Maple Apple Chicken Burgers

¼ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons real maple syrup

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

canola oil

1 onion, sliced

1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored, and chopped

1 pound ground chicken

2 tablespoons real maple syrup

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 egg

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

6 tablespoons canola oil, divided

6 hamburger buns, split

Make the secret sauce by whisking the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and the Dijon mustard together in a small bowl; set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir the onion and about half the chopped apple in the hot oil until soft, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.

Mix the remaining uncooked apple, the ground chicken, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, Italian seasoning, egg, salt, and pepper together in bowl. Shape the burger mixture into 6 balls; the mixture will be loose, but that is okay.

Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place one of the balls into the hot oil and flatten with the back of spoon to create a patty. Cook until slightly brown on one side and then flip and cook the other side until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes per side; repeat for each portion.

To assemble, place the chicken burgers on buns; top with the grilled apple and onions. Pour some secret sauce over the top of each burger. More secret sauce can be served on the side if desired.