An Inspired Cook

I had this sandwich in mind when I made the Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon.  It may be the ultimate chicken sandwich with so many layers of flavors to tempt your taste buds.  The grilled chicken is seasoned with some chiles and spice.  Then I topped it with a thick slice of tomato that’s been warmed on the grill, 3 slices of brown sugar bacon and an avocado cilantro mayo that brings it all together.  And just one more thing, add some candied jalapenos on the side.  It gives this sandwich a little kick of sweet heat.  Here’s another idea, add olive oil to any leftover avocado cilantro mayo to make a salad dressing.  Drizzled over a grilled chicken salad with brown sugar bacon crumbled on top would taste so good!

Start by making the mayo so it has time for all the flavors to blend.  You’ll need mayonnaise, an avocado, cilantro, garlic, lime juice and salt.

I used a hand blender but you can blend the ingredients by hand or even use a small food processor.  I measured out 1/2 cup mayo and added diced avocado to my blender cup.

I roughly chopped about 1/4 cup of cilantro and added to the mix along with the salt, grated garlic and juice of 1/2 lime.

A hand blender mixes the mayo in jut a few seconds.   If mixing by hand, chop the cilantro really fine and whisk it all together.

Refrigerate until you make your sandwich.

Since it’s a bit chilly outside I grilled this chicken breast on my cast iron grill on top of the stove. Sprinkle with your favorite spice blend, drizzle with olive oil and grill approx 5 – 7 minutes on each side over high heat.

A warm thick slice of tomato also makes this sandwich special.  Just place on your heated grill or any skillet for that matter.  Drizzle each slice with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and grill a minute or two on each side, just long enough to heat through.

Toast a bun and melt some jalapeno jack cheese.

I sliced the chicken to make it go a little further.  Lay the grilled chicken on top of the melted cheese.

Next comes the warm tomato slice and 3 slices of brown sugar bacon.  Slather some avocado cilantro mayo on the top bun.  And don’t forget the candied jalapenos on the side.  They just add a hint of sweetness with a little kick.





Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon and Avocado Cilantro Mayo

Avocado Cilantro Mayo

1 whole Avocado, peeled, seeded and diced
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Cilantro, roughly chopped
1 clove Garlic, grated on a microplane grater
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Juice of 1/2 Lime

Combine all ingredients and blend with a hand blender.  If blending together by hand, chop the cilantro fine and whisk ingredients together.

Spice Mix

1 teaspoon Ancho Chile, ground
1 teaspoon Guajillo Chile, ground
1 teaspoon Green Chile Salt (2 parts sea salt ground, 1 part green chile powder)
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Coriander
1/4 teaspoon Chile de Arbol

Combine all spices together.  Any unused rub can be stored in a plastic zip lock bag for later use.

3 – 4 Chicken Breasts
4 Deli Buns
4 ounces Jalapeno Jack Cheese, grated
4 slices Tomato, sliced thick
6 slices Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon, cut in half
Candied Jalapenos, optional

Heat a cast iron grill over high heat.  Sprinkle chicken breast with spice mix and drizzle with olive oil.  Grill chicken approx 5 – 7 minutes on each side.  Drizzle tomato slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place tomato slices on the hot grill for a minute or two just long enough to heat through.  Toast deli buns with grated jalapeno jack cheese.  Slice chicken breasts and layer on sandwich with warm tomato slice, 3 slices of spicy brown sugar bacon and a slather of avocado cilantro mayo.  Add candied jalapenos on the side.

Makes 4 sandwiches.