Description
Indulge in this gourmet Crispy Chicken Sandwich with homemade Romesco sauce on fluffy focaccia. The perfect balance of crunch, smokiness, and freshness makes it an irresistible meal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 4 thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Romesco Sauce:
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup almonds, toasted
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
For Assembly:
- 1 loaf focaccia bread, sliced
- 1 cup arugula or mixed greens
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Let sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge in flour, dip into beaten eggs, and coat with panko breadcrumbs evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the Romesco Sauce: Roast red bell peppers and cherry tomatoes until charred and soft. Blend with toasted almonds, garlic, red wine vinegar, and bread crumbs, adding olive oil gradually until smooth.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Slice focaccia in half, spread Romesco sauce, layer crispy chicken, arugula, and Parmesan.
- Serve: Slice into portions and serve warm.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat chicken in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes for crispiness. Warm focaccia before assembling.
- Substitutions: Use walnuts or hazelnuts instead of almonds in the Romesco sauce. Swap focaccia for ciabatta or sourdough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: sandwich
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Spanish-Inspired
Keywords: crispy chicken sandwich, Romesco sauce recipe, gourmet sandwich, focaccia sandwich, Mediterranean sandwich