Air Frying & Storage
The key to these burgers is patient cooking. They require a low-to-medium indirect heat on the grill to ensure the bacon crisps up perfectly and the beef cooks through without burning, while the filling becomes warm and gooey. The bacon, in particular, needs time to render and become crispy. While I haven’t personally tried these in an air fryer, I believe they could work well. If using an air fryer, I’d suggest a lower temperature (around 350°F / 175°C) and checking frequently to ensure even cooking and crispy bacon, likely for 25-40 minutes depending on the air fryer model and burger thickness. Pan-frying is generally not recommended for this recipe due to the generous filling and bacon wrap, which make it difficult to cook evenly and prevent the filling from spilling out.
Leftovers & Freezing: Maximize Enjoyment
These delicious burgers are just as good, if not better, as leftovers! Store any uneaten burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, these burgers freeze exceptionally well. Once cooked and cooled, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply let them thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, you can pop them back on the grill (using indirect heat), heat them in an air fryer for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or even in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot and the bacon is crisp again. This makes them perfect for quick, healthy meals any day of the week.
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Beef Burgers
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these incredibly flavorful and satisfying stuffed burgers:
- 24 oz extra lean ground beef
- Pinch of Cajun seasoning
- Dash of salt & pepper
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 5 Tbsp Frank’s hot sauce
- 3 oz softened light cream cheese
- 2 oz cooked, shredded or diced chicken
- 2 Tbsp light ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup light shredded cheese
- 4 slices low point bacon, I used Oscar Mayer center cut for fewer points
Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to create your mouth-watering Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Burgers:
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Begin by setting up your grill for indirect heat. You’ll want to preheat it to a low-medium temperature, aiming for around 300-325°F (150-160°C). This indirect heat is crucial for slowly cooking the burgers, rendering the bacon crispy, and ensuring the filling is perfectly melted without burning the outside.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the extra lean ground beef with a pinch of Cajun seasoning, a dash of salt and freshly ground black pepper, the bread crumbs, and 2 tablespoons of Frank’s Hot Sauce. Gently mix everything until just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this can make the burgers tough. Set the remaining 3 tablespoons of Frank’s Hot Sauce aside for the filling.
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Divide the seasoned meat mixture into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into a round patty. Then, using a sturdy object like a pop can, a beer can, or even a glass, gently press down into the center of each patty to create a deep indent. This indent will be the pocket for your delicious buffalo chicken filling. Make sure the edges remain slightly thicker to hold the filling.
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Carefully wrap one slice of low-point bacon around the perimeter of each burger patty, securing the ends underneath. The bacon adds a fantastic smoky flavor and helps keep the burger moist. You can use a toothpick to hold the bacon in place if necessary, just remember to remove it before serving.
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In a separate small bowl, prepare your buffalo chicken filling. Combine the softened light cream cheese, light ranch dressing, the remaining 3 tablespoons of Frank’s Hot Sauce, the cooked and shredded or diced chicken, and the light shredded cheese. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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Generously scoop an equal amount of the buffalo chicken mixture into the prepared indents of each of the 4 burger patties. Ensure the filling is snugly nestled in the center.
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Place the stuffed burgers on the cooler, indirect heat side of your preheated grill. Close the lid and resist the urge to peek too often, as consistent temperature is key. Cook for at least one hour, allowing the burgers to cook through gently, the bacon to crisp, and the filling to melt into a gooey delight. You can check on them after about 30 minutes; if the bacon isn’t rendering or cooking, you might slightly increase the heat, but avoid direct flame. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
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Once cooked to perfection, carefully remove the burgers from the grill. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and flavorful burger. This recipe yields 4 incredibly satisfying burgers, each at 8 SmartPoints. Serve immediately with a fresh green salad or your favorite low-point side dish. Enjoy your bun-free, flavor-packed masterpiece!
Notes
Personal Points – 8
SmartPoints (Blue/Purple/Green) – 8, calculated using the WW recipe builder for accuracy.
Nutritional info per burger: Calories 356, Fat 14.6g, Saturated Fat 6.4g, Carbs 7.2g, Fiber 0.2g, Sugars 2.5g, Protein 47.3g. Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific brands and exact measurements of ingredients.
Additional Info
There you have it – a robust, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying burger that promises to elevate your grilling game. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself to a fantastic meal, these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Burgers are sure to impress. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spice levels or alternative ingredients to make them perfectly suited to your palate. They’re proof that healthy eating can be incredibly delicious and exciting!
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