The Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich is a delightful and flavorful summer sandwich featuring crispy, golden chicken cutlets paired with a rich romesco sauce, caramelized onions, and a zesty salad. It’s the perfect dish for a picnic or a casual summer meal, offering a blend of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. The use of focaccia bread adds a satisfying crunch, while the garlic parsley butter enhances the richness of the sandwich, making it a true crowd-pleaser.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced horizontally into 4 cutlets)

• 50g flour

• 50g panko breadcrumbs

• 1 egg (whisked)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Romesco Sauce:

• 2 garlic cloves

• 2 jarred roasted red bell peppers

• 4 sun-dried tomatoes

• 2 tbsp almonds

• ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp paprika

• 2 tsp kosher salt

For the Salad:

• 2 tbsp sour cream

• 1 tbsp mayonnaise

• ½ lemon (juice)

• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

• Black pepper to taste

• 5 gem lettuce leaves (finely chopped)

• A handful of arugula/rocket

For the Garlic Butter:

• 4 tbsp butter (room temperature)

• 5g parsley (finely chopped)

• 3 garlic cloves (minced)

• Parmesan cheese (for grating)

For the Bread:

• 2 focaccia loaves (or sandwich-sized pieces)

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Coat chicken cutlets in flour, then dip into egg wash, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.

   • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and fry chicken cutlets for 4 minutes on each side until golden. Set aside.

2. Make the Romesco Sauce:

   • Blend garlic, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, and salt until smooth. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Salad:

   • In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan, and black pepper. Add chopped lettuce and arugula and mix well.

4. Make Garlic Butter:

   • In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Set aside.

5. Prepare the Bread:

   • Slice focaccia and spread garlic butter mixture on each half. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Grill the bread in the oven at 400°F for 2 minutes until golden.

6. Assemble the Sandwich:

   • Spread romesco sauce on each slice of focaccia. Layer the chicken cutlets, salad, and top with the other slice of focaccia. Repeat for the second sandwich.

7. Serve:

   • Wrap sandwiches in parchment paper and serve immediately or store for later.

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 1216 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 88g

• Protein: 74g

• Fat: 67g

  • Saturated Fat: 11g

• Cholesterol: 239mg

• Sodium: 3545mg

• Potassium: 3208mg

• Fiber: 21g

• Sugar: 32g

The Perfectly Crispy Chicken Cutlets

The key to this sandwich is the crispy chicken cutlets. The chicken breasts are sliced horizontally into thinner cutlets, allowing for a quick and even fry. Each cutlet is coated in flour, dipped in egg wash, and then rolled in panko breadcrumbs. This triple-layered coating ensures a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the chicken juicy and tender inside.

Frying the chicken cutlets in olive oil over medium heat creates the perfect golden-brown crust. Each cutlet only takes about 4 minutes per side to cook, so this dish comes together quickly, making it an ideal option for a weeknight dinner or a casual lunch. Once cooked, the chicken cutlets are set aside, ready to be placed on the sandwich.

The Smoky and Rich Romesco Sauce

Romesco sauce is the heart of this sandwich, adding depth and flavor with its combination of roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and almonds. This sauce is blended together with garlic, balsamic vinegar, paprika, and olive oil, creating a smooth, smoky, and slightly tangy condiment that complements the crispy chicken perfectly.

The roasted red peppers bring a sweet smokiness, while the sun-dried tomatoes add a rich umami depth. The almonds contribute a touch of nuttiness, and the balsamic vinegar balances the flavors with a slight acidity. This vibrant sauce ties the sandwich together, giving each bite a burst of flavor that’s both savory and satisfying.

Zesty Salad for Freshness

To balance out the richness of the fried chicken and romesco sauce, a fresh salad is added to the sandwich. The salad is made with sour cream, mayonnaise, and lemon juice, giving it a creamy and tangy base. Grated Parmesan adds some salty depth, while the addition of chopped gem lettuce and arugula provides a crisp, peppery freshness that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the other components.

This light, zesty salad adds a fresh crunch to the sandwich, making it feel less heavy and more balanced. The combination of creamy and fresh ingredients elevates the sandwich’s overall flavor profile, adding layers of complexity with every bite.

Garlic Parsley Butter and Grilled Focaccia

The bread used for this sandwich is equally important. Focaccia loaves, with their light, airy texture and rich flavor, are the ideal base for this sandwich. Before assembling, each slice of focaccia is brushed with a generous layer of garlic parsley butter, which is made by mixing softened butter with minced garlic and fresh parsley.

Once the garlic butter is spread on the bread, it’s sprinkled with Parmesan and toasted in the oven until golden. This gives the focaccia a slightly crispy, buttery edge that complements the crunchy chicken and adds a satisfying richness to each bite.

Assembling the Sandwich

To assemble the sandwich, spread the romesco sauce on the toasted focaccia, then layer on the crispy chicken cutlets. Add a generous amount of the zesty salad, and top with the other slice of focaccia. The result is a hearty and flavorful sandwich that’s bursting with a combination of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors.

Serving Suggestions

This Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich is ideal for a summer picnic or as a casual dinner. You can serve the sandwich with a side of crispy fries, roasted vegetables, or even a light soup for a more well-rounded meal. The sandwich can also be cut into smaller pieces and served as appetizers for parties or gatherings, making it a versatile dish for any occasion.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of the Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich contains approximately 1216 calories, with 74 grams of protein, making it a satisfying and filling meal. The 67 grams of fat, including 11 grams of saturated fat, come from the olive oil, butter, and cheese used in the sandwich, contributing to its rich and indulgent flavor.

With 88 grams of carbohydrates and 21 grams of fiber, this sandwich offers a good balance of energy and digestive benefits. The 32 grams of sugar come primarily from the natural sugars in the vegetables and sauces, while the sandwich also provides essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, calcium, and potassium.

Conclusion: A Delicious and Satisfying Sandwich

The Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich is an indulgent yet balanced meal that brings together a variety of textures and flavors in a fun and shareable format. The combination of crispy chicken, smoky romesco sauce, zesty salad, and garlic buttered focaccia bread makes each bite a delightful experience. Whether you’re enjoying it as a hearty lunch, a picnic snack, or serving it at your next gathering, this sandwich is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone coming back for more.