Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Basil Sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano
Recipe Name: Il Ricercato
Category: Main Dishes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 300g |
| Hamburger buns | 4 |
| Arugula (rucola) | 40g |
| Parmigiano Reggiano DOP | 80g |
| Tomatoes | 4 |
| All-purpose flour | 200g |
| Water | 330g |
| Light beer | 50g |
| Lemon zest | 1 |
| Salt | to taste |
| Marjoram | to taste |
| Thyme | to taste |
| White pepper | to taste |
| Semolina flour | for coating |
| Coarse dry breadcrumbs | for coating |
| Sunflower seed oil | for frying (220g) |
| Egg yolk | 1 |
| White wine vinegar | 10g |
| Fresh basil | 5g |
Preparation Steps
-
Make the Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with lemon zest, salt, marjoram, thyme, and white pepper. Gradually add the water and light beer, whisking until smooth. The batter should be lump-free and smooth. -
-
Prepare the Chicken:
Take the chicken breast and slice it into two thin pieces, about 1 cm thick. Then, cut each of these slices into squares to create small chicken cutlets. -
Coat the Chicken:
Coat each chicken piece in semolina flour, ensuring it is fully covered. Next, dip the flour-covered pieces into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Once done, transfer the battered chicken pieces to a baking dish filled with coarse dry breadcrumbs. Coat each side thoroughly and place them on a tray. Repeat for the remaining chicken pieces to make a total of four breaded cutlets. Let the chicken rest while you move on to the next step. -
Prepare the Basil Sauce:
For the basil sauce, first thinly slice the fresh basil leaves and then finely chop them. In a large bowl, combine the egg yolk with white wine vinegar. Begin to whisk with an electric mixer. Slowly drizzle in the sunflower oil while continuing to whisk, until the mixture emulsifies and forms a thick, stable sauce. Add salt to taste and fold in the chopped basil. Set the sauce aside. -
Fry the Chicken:
Heat the sunflower oil in a pan over medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature of 170-180°C. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chicken cutlets and fry them until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the cutlets from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. -
Prepare the Buns:
While the chicken is frying, slice the hamburger buns in half and place them on a baking sheet, cut side up. Once the chicken is nearly ready, place the buns in the oven and bake for 3-4 minutes, or until they are lightly toasted and golden. -
Assemble the Dish:
Once everything is ready, take one half of the toasted bun and place it on a plate. Start by adding a fried chicken cutlet to the base, then top with 10g of arugula, 20g of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, and a slice of tomato (approximately 0.5 cm thick). Drizzle a spoonful of the basil sauce on top of the tomato slice. Finally, close the sandwich with the top half of the bun. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the “Il Ricercato” sandwiches immediately while the chicken is still hot and crispy. Enjoy the delicious combination of crispy chicken, tangy basil sauce, and fresh ingredients in every bite!
This vibrant, crispy chicken sandwich packs all the flavors of Italy into a perfect meal. With the delicate crunch of the breaded chicken, the peppery freshness of arugula, and the creamy richness of Parmigiano Reggiano, every bite of “Il Ricercato” is bound to delight your taste buds.
