Peri Peri Chicken Sandwich
This Nando's style chicken sandwich is super spicy, stupidly saucy and absolutely loaded with flavour!
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Servings (click & slide): 4 sandwiches
Calories per serving: 715kcal
Cost per serving: £3 / $4
Equipment
- Rolling Pin/Mallet & Cling Film (for pounding chicken)
- Griddle Pan & Tongs (or cast iron skillet/regular frying pan)
- Medium Sized Mixing Bowl or Large Shallow Dish (for seasoning chicken)
- Paper Towels (for halloumi)
- Brush and Small Pot (for sauce)
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Ingredients
Peri Peri Chicken
- 4 large boneless skinless Chicken Thighs, preferably brought close to room temp (5oz/150g-7oz/200g per thigh)
- 1/3 cup / 80ml Peri Peri Sauce, or as needed (spice level of choice)
- 2 tbsp Peri Peri Seasoning (see notes)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
Sandwich
- 14oz / 400g block of Halloumi, diced into 12 wedges & patted dry (3 per sandwich)
- 4 Burger Buns or Soft Rolls, halved & toasted
- 2 small Red Onions, peeled & sliced into thin rings
- 4 heaped tsp Mayo
- 4 heaped tsp Chilli Jam (see notes)
- 4 pinches of Rocket/Arugula
Instructions
- One by one, lay the thighs on a chopping board with a sheet of cling film over and pound them until even thickness, but not so thin they start breaking apart.
- Combine in a large shallow dish or medium-sized mixing bowl with 2 tbsp peri peri seasoning and 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Add to a griddle pan or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Fry until it begins to char (4-5mins), then flip and brush with peri peri sauce. Continue frying until charred on the second side and piping hot through the centre. Place sauce-side-down on a plate and brush the other side with sauce.
- Remove any chunks of char from the pan with your tongs and leave the fat in the pan. Keep on a medium heat and add halloumi strips. Fry both sides until deep golden, lightly charred and soft to touch. Remove from pan.
- Stack sandwich in this order: bottom bun, chilli jam, halloumi, red onion, chicken, rocket/arugula, top bun with mayo spread on it. Tuck in and enjoy!
Quick Demo
Notes
a) Chicken - Thighs are best because they're fattier and grill much easier without drying out. You can use breast (same weight - 5oz/150g-7oz/200g per breast), you'll still want to cover and pound, or you can butterfly them. Also just reduce the cooking time slightly. In all cases just make sure you're not frying the chicken straight out the fridge otherwise it'll seize up and go chewy.
b) Peri Peri Seasoning - If you're in the UK you'll find this in the spice section at most supermarkets. Or, you can use a Nando's rub (spice level to preference) which is usually in the sauce section. The seasoning is usually already pretty salty, but you can dab your finger in the before seasoning the chicken and test if you want to add more salt (I wouldn't go over 1/2 tsp!).
c) Burger buns - To toast the buns preferably add them to the same pan you cooked the halloumi/chicken in. Or, you can use a separate pan or toast under the grill.
d) Halloumi - If you don't have or like halloumi you can use a cheese of your choice! If it's melty cheese like cheddar, I recommend adding it to the chicken as it rests so the residual heat melts it slightly.
e) Chilli Jam - This is a classic Nando's condiment and packs even more spice into the sandwich. You'll typically find it in the jam section, or close to the sauce section with all the Nando's ingredients (they sell their own branded chilli jam).
f) How spicy is this sandwich? - I use medium spice sauce and it comes out spicier than you'd think, just because you've got the seasoning AND chilli jam. I'd probably go down a notch from what sauce you're used to (so use medium if you usually go hot).
g) Calories - per sandwich:
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
Nutrition Facts
Peri Peri Chicken Sandwich
Amount Per Serving
Calories 715
Calories from Fat 339
% Daily Value*
Fat 37.68g58%
Saturated Fat 16.264g102%
Trans Fat 0.035g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.124g
Monounsaturated Fat 14.33g
Cholesterol 220mg73%
Sodium 1756mg76%
Potassium 635mg18%
Carbohydrates 34.09g11%
Fiber 2.3g10%
Sugar 9.22g10%
Protein 56.64g113%
Vitamin A 1021IU20%
Vitamin C 17.4mg21%
Calcium 607mg61%
Iron 3.71mg21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
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