Making a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch is a satisfying and easy endeavor. This recipe focuses on simple ingredients and techniques to create a flavorful and juicy sandwich.
We’ll start by preparing some quick pickled onions. Slice a red onion from stem to root, creating thin and attractive slices. Place the slices in a mason jar. Fill the jar halfway with water and the other half with white vinegar. Add a pinch of kosher salt and sugar. Heat this mixture in a pan until it simmers, then pour it over the onions in the jar.
Next, prepare the chicken marinade. Mayonnaise serves as a fantastic base for marinades, creating a beautiful sear on the meat. Mix mayonnaise with hot sauce, cumin seeds, salt, and pepper. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, lightly trimming any excess fat and flattening them slightly for even cooking. Coat the chicken thighs in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, although you can cook them immediately if desired.
While the chicken marinates, prepare the other sandwich components. Thinly sliced tomatoes add juiciness, crisp romaine lettuce provides freshness, and sharp cheddar cheese offers a tangy counterpoint to the other flavors. Soft brioche buns are the perfect vessel for holding all these delicious ingredients.
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and place it in the hot skillet. Sear the chicken for three to four minutes per side, allowing a delicious brown crust to develop. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts and less prone to overcooking, ensuring a juicy final product. While the chicken cooks, toast the brioche buns.
To assemble the sandwich, place the seared chicken thigh on the bottom bun, allowing its juices to soak in. Layer the thinly sliced tomatoes on the chicken, followed by a generous helping of the quick pickled onions. Add a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and top with crisp romaine lettuce. Finally, place the top bun on the sandwich.
This grilled chicken sandwich is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The juicy chicken, tangy onions, crisp lettuce, sharp cheese, and soft bun create a symphony of deliciousness. No extra sauce is needed, as the ingredients themselves provide ample flavor.
