its all in the sauce! watch full video here
I’ll take a good- or GREAT sandwich any day. This sandwich checks off every box when it comes to what I crave. From fresh basil to a creamy tomato sauce, all on toasted ciabatta. I’m all in.
The chicken is perfectly crisp with this panko and parmesan crust. They turn out the best when using thinly sliced breast. The sauce has so much goodness- shallots, garlic, tomato paste, pepper paste, heavy cream, spices, and sugar- YES, sugar! its the key to achieve the hint of sweetness a sauce needs. Then all thrown into a processor until creamy smooth. You’re ready to assemble.
You can always leave the mozzarella fresh- as is. Or if you’re itching to use your torch like I was- TORCH IT! (seen in video linked above)
CREAMY TOMATO CHICKEN SANDWICH
Equipment
- blender/processor for sauce
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 4 chicken breast thinly sliced
- salt and black pepper seasoned on both sides
FLOUR MIX
- ½ cup flour AP
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried basil
- salt + black pepper sprinkle
EGG WASH
- 2 eggs
PANKO MIX
- 1 cup panko
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
SAUCE
- oil drizzle
- 1 shallot diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ¼ cup pepper paste (hot or mild)
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp sugar one more TBSP if using hot pepper paste
- ½ cup heavy cream
CIABBATA BREAD
GARNISH
- fresh mozzarella
- fresh basil
Instructions
CHICKEN
- season both sides of thin chicken breast with salt and pepper
CREATE 3 PLATES/BOWLS for coating
- one plate with just AP flour and its seasoning (mixed)
- one plate with just egg wash
- one plate with panko and parmesan mix
- dip seasoned chicken breast into seasoned flour, then egg wash, then panic mix
- cook in pan with oil on both sides for 4-5 minutes on medium heat until GOLDEN on both sides. set aside
SAUCE
- in a pan add oil, shallots, and garlic until sautéed down.
- add pepper paste and tomato paste. mix well
- add seasoning. mix well
- add cream.
- place sauce into a blender/processor until smooth
CIABBATA
- slice, drizzle olive oil, and toast
ASSEMBLE
- on toasted bread lay out a piece of chicken
- top with sauce ( go extra )
- add fresh mozzarella (you can keep this as is or broil/melt it down a tiny bit)
- top with fresh basil
