Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich Recipe: A Zesty Lunchtime Joy

Crafting a mouthwatering crunchy chicken romesco sandwich becomes an adventure in culinary creativity.

Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate with unexpected zest.

Rustic Spanish influences merge seamlessly with crisp textures that surprise and delight.

Nutty romesco sauce delivers a robust punch of complexity to tender chicken.

Layers of vibrant ingredients promise a sandwich that breaks free from ordinary lunch expectations.

Crisp vegetables and carefully balanced seasonings elevate this dish beyond simple fare.

You’ll want to savor every remarkable bite of this irresistible sandwich creation.

Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich Packed With Flavor

• Craft Crispy Perfection: Panko-coated chicken creates an irresistible crunch that elevates this sandwich from ordinary to extraordinary, delivering a satisfying texture in every bite.
• Unleash Flavor Explosion: Homemade romesco sauce brings a rich, complex Mediterranean-inspired taste with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and almonds, making each sandwich a gourmet experience.
• Quick Gourmet Adventure: Surprisingly simple steps transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality sandwich that looks impressive but doesn't require professional chef skills, perfect for weekend lunches or casual gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows personal touches like swapping greens, adjusting sauce intensity, or adding extra toppings, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients To Prepare Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich

• Chicken Breasts: Tender cuts that serve as the primary protein for the crispy sandwich base.

• Flour, Eggs, Panko Breadcrumbs: Create a golden, crunchy exterior that adds texture and flavor to the chicken cutlets.

• Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Almonds, Garlic: Provide rich, complex flavors for the signature romesco sauce.
• Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, Paprika, Salt: Enhance and balance the sauce's overall taste profile.

• Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Parmesan, Black Pepper: Create a creamy, tangy dressing for the fresh greens.

• Lettuce, Arugula: Add crisp texture and fresh, peppery notes to the sandwich.

• Focaccia: Serves as the robust and flavorful sandwich base.
• Butter, Garlic, Parsley: Provide a rich, aromatic spread for the bread.

• Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty flavor to both the salad and bread topping.

How To Make Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Chicken Cutlets

Slice chicken breasts horizontally into thin cutlets. Create a breading station with flour, whisked egg, and panko breadcrumbs.

Carefully coat each chicken piece by first dredging in flour, dipping in egg, and then covering completely with panko breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Cook each chicken cutlet for approximately 4 minutes per side until the exterior turns crispy and develops a beautiful golden-brown color. Transfer cooked cutlets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Craft Robust Romesco Sauce

• Garlic
• Roasted red bell peppers
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Almonds
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• Salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adjusting consistency with additional olive oil if needed.

Set sauce aside.

Step 4: Create Creamy Salad Mixture

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper

Finely chop lettuce and arugula.

Toss greens in the creamy dressing until completely coated.

Step 5: Prepare Garlic Parmesan Focaccia

Combine softened butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley.

Slice focaccia loaves in half horizontally. Spread garlic butter mixture generously on cut sides.

Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Toast in a pan or under broiler until edges become golden and cheese melts.

Step 6: Build Spectacular Sandwich

Spread a thick layer of romesco sauce on both halves of toasted focaccia. Layer two crispy chicken cutlets on bottom bread.

Top chicken with dressed salad mixture. Complete sandwich by placing top focaccia half over filling.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Wrap sandwich in parchment paper for easy handling. Slice diagonally and serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and warm.

Tips To Nail Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich

• Cut chicken breasts horizontally to ensure even, thin cutlets for consistent crispiness and faster cooking.
• Press panko breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to create a thick, crunchy coating that won't fall off during frying.
• Adjust sauce consistency by adding olive oil gradually; taste and season with extra salt or paprika for deeper flavor.
• Watch focaccia closely while toasting to achieve golden-brown edges without burning the delicate bread.
• Mix dressing ingredients before adding greens to ensure even coating and prevent soggy lettuce.

Variations To Try With Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich

• Vegetarian Romesco Sandwich: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or crispy tofu cutlets, maintaining the same breading technique for a satisfying plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, and use gluten-free focaccia or a sturdy gluten-free bread for the base.
• Mediterranean-Style Variation: Incorporate feta cheese, add kalamata olives to the salad, and replace romesco sauce with tzatziki for a Greek-inspired version of the sandwich.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Infuse the romesco sauce with chipotle peppers, add pepper jack cheese, and include pickled jalapeños for a zesty, southwestern flavor profile.

Pairing Suggestions To Serve With Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich

• – Pair the sandwich with a chilled Spanish Albariño, whose citrusy and mineral notes beautifully cut through the richness of the crispy chicken and creamy romesco sauce.
• – Create a light cucumber and tomato salad with fresh herbs, olive oil, and a touch of red wine vinegar to complement the sandwich's robust Mediterranean flavors.
• – Whip up a quick lemon garlic aioli using mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt as an additional dipping sauce that enhances the sandwich's complex taste profile.

Storing Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich Correctly

• Store sandwich components separately in airtight containers. Keep chicken, romesco sauce, salad, and focaccia bread in different sealed containers to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Warm chicken cutlets in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to restore crunchiness and prevent drying out.
• Quickly refresh focaccia by placing it in a toaster oven or under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning and maintain a golden, crispy texture.
• Keep dressed salad separate and add just before serving to prevent wilting. Mix fresh greens with dressing right before assembling the sandwich to maintain crisp texture.

FAQs

• What is romesco sauce and where does it originate?

Romesco is a traditional Spanish sauce from Catalonia, made with roasted red peppers, tomatoes, garlic, nuts (usually almonds), and olive oil. It has a rich, slightly smoky flavor that adds depth to many dishes.

• Can I use a different type of bread instead of focaccia?

Yes, you can substitute focaccia with ciabatta, sourdough, or a rustic country bread. Just ensure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the crispy chicken and creamy salad.

• Is there a way to make the chicken extra crispy?

For maximum crispiness, double-coat the chicken by repeating the flour-egg-panko process. Also, ensure the oil is hot enough before frying and avoid overcrowding the pan.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor Spanish-inspired Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich with its bold Mediterranean flavors and crispy texture. Delicious layers of grilled chicken, roasted red pepper sauce, and toasted bread create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced horizontally into 4 cutlets

Breading and Base:

• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, whisked
• 2 focaccia loaves (or sandwich-sized pieces)

Flavor Enhancers and Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons olive oil (add more if needed)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jarred roasted red bell peppers
• 4 sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons almonds
• 12 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
• Fresh black pepper, to taste
• 5 grams (0.18 ounces) fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Greens:

• 5 gem lettuce leaves, finely chopped
• Handful of arugula (rocket)
• Parmesan (for grating, as much as you like)

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally into 4 thin, even cutlets, creating a uniform thickness for consistent cooking.
2. Create a three-stage coating station: dust cutlets with flour, dip thoroughly in whisked egg, then generously coat with panko breadcrumbs, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F). Fry each breaded cutlet for approximately 4 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
4. Combine garlic, roasted red bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, and salt in a blender. Pulse until achieving a smooth, creamy romesco sauce, adjusting consistency with additional olive oil if needed.
5. Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Add finely chopped lettuce and arugula, tossing until evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
6. Mince garlic and parsley, mixing thoroughly with softened butter. Slice focaccia loaves horizontally and generously spread garlic-herb butter on each cut side.
7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over buttered focaccia surfaces. Toast in a hot pan or under a broiler until edges turn golden and cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.
8. Layer romesco sauce generously on both toasted focaccia halves, creating a flavorful base for the sandwich.
9. Arrange two crispy chicken cutlets on bottom focaccia half, then pile dressed salad mixture on top of chicken.
10. Crown the sandwich with the remaining focaccia half, pressing gently to secure layers.
11. Wrap sandwich in parchment paper for easy handling, slice diagonally, and serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and crisp.

Notes

• Chicken Preparation Tip: Create uniform cutlets by using a meat mallet to gently pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap, ensuring even cooking and crispy breading.
• Breading Technique: Press panko breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to achieve maximum crunchiness, letting each coating layer rest for 5 minutes before cooking to help adhesion.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with rice flour or cornstarch, and use gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free crackers for the breading to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Healthier Alternative: Replace traditional breadcrumbs with almond meal or ground nuts for a lower-carb version that adds extra protein and nutty flavor to the chicken coating.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg