Crispy Chicken Naan-Wiches with Sweet Date and Spiced Yogurt Sauces
Elevate your mealtime with these Crispy Chicken Naan-Wiches, inspired by a delicious recipe from Jessie Grearson, a 2009 Finalist in the National Chicken Cooking Contest. This innovative dish features perfectly pounded and seasoned chicken breasts, coated with a crispy panko exterior, and served in warm naan bread. Complemented by a rich Sweet Date Sauce and a refreshing Spiced Yogurt Raita, these sandwiches are packed with a vibrant medley of flavors. Perfect for lunch or dinner, these naan-wiches are not only satisfying but also a delightful twist on traditional sandwiches, sure to please the entire family.
4
Servings
300
Calories
33
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
2 (Pounded to 1/4 inch thickness)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Pepper
1 teaspoon, divided (For seasoning)
Panko Breadcrumbs
1 1/4 cups (Mixed with spices)
Ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon (For coating chicken)
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (For coating chicken)
Garam Masala
1/2 teaspoon (For coating chicken)
All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cup, divided (For dredging chicken)
Large Egg
1 (For egg wash)
Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons (For egg wash)
Paprika
1/2 teaspoon (For egg wash)
Olive Oil
3 tablespoons, divided (For frying chicken)
Butter
2 tablespoons, divided (For frying chicken)
Naan Bread
4 (For making sandwiches)
Garlic Cloves
2 (Minced)
Medium Tomatoes
2 (Sliced)
Boston Lettuce Leaves
4 (For sandwich filling)
Dried Dates
5 ounces (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Tamarind Paste
1 teaspoon (Alternatively, use 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice)
Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Additional Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Additional Cumin
1 teaspoon (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Additional Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Lemon Juice
3 teaspoons (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Water
2 tablespoons (For Sweet Date Sauce)
Plain Yogurt
1 cup (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Fresh Cilantro
1 cup, lightly packed (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Finely Grated Carrot
1/4 cup (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Finely Minced Sweet Onion
1 cup (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Grated Cucumber
1/2 cup (Drained for Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Cayenne
1/4 teaspoon (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For Spiced Yogurt Raita)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the chicken: Cut each chicken breast horizontally, stopping 1/2 inch from the edge. Open each breast and pound until they are roughly 1/4 inch thick, ensuring they fit within the naan bread. Season both sides with salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
2
In a large pie plate, combine panko breadcrumbs, cumin, cayenne, garam masala, and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of pepper.
3
In another pie plate, add 1/2 cup of flour. In a third plate, whisk the egg and mayonnaise with paprika before mixing in the remaining 3/4 cup of flour until smooth.
4
Coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, ensuring full coverage, and then press into the panko mixture until coated evenly. Repeat this with both chicken breasts.
5
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken and cook for about 2 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
6
Wipe the skillet clean, then add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Briefly warm the naan in the garlic oil, flipping once until soft and golden.
7
Assembling the Naan-Wiches: Place one cooked chicken breast on each naan, then layer with tomato slices, lettuce, and a generous tablespoon of both Sweet Date Sauce and Spiced Yogurt Raita. Top with the remaining naan bread and cut each sandwich into quarters.
8
For the Sweet Date Sauce: In a saucepan, simmer dried dates in 1 1/2 cups of water for about 15 minutes until soft. Allow to cool slightly, then blend the dates with the water until smooth. Add tamarind paste, brown sugar, salt, cumin, pepper, lemon juice, and the additional 2 tablespoons of water; blend again until smooth.
9
For the Spiced Yogurt Raita: In a small food processor, combine yogurt and cilantro until pale green with finely blended cilantro. Transfer to a bowl and stir in grated carrot, minced sweet onion, drained grated cucumber, ground cumin, cayenne, and salt. Mix well.
10
Serve the Naan-Wiches with additional Sweet Date and Spiced Yogurt Sauces on the side for dipping.
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
37.5
Carbs
32.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Chicken Naan-Wiches?
Crispy Chicken Naan-Wiches are a flavorful twist on traditional sandwiches featuring pounded, panko-crusted chicken breasts served on warm naan with Sweet Date Sauce and Spiced Yogurt Raita.
Who created this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by Jessie Grearson, a 2009 Finalist in the National Chicken Cooking Contest.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
Chicken breasts should be cut horizontally, opened, and pounded to approximately 1/4 inch thickness to ensure they fit properly on the naan and cook evenly.
What spices are used in the chicken breading?
The panko breading is seasoned with cumin, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and black pepper.
What is in the egg wash for the chicken?
The egg wash consists of a whisked egg mixed with mayonnaise, paprika, and flour for a smooth consistency.
What is the recommended internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How long do you cook the chicken in the skillet?
The chicken should be cooked for about 2 minutes on each side in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
How is the naan bread prepared?
The naan is briefly warmed in a skillet with garlic-infused oil and butter until it is soft and golden.
What are the main components of the Sweet Date Sauce?
The sauce includes dried dates, tamarind paste, brown sugar, salt, cumin, pepper, and lemon juice.
What can I use as a substitute for tamarind paste?
You can substitute 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste with 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
How long do you simmer the dates for the sauce?
The dried dates should be simmered in water for about 15 minutes until they are soft.
What ingredients are in the Spiced Yogurt Raita?
The raita is made with yogurt, fresh cilantro, grated carrot, minced sweet onion, grated cucumber, cumin, cayenne, and salt.
Why is the cilantro blended with the yogurt?
Blending the cilantro and yogurt in a food processor creates a pale green base with finely incorporated herbs.
Should the cucumber be prepared a certain way for the raita?
Yes, the grated cucumber should be drained of excess liquid before being added to the raita to maintain the sauce's consistency.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What are the suggested sandwich toppings?
The sandwiches are topped with sliced medium tomatoes and Boston lettuce leaves.
How is the sandwich assembled?
Place a chicken breast on naan, add tomato, lettuce, and a tablespoon of both sauces, then top with another naan and cut into quarters.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
There are 32.5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 10 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 37.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of breadcrumbs are best for this recipe?
Panko breadcrumbs are used to achieve a light and crispy exterior on the chicken.
What type of oil and fat are used for frying?
A combination of olive oil and butter is used to fry the chicken and warm the naan.
Can I serve the sauces on the side?
Yes, it is recommended to serve additional Sweet Date and Spiced Yogurt Sauces on the side for dipping.
What type of onion is best for the raita?
Finely minced sweet onion is recommended for the Spiced Yogurt Raita.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and easy recipe suitable for family dinners.
What kind of lettuce is recommended?
Boston lettuce leaves are specifically suggested for the sandwich filling.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 33 ingredients in total for the chicken, sauces, and sandwich assembly.
What cuisine style does this recipe reflect?
The recipe is described as Mediterranean-inspired with a creative cooking twist.
What is the purpose of the garlic in the recipe?
The minced garlic is sautéed in the skillet to flavor the oil and butter used to warm the naan bread.