There are sandwiches… and then there are sandwiches. You know, the kind that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate how ridiculously good it is. This Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich is one of those. It’s got everything you want—crispy, golden chicken, a creamy and smoky romesco sauce, a fresh and zesty salad, and buttery, garlicky focaccia that’s toasted to perfection. If you’ve been searching for your next go-to homemade sandwich, trust me, this is it.

Now, let’s talk about why this sandwich is extra special.

First, the crispy chicken. We’re talking about perfectly breaded, golden-brown cutlets that are juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Then, there’s the romesco sauce—a Spanish-inspired, smoky, and slightly tangy blend of roasted red peppers, almonds, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to put on everything. And to balance out all that richness, we’re tossing up a crisp, lemony lettuce and arugula salad for a fresh contrast.

But the real MVP? The garlic-Parmesan toasted focaccia. It soaks up the romesco sauce while staying crispy on the outside, making every bite a dream.

Hungry yet? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Prepping the Crispy Chicken

To get that perfect crunch, we’re going with a classic flour-egg-breadcrumbs coating. The flour helps the egg stick, and the egg ensures the panko creates that golden, crispy exterior.

What You’ll Need for the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced horizontally into 4 thin cutlets
• 50g all-purpose flour
• 50g panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, whisked
• 2 tbsp olive oil

How to Make It:

1. Slice the chicken: Start by carefully slicing each chicken breast horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. This helps the chicken cook evenly and quickly.
2. Dredging time! First, coat each piece of chicken in flour. Shake off any excess.
3. Dip in the egg: This will help the breadcrumbs stick.
4. Coat with panko breadcrumbs: Press the chicken firmly into the breadcrumbs to get a nice even coating.

Cooking the Chicken

Now that our chicken is coated and ready, let’s fry it up:

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
3. Once done, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

And just like that, we’ve got crispy perfection! Now, let’s move on to the magic sauce that ties this whole sandwich together—romesco.

Step 2: Making the Romesco Sauce

If you’ve never had romesco sauce before, prepare to fall in love. It’s smoky, slightly tangy, nutty, and incredibly creamy. Plus, it’s super easy to make—all you need is a blender or food processor.

What You’ll Need for the Sauce:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 jarred roasted red bell peppers
• 4 sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tbsp almonds
• ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 4 tbsp olive oil (add more if needed)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp kosher salt

How to Make It:

1. Toss everything into a blender or food processor—garlic, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, and salt.
2. Blend until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little more olive oil until you get a creamy consistency.
3. Taste and adjust. Need more tang? Add a splash more vinegar. Want it richer? More olive oil will do the trick.

Step 3: Prepping the Crisp, Creamy Salad

This salad is simple yet essential. It’s a mix of gem lettuce and arugula (a.k.a. rocket, for my UK friends), coated in a creamy, lemony dressing with just the right amount of Parmesan. It’s fresh, bright, and adds a delicious contrast to the crispy chicken.

What You’ll Need for the Salad:

• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
• Fresh black pepper, to taste
• 5 gem lettuce leaves, finely chopped
• Handful of arugula (rocket)

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan, and a good pinch of black pepper. This dressing is creamy, tangy, and packed with umami flavor from the Parmesan.
2. Toss in the chopped gem lettuce and arugula, making sure everything is well coated.
3. Set it aside while we prepare the focaccia—this way, the flavors can meld together.

Now, let’s talk bread. Because a sandwich is only as good as the bread it’s built on.

Step 4: Toasting the Garlic-Butter Parmesan Focaccia

Focaccia is the ultimate sandwich bread—it’s soft, chewy, and has just the right amount of crispiness when toasted. But we’re taking things up a notch by slathering it with garlic butter and Parmesan before toasting. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

What You’ll Need for the Focaccia:

• 2 focaccia loaves (or sandwich-sized pieces)
• 4 tbsp butter, room temperature
• 5g fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Parmesan (for grating, as much as you like)

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until well combined.
2. Slice your focaccia loaves in half and spread the garlic butter mixture generously on both cut sides.
3. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated Parmesan on top.
4. Toast in a pan over medium heat or under a broiler for a couple of minutes until the bread is golden and bubbly.

Now we’ve got crispy, buttery, garlicky focaccia—basically, a game-changer for this sandwich.

Step 5: Assembling the Ultimate Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich

Now for the best part—putting it all together! This is where all those incredible flavors and textures come together for one unforgettable sandwich experience.

How to Assemble:

1. Spread a generous layer of romesco sauce on both cut sides of the toasted focaccia. Don’t be shy—this sauce is the flavor bomb of the sandwich!
2. Layer on the crispy chicken cutlets. Two per sandwich for the ultimate crunch.
3. Top with the creamy, zesty salad. Pile it on—it adds freshness and balance.
4. Place the top half of the focaccia over the filling, pressing down gently so everything holds together.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make the romesco sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, romesco sauce actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours because the flavors have time to meld. You can make it up to 5 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before using!

2. What can I use instead of focaccia?

If you don’t have focaccia on hand, you can swap it out for ciabatta, sourdough, or even a sturdy baguette. Just make sure it’s a bread that can hold up to the crispy chicken and saucy goodness.

3. How do I keep the chicken crispy?

The key to keeping the chicken crunchy is not to stack or cover it right after frying. Instead, place it on a wire rack so air can circulate around it. If you need to reheat, pop it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes—this will crisp it back up without drying it out.

4. Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes! If you’d rather bake than fry, place the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. It won’t be quite as crispy as frying, but it’s still delicious!

5. Is there a nut-free alternative for the romesco sauce?

Yes! If you need to skip the almonds, you can use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar texture. Alternatively, you can leave them out entirely—the sauce will still be full of bold flavors.

6. What’s the best way to store leftovers?

For best results, store the components separately:

• Chicken: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Romesco sauce: Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Focaccia: Best eaten fresh, but can be wrapped in foil and stored at room temperature for a day.
• Salad: Best made fresh, but if you need to prep ahead, store the dressing separately from the greens.

7. Can I make this into a meal prep-friendly recipe?

Definitely! If you want to meal prep, you can bread and cook the chicken ahead of time, prep the romesco sauce, and make the garlic butter. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the chicken, toast the bread, and assemble.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Sandwich You Need to Try

And there you have it—the Crunchy Chicken Romesco Sandwich in all its crispy, saucy, garlicky glory. Every bite is packed with texture and flavor, from the juicy chicken to the creamy romesco sauce to the fresh, zesty salad. It’s the kind of sandwich that’s perfect for a weekend lunch, a cozy dinner, or even an impressive meal for friends and family.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, whip up this sandwich, and prepare for sandwich perfection. And if you do make it, let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear if you added any fun twists or variations.

Happy cooking—and even happier eating!

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