Name: Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Sandwich with Cucumber Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts (cut into halves lengthwise and slightly pounded out); ½ cup all-purpose flour (can use 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; 1 avocado (halved, seed removed, flesh scooped out); ½ cup cilantro; 1 Tbsp adobo sauce; 3 Tbsp lime juice; 1 Tbsp honey; ½ cup sour cream; ¼ tsp black pepper; Salt (to taste); 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; 4 Tbsp avocado oil; 6 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro; 1 cup lime juice; ¼ cup honey; ½ tsp salt

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Introduction

This Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Sandwich offers a delightful combination of crunchy chicken, tangy cucumber salad, and a creamy cilantro lime sauce. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer or oven, it’s a fresh and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare in about 40 minutes.

Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Sandwich with Cucumber Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts (cut into halves lengthwise and slightly pounded out)
½ cup all-purpose flour (can use 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)
4 bread rolls of your choice (toasted if desired)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 avocado (cut in half, seed removed, and flesh scooped out)
½ cup cilantro
1 Tbsp adobo sauce
3 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp honey
½ cup sour cream
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt (to taste)
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
4 Tbsp avocado oil
6 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup lime juice
¼ cup honey
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp chipotle powder
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves (grated)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the sandwich sauce by combining olive oil, avocado, cilantro, adobo sauce, lime juice, honey, sour cream, and black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth, then add salt to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 2: Prepare the cucumber salad by mixing mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Add sliced cucumber, jalapeno, and chopped cabbage, then toss to coat. Set aside.
Step 3: Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, salt, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder; one with beaten eggs; and one with crushed cornflakes. Dredge each chicken piece first in flour, then eggs, and finally coat with cornflakes.
Step 4: Cook the chicken by air frying at 360ºF for 14-16 minutes or bake on a foil-lined, sprayed baking sheet at 425ºF for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
Step 5: While the chicken cooks, prepare the coating sauce by heating avocado oil, cilantro, lime juice, honey, salt, pepper, chipotle powder, red pepper flakes, and grated garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Reduce for about 5 minutes until thickened into a syrup.
Step 6: Coat the cooked chicken breasts with the prepared sauce in the skillet. Assemble the sandwiches by placing the coated chicken on the rolls, then topping with cucumber salad and the refrigerated sandwich sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, toast the bread rolls before assembling.
Adjust the amount of jalapeno and red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
Use gluten-free flour and cornflakes to make the recipe gluten-free.
Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter sandwich sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover chicken, sauce, and cucumber salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer to restore crispiness before assembling fresh sandwiches. Avoid storing assembled sandwiches to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sandwich without an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 425ºF for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, to achieve a crispy texture without an air fryer.

Is the sandwich sauce spicy?

The sauce has a mild heat from the adobo sauce and spices, but the level can be adjusted by reducing or omitting spicy ingredients like chipotle powder and red pepper flakes.