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Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Sandwich (Air-Fried or Oven Baked) Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 109 reviews

This Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Sandwich offers a delightful combination of crunchy air-fried or oven-baked chicken breasts coated in a flavorful cornflake crust, complemented by a creamy cilantro lime sauce and a tangy cucumber salad. Perfectly balanced with bright lime and smoky chipotle notes, this sandwich is a fresh, vibrant meal ideal for a quick lunch or casual dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 2 chicken breasts (cut into halves lengthwise and slightly pounded out)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 cup cornflakes (lightly crushed)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

For the Sandwich

  • 4 bread rolls of your choice (toasted if desired)
  • 1 avocado (cut in half, seed removed, flesh scooped out)
  • ½ cup cilantro (fresh)
  • 1 Tbsp adobo sauce
  • 3 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste

For the Cucumber Salad

  • ½ large English cucumber (thinly sliced)
  • 1 jalapeno (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup cabbage (thinly sliced and chopped)
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

For the Chicken Sauce

  • 4 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 6 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup lime juice
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp chipotle powder
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 garlic cloves (grated)

Instructions

  1. Make the sandwich sauce: Combine olive oil, avocado flesh, cilantro, adobo sauce, lime juice, honey, sour cream, and black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth, then season with salt to taste. Pour the sauce into a jar or bottle and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Prepare the cucumber salad: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Add sliced cucumber, jalapeno, and chopped cabbage. Toss to coat all vegetables evenly and set aside.
  3. Set up breading stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour mixed with salt, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder; one with beaten eggs; and one with crushed cornflakes.
  4. Bread the chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with crushed cornflakes.
  5. Cook the chicken: For air frying, place the chicken pieces in the air fryer at 360ºF (182ºC) for 14-16 minutes until golden and cooked through, flipping halfway. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC), place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet sprayed lightly with cooking spray, and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC).
  6. Prepare the chicken sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine avocado oil, finely chopped cilantro, lime juice, honey, salt, pepper, chipotle powder, red pepper flakes, and grated garlic. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens to a syrup-like consistency, about 5 minutes.
  7. Coat the cooked chicken: Add the hot crispy chicken pieces into the skillet with the sauce and turn to coat both sides well in the thickened sauce.
  8. Assemble the sandwiches: Place coated chicken breasts on toasted bread rolls, top with generous spoonfuls of the cucumber salad and finish with the creamy cilantro lime sandwich sauce. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Crushing cornflakes finely is key to a crispy coating on the chicken.
  • Adjust the amount of jalapeno and red pepper flakes based on desired spice level.
  • The sandwich sauce can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • If using the oven method, line the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  • Make sure chicken is cooked through by checking it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
  • Use fresh lime juice for the best bright and tangy flavor.

Keywords: Cilantro lime chicken sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, air fried chicken, oven baked chicken sandwich, creamy chicken sandwich, cucumber salad sandwich, chipotle chicken sandwich

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/crispy-cilantro-lime-chicken-sandwich-air-fried-or-oven-baked-recipe/