Spicy Italian Chicken Sandwich

A spicy and aromatic Italian inspired sandwich

2 sandwiches

Time: 30 mins

Ethan ChlebowskiBy Ethan Chlebowski
Photography by Ethan Chlebowski

Thinly slicing then mayo-marinating chicken is a great way to cook it quickly and infuse it with a ton of flavor.

Ethan Chlebowski

Ethan Chlebowski

CREATOR

Ingredients

  • Spicy mayo marinated chicken

    • chicken breasts
      2~1lb/450 g
    • salt
      5 g1%
    • mayonnaise
      20 ga spoonful
    • cayenne pepper
      3 ga sprinkle
    • garlic powder
      3 ga sprinkle
    • dried oregano
      2 ga sprinkle
  • Remaining sandwich components

    • ciabatta rolls
      2
    • mayonnaise
    • dried oregano
    • tomatoes
      , thinly sliced
    • lettuce
      , thinly sliced
    • pepperoncini peppers
      , thinly sliced
    • parmesan
      , grated
    • balsamic vinegar

Method

Step 1: Prep chicken & preheat griddle

Thinly shave the chicken breast across the grain into shavings. Use a sharp knife to create thin slices.

  • If you’re having trouble, you can firm up the chicken breast in the freezer for around 15 minutes to make it easier to slice.

Begin preheating a griddle or cast iron pan over medium heat.

Add the sliced chicken to a bowl, then add the mayo, salt, and remaining spices. Use your hands to massage the mayo and spices into the chicken so everything is evenly coated and seasoned.

Step 2: Sear the chicken

The griddle or pan should be smoking hot by now. If not, turn up the heat. Spread the mayo-marinated chicken onto the griddle. Use a spatula to create an even layer across the cooking surface.

  • Don’t overwhelm the pan. If needed, do this in multiple batches so that everything can properly and develop color.

Once the underside of the chicken has , flip the chicken over. Allow the pieces to finish cooking through and get color on other sides. Turn off the heat.

Step 3: Steam the bread & prep remaining ingredients.

If needed, slice the bread. Optionally scoop out some of the bread from the inside of the roll to create more room for the fillings.

Add the slices on top of the cooked chicken on the pan. The residual heat will and warm them through.

In the meantime, prep or gather remaining sandwich components or cleanup other items.

Step 4: Assemble, wrap, & serve

To assemble: Add a slathering of mayo to the inside of the buns (this creates a protective fat barrier that prevents the bread from becoming soggy).

  • Layer in the tomatoes, a sprinkle of dried oregano, the lettuce and pickled pepperoncini peppers, a small grating or parmesan, and a splash of balsamic.
  • Then add a serving of cooked chicken. Finish with extra grated parm and balsamic vinegar on top, then close with the top bun.

Tightly wrap the sandwich in foil or parchment paper. This will help the sandwich and soften a bit, and keep the fillings contained during eating. Enjoy.

LET'S COOK!

FAQ

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